Entry
ぶかぶか
bukabuka
Describes clothing, shoes, or accessories that are noticeably too large and loose-fitting on the wearer.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A Japanese mimetic word primarily used to describe clothes, shoes, or hats that are too big for the wearer, leaving excess empty space between the body and the fabric. Secondarily, it represents the loud, tooting sound of a brass horn or trumpet.
- Oversized clothing
- Loose shoes
- Loud tooting sound
Sense Map
Baggy Clothing/Shoes
Used when an item of clothing or footwear is a size or more too large, creating a loose or hollow fit.
ぶかぶかのズボン
Tooting Sound
Represents the loud blowing or tooting sound of a brass instrument or horn.
ラッパをぶかぶか吹く
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶかぶかの + Noun
Modifies a noun, indicating that the clothing or accessory is oversized.
ぶかぶかに + Verb
Describes an action or change resulting in a loose fit, such as clothes becoming baggy after losing weight.
ぶかぶかだ
Used at the end of a sentence to declare that something is too big.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぶかぶかの服
baggy clothes
靴がぶかぶかだ
the shoes are too big
ぶかぶかのズボン
baggy pants
帽子がぶかぶか
the hat is too loose
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Children dressing up | Positive/Endearing | Creates a cute, humorous image of a child swallowed up by adult-sized shoes or clothing. |
| Professional attire | Negative | Implies the wearer looks sloppy or poorly tailored if a business suit is described as ぶかぶか. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
だぶだぶ だぶだぶ / similar | Used for clothes that are excessively loose, baggy, or too long, often sagging and creating folds. | While highly interchangeable, ぶかぶか focuses strictly on the empty space and size difference, whereas だぶだぶ often emphasizes the excess folds of fabric and clumsiness. | だぶだぶのシャツ |
きっちり きっちり / opposite | Used when something fits exactly, firmly, and perfectly with no gaps. | This is the exact opposite state of ぶかぶか, meaning there is no empty space. | きっちりしたスーツ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a spacious room or house.
ぶかぶか is exclusively for wearable items on the body (clothes, rings, shoes), not for architectural space.
Using it for loose hair.
It only applies to items worn on the body, not actual body parts or hair.
Examples
Examples
兄のお下がりなので、このシャツはぶかぶかだ。
あにのおさがりなので、このシャツはぶかぶかだ。
Because it's a hand-me-down from my older brother, this shirt is way too big.
VisualDescribes a shirt that is too large because it was passed down from an older sibling.
ぶかぶかの靴を履いて走ると危ないよ。
ぶかぶかのくつをはいてはしるとあぶないよ。
It's dangerous to run wearing shoes that are too big for you.
VisualCommonly used for shoes that are the wrong size.
ダイエットをして痩せたため、ズボンがぶかぶかになった。
ダイエットをしてやせたため、ズボンがぶかぶかになった。
My pants became loose because I lost weight from dieting.
VisualIndicates a change in state to being loose after weight loss.
子供が大人用の帽子をかぶるとぶかぶかになる。
こどもがおとなようのぼうしをかぶるとぶかぶかになる。
When a child wears an adult's hat, it fits very loosely.
VisualGives a cute impression when a large item is worn by a small child.
応援団がラッパをぶかぶかと鳴らしている。
おうえんだんがラッパをぶかぶかとならしている。
The cheering squad is loudly tooting their horns.
LiteralUsed to mimic the sound of blowing a brass instrument like a trumpet.
Similar Words
だぶだぶ
dabudabu
Describes clothing that is noticeably oversized, flabby flesh, or liquids pouring abundantly. Very similar, focuses on excess fabric.
きっちり
kicchiri
Describes a state where something is exact, fits perfectly without looseness, or is done thoroughly and properly. Opposite, means fitting perfectly with no gaps.
Questions
What is the difference between bukabuka and dabudabu?
They are very similar, but bukabuka emphasizes the empty space inside the garment (it's simply a size too big), while dabudabu can also emphasize excess length, sagging, and folds of extra fabric.
Can I use it for a ring that is too big?
Yes, it is perfectly natural to say a ring is bukabuka if it slips loosely around the finger with plenty of empty space.
Is bukabuka always negative?
Not necessarily. It is negative if you need well-fitting clothes, but it can be neutral for streetwear fashion or cute when describing a child trying on their parents' clothes.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011130
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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