Entry
ぶわぶわ
buwabuwa
Describes something that has become unappealingly puffy, bloated, or spongy, often due to absorbing water.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used when an object or body part loses its firmness and becomes limp, swollen, or overly soft. It is frequently applied to waterlogged items like soaked bread or wood, as well as flabby flesh, carrying a somewhat negative or unappealing undertone.
- Waterlogged and bloated items
- Flabby or spongy flesh
Sense Map
Waterlogged Objects
Describes objects that have expanded and become soft or spongy after absorbing too much liquid.
パンが水を吸ってぶわぶわになる
Flabby Flesh
Describes skin or flesh that lacks firmness, appearing swollen or loose.
お腹の肉がぶわぶわしている
Usage Note
How to Use
ぶわぶわする
Used as a verb to state that something is currently in a puffy or bloated state.
ぶわぶわしている
Used as a verb to state that something is currently in a puffy or bloated state.
ぶわぶわな + noun
Used as an adjective to modify a noun, describing it as spongy or flabby.
ぶわぶわになる
Indicates the process of becoming bloated or soft, often due to moisture or aging.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぶわぶわに膨らむ
to swell up and become spongy
ぶわぶわになる
to become waterlogged/flabby
ぶわぶわな体
a flabby body
水でぶわぶわになる
to become soggy/spongy from water
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waterlogged items | negative | Describes materials (like paper or food) that have soaked up water and lost their structural integrity, becoming puffy and ruined. |
| Flesh or skin | negative | Describes a body that has become flabby from lack of exercise, or skin that is wrinkled and puffy from being submerged in water. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ふわふわ ふわふわ / opposite | Use for things that are delightfully light, soft, and fluffy (like clouds, blankets, or fresh bread). | Does not describe the unappealing, soggy, or swollen state. | ふわふわの毛布 |
ぶよぶよ ぶよぶよ / similar | Use to emphasize a very soft, jiggly, jelly-like, or fluid-filled texture. | Focuses on jiggling and gelatinous qualities rather than the puffy, spongy expansion. | ブヨブヨのお腹 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to compliment a cute, fluffy teddy bear or dog.
This word sounds like the object is deformed, waterlogged, or unpleasantly bloated. Use a different term for cute softness.
Using it for a hard, solid swelling like a firm bump on the head.
It specifically describes a limp, spongy, or soft type of swelling.
Examples
Examples
水に落ちたパンが水を吸ってぶわぶわになった。
水(みず)に落(お)ちたパンが水(みず)を吸(す)ってぶわぶわになった。
The bread that fell into the water soaked it up and became swollen and spongy.
VisualThis is the most common usage, showing an object losing its structure due to absorbing too much water.
運動不足で、お腹の肉がぶわぶわしている。
運動(うんどう)不足(ぶそく)で、お腹(なか)の肉(にく)がぶわぶわしている。
Due to a lack of exercise, the flesh on my stomach is flabby and loose.
VisualShows a state where the body or flesh has lost its firmness and tightness.
お風呂に長く入りすぎて、指先がぶわぶわになった。
お風呂(ふろ)に長(なが)く入(はい)りすぎて、指先(ゆびさき)がぶわぶわになった。
From staying in the bath too long, my fingertips became wrinkled and puffy.
VisualAnother classic example of the effect of water, where the skin absorbs water and becomes pale and puffy.
古いソファのクッションが湿気でぶわぶわに膨らんでいる。
古(ふる)いソファのクッションが湿気(しっけ)でぶわぶわに膨(ふく)らんでいる。
The cushion of the old sofa is swollen and spongy from moisture.
VisualDescribes the deformation of an object due to absorbing environmental moisture.
このトマトは古くなって、表面がぶわぶわしている。
このトマトは古(ふる)くなって、表面(ひょうめん)がぶわぶわしている。
This tomato has gotten old, and its surface is soft and puffy.
LiteralCan be used for decaying or aging food that has lost its firmness and feels unpleasantly soft.
Similar Words
ブヨブヨ
buyobuyo
ブヨブヨ (buyobuyo) describes something that is overly soft, lacks firmness, or is flabby to the touch. Both mean flabby, but ブヨブヨ emphasizes a jiggly, jelly-like texture.
ふわふわ
fuwafuwa
Fuwafuwa describes things that are light, airy, and soft to the touch, or things that float and drift gently. ふわふわ is positive (soft/fluffy), ぶわぶわ is negative (puffy/waterlogged).
だぶだぶ
dabudabu
Describes clothing that is noticeably oversized, flabby flesh, or liquids pouring abundantly.
Questions
Can I use this word to describe a cozy, soft bed?
No, it implies an unnatural or undesirable puffiness. Use a different word for a cozy, soft bed.
Is it only used for wet things?
While extremely common for items ruined by water, it is also frequently used for dry but flabby, soft flesh.
How is it different from ブヨブヨ?
Both can mean flabby, but this word emphasizes the aspect of 'swelling' or 'puffing up into a spongy state', whereas ブヨブヨ emphasizes a jiggly, jelly-like feel.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2785290
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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