Entry
ボロボロ
boroboro
Describes something that is severely worn out, objects crumbling or falling in large drops, or being physically and mentally exhausted.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word applies to three main situations: physical objects like clothes or buildings that are battered and falling apart; substances like soil crumbling or large tears falling rapidly; and a figurative state where a person's body or mind is pushed past its limits, leaving them completely worn out.
- Severely worn-out or tattered objects
- Crumbling or falling in large drops
- Extreme physical or mental exhaustion
Sense Map
Tattered and Worn-out
Used for physical items such as clothing, books, or shoes that are severely damaged, torn, or aged beyond normal use.
ボロボロの服
Falling and Crumbling
Describes solid objects breaking into crumbs, or liquids like tears dropping heavily.
涙がボロボロこぼれる
Extreme Exhaustion
Used figuratively for people who are physically or emotionally broken down, usually from intense stress or overwork.
身も心もボロボロ
Usage Note
How to Use
ボロボロになる
Means 'to become worn out' or 'to become completely exhausted'. Used to show a change into this deteriorated state.
ボロボロの + Noun
Acts as an adjective to describe a noun directly, such as 'tattered clothes' or 'a battered book'.
ボロボロと + Verb
Functions as an adverb, often paired with verbs meaning to fall, spill, or crumble.
ボロボロだ
How to Use
Common Phrases
ボロボロになる
to become worn out / battered
ボロボロの服
ragged / tattered clothes
ボロボロとこぼれる
to spill / fall in drops
身も心もボロボロ
physically and mentally worn out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing objects | negative | Indicates the object is basically ruined, though it can affectionately show that something was used heavily and well. |
| Describing physical/mental state | negative | Conveys a dramatic level of exhaustion or emotional damage, implying the person is near a breaking point. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くたくた くたくた / similar | Use when you have simply lost your physical energy and feel limp, like after a long walk. | ボロボロ implies a much more severe level of damage, feeling 'beaten up' or mentally shattered, not just lacking energy. | くたくたに疲れる |
ぽろぽろ ぽろぽろ / similar | Use for light tears, small dry crumbs, or small things falling off one by one. | ボロボロ describes larger pieces, heavier dropping, or more dramatic crumbling. | 涙がぽろぽろ落ちる |
よれよれ よれよれ / similar | Use for fabrics or clothing that have lost their shape and are stretched out or wrinkly. | ボロボロ means physically ripped, torn, or destroyed, whereas ヨレヨレ just means out of shape. | ヨレヨレのシャツ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to mean 'sleepy' at the end of a normal day.
This word is too intense for normal tiredness. Only use it if you are absolutely drained or destroyed by extreme overwork or hardship.
Using it to describe light rain.
It is used for tears or dry crumbling things, not for weather phenomena like rain.
Examples
Examples
古いノートはすっかりボロボロだ。
ふるいノートはすっかりボロボロだ。
The old notebook is completely battered.
VisualShows physical damage from heavy use.
涙がボロボロとこぼれ落ちた。
なみだがボロボロとこぼれおちた。
Tears fell heavily in large drops.
VisualDescribes large tears falling unstoppably.
毎日残業で、体も心もボロボロです。
まいにちざんぎょうで、からだもこころもボロボロです。
Due to working overtime every day, my body and mind are completely exhausted.
FigurativeFigurative use for extreme exhaustion and stress.
クッキーがボロボロと崩れた。
クッキーがボロボロとくずれた。
The cookie crumbled into pieces.
LiteralUsed for brittle solid objects breaking apart.
ボロボロになった靴をまだ履いている。
ボロボロになったくつをまだはいている。
I'm still wearing shoes that have become completely worn out.
VisualFocuses on the change of state (becoming worn out).
Similar Words
くたくた
kutakuta
Describes being completely exhausted, clothing that has become soft and worn out from use, or food boiled until it is mushy. Both mean exhausted, but kutakuta is just a loss of physical energy, whereas boroboro implies being severely battered or pushed past limits.
ぽろぽろ
poroporo
Describes large drops (like tears) or small, granular objects falling continuously and relatively quietly. Both describe falling drops or crumbs. Poroporo is lighter and smaller, whereas boroboro describes larger drops or heavier crumbling.
ヨレヨレ
yoreyore
Describes something that has lost its original shape and become worn-out (like old clothes), or someone who is physically exhausted. Both describe old clothes. Yoreyore means stretched out of shape, while boroboro means actually torn and heavily damaged.
Questions
Can I use 'boroboro' if I am tired from studying?
Only if you have studied for days without sleep and feel completely broken. For normal fatigue, use 'tsukareta' or 'kutakuta'.
What is the difference between 'boroboro' and 'poroporo'?
'Poroporo' is for small drops or crumbs falling lightly. 'Boroboro' is heavier, meaning larger tears or more severe crumbling.
Is it okay to describe someone's car as 'boroboro'?
Yes, but be careful as it means the car is a 'beater'—severely rusted, dented, or falling apart. It might offend the owner!
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011900
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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