Entry
ぶくり
bukuri
A single, slightly dull sound made when an object sinks into water or a single bubble floats up to the surface.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe the specific sound of water being displaced. It typically occurs when a solid object goes under the surface with a quiet gulp, or when a single, distinct bubble rises and breaks the surface. Unlike continuous bubbling sounds, it highlights a single, discrete action.
- sinking into liquid
- a single bubble popping up
Sense Map
Sinking into water
Describes the single dull gulping sound of an object submerging into water or mud.
石が水にぶくりと沈んだ。
Floating bubble
Describes the sound of a single bubble rising to the surface and popping.
水面で泡がぶくりと弾けた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶくりと + verb
The standard adverbial usage with the particle 'to'. It is most commonly paired with verbs like sink (shizumu) or float (ukabu).
ぶくり + verb
Used similarly to the 'to' pattern but sounds slightly more direct or casual without the particle.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぶくりと沈む
sink with a gulping sound
ぶくりと浮かぶ
float up with a single bubble
泡がぶくりと出る
a single bubble pops out
ぶくりと姿を消す
disappear beneath the water
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sinking object | Neutral to somber | Conveys a sense of heaviness or the finality of disappearing underwater. |
| A single bubble | Neutral | Provides a visual and auditory cue that something small occurred below the surface. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶくぶく ぶくぶく / similar | Use when describing continuous bubbling, boiling water, or foaming. | While sharing the same root idea of bubbles, this word represents a continuous action, whereas bukuri is a single event. | 水がぶくぶく泡立つ |
ずぶり ずぶり / contrast | Use when something deeply and forcefully sinks or stabs into a soft mass like mud or flesh. | Focuses on the deep penetration into a soft mass rather than the watery sound of displacement. | 泥にずぶりと沈む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for a loud splash when someone jumps into a pool.
Use zabun or bashan for large splashes. Bukuri is for a quiet, gulping sink.
Using this word to describe boiling water.
Boiling water is continuous and should be described with bukubuku or gobogobo instead.
Examples
Examples
魚が水面でぶくりと泡を吐いた。
さかながすいめんでぶくりとあわをはいた
A fish blew a single bubble at the water's surface.
LiteralFocuses on the distinct sound of a single bubble.
池に落とした小石がぶくりと沈んで見えなくなった。
いけにおとしたこいしがぶくりとしずんでみえなくなった
The small stone dropped into the pond sank with a dull gulp and disappeared from sight.
VisualDescribes the sound and sight of a small object being swallowed by the water.
泥沼に足がぶくりと沈み込んだ。
どろぬまにあしがぶくりとしずみこんだ
His foot sank into the muddy bog with a heavy, wet gulp.
VisualHighlights the muffled sound of thick liquid closing over an object.
水底から大きな気泡がぶくりと湧き上がってきた。
みなそこからおおきなきほうがぶくりとわきあがってきた
A large bubble welled up from the bottom of the water with a single distinct sound.
LiteralFocuses on a single large bubble, contrasting with continuously boiling water.
暗い水の中へ物体がぶくりと姿を消した。
くらいみずのなかへぶったいがぶくりとすがたをけした
The object disappeared into the dark water with a muffled gulp.
FigurativeCan have a slightly eerie or dramatic tone about something vanishing completely.
Similar Words
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. For continuous bubbling or boiling, whereas bukuri is single.
ずぶり
zuburi
This word describes a single forceful action of sinking, stabbing, or plunging deeply into a yielding surface. Used for forceful and deep sinking/stabbing into soft mass.
ごぼごぼ
gobogobo
The heavy, wet sound of a large amount of liquid bubbling, gurgling, or mixing with air.
ポタリ
potari
Describes the sound or visual of a single, distinct drop of liquid falling.
Questions
Can I use bukuri for throwing a heavy rock into the river?
Only if you want to emphasize the quiet sound of the rock being swallowed by the water. If it makes a big splash, zabun is better.
What is the difference between bukuri and bukubuku?
Bukuri is for a single bubble or a single gulping sound when sinking. Bukubuku is for continuous bubbling.
Is bukuri used outside of liquid contexts?
No, it is almost exclusively tied to liquids like water or thick mud where bubbling and sinking occur.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2097140
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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