Entry
ちゃぷちゃぷ
chapuchapu
ちゃぷちゃぷ describes the light, gentle sound of splashing water or liquid sloshing inside a container.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word evokes a rhythmic, light sound made when small amounts of water are tapped or disturbed, such as a child playing in a bathtub or stepping in shallow puddles. It is also used to describe the sound of a liquid moving or sloshing around inside a closed space like a bottle or stomach.
- Light splashing sound
- Liquid sloshing inside a container
Sense Map
Light Splashing
Used for the gentle, playful sound of water splashing, typically in shallow water or a bath.
お風呂でちゃぷちゃぷ遊ぶ
Sloshing Liquid
Describes the sound of liquid sloshing or shaking inside a bottle, stomach, or partially filled container.
水筒がちゃぷちゃぷ鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
ちゃぷちゃぷと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying actions that produce a light splashing sound (e.g., washing, playing).
ちゃぷちゃぷする
Acts as a verb indicating that something is making a splashing or sloshing sound.
ちゃぷちゃぷ + noun (rarely, mostly with 'sound')
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちゃぷちゃぷ音がする
To make a splashing/sloshing sound
ちゃぷちゃぷと洗う
To wash with a light splashing motion
お腹がちゃぷちゃぷする
Stomach feels sloshy (from drinking too much)
ちゃぷちゃぷ遊ぶ
To play by splashing water (e.g., in a bath)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Playing in the bath | positive | Implies a cute, innocent, and fun atmosphere (often associated with babies or toddlers). |
| Drinking too much liquid | negative | Used to describe the uncomfortable sensation of a stomach full of sloshing liquid. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばしゃばしゃ ばしゃばしゃ / similar | Use when the splashing is strong, large, and noisy (e.g., kicking legs hard while swimming). | ちゃぷちゃぷ is much quieter and smaller in scale. | プールでバシャバシャ泳ぐ |
じゃぶじゃぶ じゃぶじゃぶ / similar | Use when involving a large volume of water and a heavier, soaking process (e.g., washing clothes with plenty of water). | ちゃぷちゃぷ focuses on light surface sounds, not heavy volumes or rough usage of water. | 服をじゃぶじゃぶ洗う |
とくとく とくとく / similar | Use for the rhythmic glugging sound when pouring liquid out of a narrow-necked bottle. | ちゃぷちゃぷ is the liquid sloshing inside, while とくとく is the sound as it pours out. | お酒をとくとくと注ぐ |
ぽちゃん ぽちゃん / similar | Use for the sound of a single small object dropping into water. | ちゃぷちゃぷ is a repetitive sound, whereas ぽちゃん is usually a one-time sound of impact on the water's surface. | 石がぽちゃんと落ちる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for big ocean waves crashing.
ちゃぷちゃぷ is only for very small amounts of shallow water. For crashing waves, use ざぶーん (zabun).
Using it for someone jumping into a swimming pool.
The sound of a heavy body entering water is ドボン (dobon), not ちゃぷちゃぷ.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんがお風呂でちゃぷちゃぷと遊んでいる。
あかちゃんがおふろでちゃぷちゃぷとあそんでいる。
The baby is playing in the bath with a light splashing sound.
LiteralShows the small, innocent splashing sound.
水筒を振ると、中でちゃぷちゃぷ音がする。
すいとうをふると、なかでちゃぷちゃぷおとがする。
If you shake the canteen, it makes a sloshing sound inside.
LiteralA typical example for partially filled liquid in a closed container.
子供が水たまりをちゃぷちゃぷ歩いている。
こどもがみずたまりをちゃぷちゃぷあるいている。
A child is walking through puddles with a light splashing step.
LiteralThe light sound of footsteps on shallow puddles.
水を飲みすぎて、お腹がちゃぷちゃぷする。
みずをのみすぎて、おなかがちゃぷちゃぷする。
I drank too much water, and my stomach feels sloshy.
LiteralA common phrase when drinking liquid too quickly or too much.
波がボートにちゃぷちゃぷと当たっている。
なみがボートにちゃぷちゃぷとあたっている。
Tiny waves are gently lapping against the boat.
LiteralUsed only for very small, slow ripples or waves.
Similar Words
とくとく
tokutoku
The sound of pouring liquid from a bottle.
ぽちゃん
pochan
Sound of a small object plopping into water once.
バシャバシャ
bashabasha
A word that describes the vigorous sound of water splashing or the repeated clicking of a camera shutter. Louder and more forceful water splashing.
ぼちゃん
bochan
The sound of a solid object dropping into water or a deep hole.
じゃぶじゃぶ
jabujabu
Represents the loud sound of splashing water vigorously, or the reckless and generous use of liquids or money. Heavy splashing with lots of water, like washing clothes.
Questions
Can I use ちゃぷちゃぷ for the ocean?
Yes, but only for tiny, gentle ripples lapping against a boat or the shore. It is inappropriate for normal ocean waves.
What is the difference between ちゃぷちゃぷ and バシャバシャ?
ちゃぷちゃぷ is small-scale and gentle, like a baby splashing. バシャバシャ is large-scale, rough, and noisy, like vigorous swimming.
Can ちゃぷちゃぷ be written in kanji?
No, this is an onomatopoeic word and is always written in hiragana or katakana.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2425560
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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