Entry
ぶくぶく
bukubuku
ぶくぶく describes the sound or sight of bubbles in liquid, something swelling up excessively, or overly baggy clothing.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has three main uses. First, it represents the sound or visual state of bubbles forming and rising in a liquid. Second, it is used figuratively for something that swells or inflates like a balloon, often describing rapid and excessive weight gain. Third, it describes clothing that is so large it appears loose and bulging.
- Bubbles or foam in liquid
- Swelling or excessive weight gain
- Baggy or loose-fitting clothing
Sense Map
Bubbling Water
The sound or sight of air bubbles forming and popping in a liquid.
カニがぶくぶく泡を吹く。
Swelling / Gaining Weight
A state of swelling up, inflating, or gaining an excessive amount of weight.
ぶくぶくに太る。
Baggy Clothing
Clothing that is far too big, looking loose and baggy on the wearer.
ぶくぶくの服を着る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶくぶくと + verb
Used to describe an ongoing action, such as sinking with bubbles (ぶくぶくと沈む) or getting fatter (ぶくぶくと太る).
ぶくぶくに + verb
Highlights the resulting state of a change, like having become completely bloated/fat (ぶくぶくに太った).
ぶくぶくの + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as baggy or bulging, commonly applied to clothes (ぶくぶくの服).
ぶくぶくする
Used as a verb meaning to bubble or to be baggy.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぶくぶく太る
to become extremely fat
ぶくぶく沈む
to sink while making bubbles
泡がぶくぶくする
bubbles are bubbling
ぶくぶくの服
baggy clothing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing bubbles | neutral | Used for boiling water, soap suds, or blowing air into liquid. |
| Describing bodies | negative | Implies rapid, unhealthy weight gain or extreme water retention. |
| Describing clothing | neutral | Means the item is hanging loosely and ballooning out. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶかぶか ぶかぶか / similar | When shoes, hats, or clothes are simply a size or two too large. | Cannot be used for bubbles or getting fat. It focuses strictly on an item being oversized. | ぶかぶかの靴 |
ごぼごぼ ごぼごぼ / similar | To describe the heavy, deep gurgling sound of large amounts of water (like a drain or someone drowning). | Describes heavier and larger water sounds, whereas ぶくぶく is for lighter, continuous bubbling or foaming. | 水がごぼごぼ流れる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぶくぶく to compliment a healthy, chubby baby.
Use ぽっちゃり for cute chubbiness. ぶくぶく implies unhealthy obesity or swelling.
Using it for clothes that are slightly loose.
It implies the clothes are noticeably baggy, bulging, and overly loose.
Examples
Examples
鍋のお湯がぶくぶくと沸騰している。
なべの おゆが ぶくぶくと ふっとうしている。
The hot water in the pot is boiling and bubbling.
VisualDescribes the bubbles forming as the water reaches a boil.
石を投げると、ぶくぶくと沈んでいった。
いしを なげると、ぶくぶくと しずんでいった。
When I threw the stone, it sank while making bubbles.
LiteralDescribes the sound and sight of air bubbles escaping as an object sinks into water.
ストローでジュースをぶくぶくさせる。
ストローで ジュースを ぶくぶくさせる。
Blowing bubbles into the juice with a straw.
VisualUsing the causative verb form (to make it bubble).
最近運動不足で、ぶくぶくに太ってしまった。
さいきん うんどうぶそくで、ぶくぶくに ふとってしまった。
Due to a lack of exercise recently, I have gotten completely fat.
FigurativeFigurative usage for a body expanding like a balloon with excess fat.
兄のお下がりで、ぶくぶくの服を着ている。
あにの おさがりで、ぶくぶくの ふくを きている。
I'm wearing extremely baggy clothes because they are hand-me-downs from my older brother.
VisualDescribes the fabric ballooning out because the size is too large for the wearer.
Similar Words
ぶかぶか
bukabuka
Describes clothing, shoes, or accessories that are noticeably too large and loose-fitting on the wearer. Both describe baggy clothing, but bukabuka cannot describe bubbles.
ごぼごぼ
gobogobo
The heavy, wet sound of a large amount of liquid bubbling, gurgling, or mixing with air. Bubbles or water flow that are larger and heavier-sounding than bukubuku.
Questions
Can I jokingly tell a friend they are 'bukubuku futta'?
It is not recommended. It sounds very harsh and implies they have ballooned up unhealthily.
What is the difference between bukubuku and bukabuka for clothes?
They are very similar in this context. Bukabuka focuses purely on the size being too big, while bukubuku implies the excess fabric is bulging or ballooning around the wearer.
Does bukubuku only apply to liquids?
Literally, yes (bubbles in a liquid). Figuratively, it extends to anything that inflates or swells like a bubble, including bodies and baggy clothes.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011140
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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