Entry
ぶんぶん
bunbun
ぶんぶん describes a continuous loud buzzing or humming sound made by insects or engines, as well as the action of vigorously swinging or shaking something.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is primarily used in two ways. First, it describes a continuous, resonant buzzing or humming sound typically associated with flying insects like bees and flies, or the roaring of motors. Second, it depicts the state of swinging, spinning, or shaking something vigorously and forcefully, such as swinging one's arms while walking or forcefully shaking one's head in refusal.
- Buzzing sound of bugs or engines
- Vigorous swinging or shaking motion
Sense Map
Buzzing Sound
Describes a loud, continuous, low-pitched humming or buzzing sound, typically from insects or machinery.
ハチがぶんぶん飛ぶ
Vigorous Swinging
Describes the act of swinging, spinning, or shaking something with a lot of force and speed.
腕をぶんぶん振り回す
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶんぶんと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, emphasizing the buzzing or swinging (e.g., ぶんぶんと飛ぶ - to fly buzzing).
ぶんぶん + verb
Adverbial form without the 'to' particle, often used in casual speech for fluidity (e.g., ぶんぶん振る - to swing vigorously).
ぶんぶんいう
Describes a state where something is actively producing a loud buzzing or humming noise.
How to Use
Common Phrases
蜂がぶんぶん飛ぶ
Bees fly buzzing
腕をぶんぶん振り回す
Swing arms vigorously
首をぶんぶん横に振る
Vigorously shake head side to side
エンジンがぶんぶん鳴る
Engine hums/roars loudly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Insect or engine sounds | Neutral | Often implies the sound is somewhat loud, noticeable, or slightly annoying due to its proximity. |
| Arm or head movements | Energetic / Firm | Indicates strong refusal (if shaking head) or high enthusiasm and energy (if swinging arms). |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶーん ぶーん / similar | For a longer, steadier humming or zooming sound of a car, machine, or mosquito passing by. | ぶんぶん focuses more on a vigorous repeating buzz or a forceful physical swinging motion. | 車がブーンと通り過ぎる。 |
ぶるぶる ぶるぶる / contrast | For the body trembling involuntarily from cold, fear, or rapid small vibrations. | ぶんぶん is a large, deliberate swinging motion (like arms or a head), not involuntary trembling. | 寒さでぶるぶる震える。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぶんぶん to describe shivering from the cold.
Use ぶるぶる for shivering or trembling. ぶんぶん is for deliberate, forceful swinging.
Using ぶんぶん for bird chirps or cricket sounds.
Use specific animal sounds. ぶんぶん is specifically for the mechanical buzzing of wings (like flies/bees) or engines.
Examples
Examples
蜂が耳のそばでぶんぶん飛んでいてうるさい。
はちがみみのそばでぶんぶんとんでいてうるさい。
A bee is flying around buzzing near my ear and it is noisy.
LiteralRefers to the buzzing sound of the flying bee.
子供が元気よく腕をぶんぶん振って歩いている。
こどもがげんきよくうでをぶんぶんふってあるいている。
The child is walking, swinging their arms vigorously with energy.
VisualDescribes the strong, energetic swinging motion of the arms.
彼は絶対に嫌だというように、首をぶんぶん横に振った。
かれはぜったいいやだというように、くびをぶんぶんよこにふった。
He vigorously shook his head from side to side as if to say he absolutely didn't want to.
VisualShows strong denial through a vigorous head shake.
遠くでバイクのエンジン音がぶんぶん鳴っている。
とおくでバイクのエンジンおとがぶんぶんなっている。
The sound of a motorcycle engine is humming loudly in the distance.
LiteralUsed for the continuous, loud revving or humming of an engine.
大きなハエが部屋の中をぶんぶんと飛び回っている。
おおきなハエがへやのなかをぶんぶんととびまわっている。
A large fly is flying around buzzing in the room.
LiteralTypical usage for noisy flying insects.
Similar Words
ブーン
buun
A steadier, longer mechanical or insect humming sound.
Questions
What is the difference between bunbun and buruburu?
bunbun is used for large, forceful swinging motions (like arms) or loud buzzing sounds, while buruburu is used for small, involuntary body tremors from cold or fear.
Can bunbun be used for any animal sound?
No. It is exclusively suited for fast-flapping winged insects like bees, wasps, or flies that produce a buzz.
Does this word only describe sounds?
No, bunbun is also very commonly used to describe someone swinging their arms, spinning something, or shaking their head forcefully.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009640
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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