Entry
ちびちび
chibichibi
Doing something little by little or in very small increments.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the action of doing something gradually in very small amounts. It is most frequently associated with leisurely sipping a drink, taking tiny bites of food to make it last, or spending money and resources sparingly.
- Sipping drinks
- Taking small bites
- Using things sparingly
Sense Map
Sipping Drinks
The action of drinking something slowly in small sips, often applied to alcohol like sake or hot tea, to savor the taste.
日本酒をちびちび飲む。
Small Bites
The action of eating something in tiny bites, usually because the food is precious or one wants to savor it for a longer time.
ケーキをちびちび食べる。
Frugality
The action of using money or resources very sparingly to avoid running out quickly.
お小遣いをちびちび使う。
Gradual Progress
Proceeding with a task or activity bit by bit over time.
作業をちびちび進める。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちびちび + verb
ちびちびと + verb
ちびちびやる
A casual phrase that often specifically means 'to sip alcoholic drinks leisurely'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちびちび飲む
sip little by little
ちびちび食べる
eat in small bites
ちびちび使う
spend/use sparingly
お酒をちびちびやる
enjoy alcohol in small sips
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking alcohol | neutral | Commonly positive or neutral, portraying a person enjoying and savoring their drink. |
| Spending money | neutral | Can be viewed positively as being thrifty and resourceful, or negatively as being stingy and tight-fisted. |
| Working or studying | negative | Can sound slightly critical, implying the person is doing so little at a time that the overall progress is frustratingly slow. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちょっぴり ちょっぴり / similar | Used to describe that a physical quantity, degree, or emotion is 'a tiny bit' or 'just a little'. | ちょっぴり refers to the small amount or degree itself, whereas ちびちび describes the *action* of doing something in small portions repeatedly. | ちょっぴり寂しい。 |
じわじわ じわじわ / similar | Used for things that progress, permeate, or approach slowly but steadily, like water soaking in or tension rising. | ジワジワ describes a continuous, smooth, and often unstoppable progression, whereas ちびちび is for discrete, repeated small actions (like taking sips). | ジワジワと痛む。 |
ぼちぼち ぼちぼち / similar | Used when starting an action at a relaxed, unhurried pace, often translated as 'little by little' or 'leisurely'. | ぼちぼち focuses on the unhurried pace of starting or doing a general activity, not specifically on consuming things in tiny amounts. | ぼちぼち始めよう。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ちびちび as a noun for a small quantity (e.g., 'Only a chibichibi of food is left').
ちびちび is an adverb describing an action. Use 少し (sukoshi) or ちょっぴり (choppiri) to describe a small remaining amount.
Using it for someone walking or running slowly.
ちびちび is not used for physical movement speed. Use ゆっくり (yukkuri) or のろのろ (noronoro) for slow physical motion.
Examples
Examples
夜遅く、父はテレビを見ながら日本酒をちびちび飲んでいた。
よる おそく、 ちちは テレビを みながら にほんしゅを ちびちび のんでいた。
Late at night, my father was sipping sake little by little while watching TV.
LiteralDescribes drinking slowly to savor the taste.
もったいないので、大好きなケーキをちびちび食べた。
もったいないので、 だいすきな ケーキを ちびちび たべた。
Because it was a waste to finish it quickly, I ate my favorite cake in tiny bites.
LiteralShows eating in small portions so the food lasts longer.
給料日前なので、残りのお金をちびちび使っている。
きゅうりょうび まえ なので、 のこりの おかねを ちびちび つかっている。
Because it's before payday, I am spending my remaining money sparingly.
FigurativeHere it refers to spending money gradually and carefully.
寒い日は、熱いお茶をちびちびやるのが一番だ。
さむい ひは、 あつい おちゃを ちびちび やるのが いちばんだ。
On cold days, sipping hot tea slowly is the best.
LiteralUses the casual verb 'yaru' for the action of slow drinking.
夏休みの宿題を、毎日ちびちびと進めている。
なつやすみの しゅくだいを、 まいにち ちびちびと すすめている。
Every day, I am progressing with my summer vacation homework bit by bit.
FigurativeShows work being done in small chunks over time.
Similar Words
ちょっぴり
choppiri
ちょっぴり (choppiri) means a very small amount or degree, often conveying a cute, subjective, or emotional nuance. ちょっぴり focuses on a small amount/feeling, not repeated actions.
ぼちぼち
bochibochi
Slowly but steadily, or soon at a leisurely pace. ぼちぼち focuses on starting something leisurely.
ジワジワ
jiwajiwa
Something slowly but steadily seeping in, spreading, or approaching. ジワジワ describes a smooth and continuous slow progression.
Questions
Can I use ちびちび for rain falling little by little?
No. For rain falling in scattered drops, you would use ポツポツ (potsupotsu) or パラパラ (parapara). ちびちび is for intentional consumption or actions.
Is ちびちび related to the word 'chibi' (small/child)?
They share etymological roots regarding smallness, but in modern Japanese, ちびちび functions strictly as an adverb for doing things in tiny amounts, not as a noun for a small person.
What does ちびちびやる mean if 'yaru' means 'to do'?
In casual contexts, 'yaru' (to do) is often used as a slang term for drinking alcohol. So ちびちびやる almost always means 'to sip alcoholic drinks leisurely'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007590
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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