Entry
ぶらぶら
burabura
A state of hanging loosely and swaying, or spending time and walking aimlessly in a relaxed manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes things that are dangling and swinging loosely from side to side. It is also commonly used to describe the action of strolling leisurely without a specific destination in mind, or living an idle, lazy life without engaging in productive activities like work or study.
- things dangling and swaying
- strolling aimlessly
- spending time idly
Sense Map
Dangling and Swaying
Describes something hanging loosely and swinging back and forth.
足をぶらぶらさせる。
Strolling Aimlessly
Walking slowly without feeling rushed and without a specific destination.
街をぶらぶら歩く。
Idling
Spending time without doing any significant work or activity.
家でぶらぶらしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶらぶらする
Used as a verb to indicate the action of strolling or spending time aimlessly.
ぶらぶら（と） + verb
Used as an adverb modifying another verb, most frequently with verbs related to walking or hanging.
ぶらぶらしている
Used to express an ongoing state, often used for people who are unemployed or lounging at home.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぶらぶら歩く
stroll leisurely
街をぶらぶらする
wander around town
家でぶらぶらしている
lazing around at home
足をぶらぶらさせる
dangle one's legs
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Walking around a town | positive or neutral | Shows that you are relaxing, perhaps taking in the sights or window shopping without any intent to buy a specific thing. |
| Describing someone's daily life or employment | negative | Implies the person has no job, does not go to school, and just wastes their days without a productive goal. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ふらふら ふらふら / contrast | Used when someone loses their balance, feels dizzy, or is physically unsteady due to sickness or fatigue. | Not used for leisurely strolls. It indicates physical instability, not a relaxed state of wandering. | 熱でふらふらする |
うろうろ うろうろ / contrast | Used when someone is pacing back and forth because they are confused, lost, looking for something, or anxious. | Does not indicate a relaxed mood; implies underlying worry, confusion, or anxiety driving the person's steps. | 道に迷ってうろうろする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using burabura when you are lost in a new city and trying to find your way.
Use urouro for wandering in confusion. Burabura is only appropriate if you are enjoying a relaxed, pressure-free stroll.
Using burabura to describe a friend who is feeling dizzy and might faint.
Use furafura for a lack of physical balance caused by illness or exhaustion.
Examples
Examples
週末は町をぶらぶらした。
週末(しゅうまつ)は町(まち)をぶらぶらした。
I strolled aimlessly around town over the weekend.
LiteralShows taking a relaxed walk without a specific destination.
彼は仕事もせずに家でぶらぶらしている。
彼(かれ)は仕事(しごと)もせずに家(いえ)でぶらぶらしている。
He is idling at home without a job.
FigurativeUsed with a negative nuance to show a lack of productivity.
腕をぶらぶらさせて歩く。
腕(うで)をぶらぶらさせて歩(ある)く。
Walking with one's arms dangling and swinging.
VisualFocuses on the visual image of things swinging back and forth.
木の枝からクモがぶらぶら下がっている。
木(き)の枝(えだ)からクモがぶらぶら下(さ)がっている。
A spider is dangling and swaying from the tree branch.
VisualDescribes something light hanging and swaying in the breeze.
暇だったので、公園をぶらぶら散歩した。
暇(ひま)だったので、公園(こうえん)をぶらぶら散歩(さんぽ)した。
Since I had free time, I took a leisurely walk in the park.
LiteralOften used together with the word sanpo (taking a walk).
Similar Words
ぶらり
burari
ぶらり describes wandering around aimlessly, dropping by a place casually, or something dangling freely.
ふらふら
furafura
Describes a lack of stability, whether physically (feeling dizzy or walking unsteadily) or mentally (being indecisive or wandering aimlessly). Unsteady due to sickness or fatigue.
うろうろ
urouro
Urouro describes the action of wandering around a limited area without a clear purpose or destination. Pacing around due to confusion or searching.
Questions
Can burabura be used for inanimate objects?
Yes. It is very commonly used for things that hang loosely and sway in the breeze or due to gravity, such as necklaces, dangling arms, or hanging toys.
Is it polite to say I was burabura over the weekend?
Yes, it is perfectly fine to use it about yourself to show you were relaxing. However, do not use it to describe a superior's actions, as it can sound disrespectful.
Can burabura have a negative meaning?
Yes. When used to describe someone's lifestyle, it can imply they are unemployed or wasting time, which carries a critical tone.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011230
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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