Entry
チュパチュパ
chupachupa
チュパチュパ describes the wet, repetitive sound of sucking or licking something, like a baby sucking a pacifier or someone licking a lollipop.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, チュパチュパ captures the audible noise made when lips repeatedly suction or lick against something wet. It is most commonly used for babies sucking on pacifiers or fingers, and for people loudly sucking on hard candies or lollipops.
- sucking a pacifier or thumb
- licking or sucking candy
Sense Map
Sucking (Pacifiers/Fingers)
The wet sound of a baby sucking on a pacifier or their thumb.
おしゃぶりをチュパチュパ吸う
Licking (Candy/Lollipops)
The sound of repeatedly sucking or licking something sweet, like a lollipop.
キャンディーをチュパチュパなめる
Usage Note
How to Use
チュパチュパする
Used as a verb to mean 'to suck' or 'to lick' repeatedly while making a wet sound.
チュパチュパ（と）吸う
Used as an adverb modifying verbs like 吸う (to suck) or なめる (to lick).
チュパチュパ（と）なめる
How to Use
Common Phrases
チュパチュパ吸う
to suck with a wet sound
おしゃぶりをチュパチュパする
to suck on a pacifier
指をチュパチュパする
to suck one's thumb
飴をチュパチュパなめる
to lick a candy
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Babies and pacifiers | neutral/cute | Very commonly used to describe infants soothing themselves. |
| Adults eating candy | slightly negative | Can imply poor manners if an adult is loudly making this noise in public. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちゅーちゅー ちゅーちゅー / similar | Use for the sound of sucking liquid up through a straw, or a mouse squeaking. | チュパチュパ is for the wet smacking sound of lips on objects like pacifiers or candy, while チューチュー is for drawing up liquids continuously. | ジュースをチューチュー吸う |
ぺろぺろ ぺろぺろ / similar | Use for the broad action of a tongue licking a surface, like a dog licking a face or licking an ice cream cone. | ペロペロ focuses on the tongue's movement and lacks the suction/lip-smacking sound of チュパチュパ. | アイスをペロペロなめる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for drinking juice through a straw.
For straws, use チューチュー (chūchū), not チュパチュパ.
Using it for eating ramen or hot soup.
For slurping noodles or soup, use ズズッ (zuzu) or ズルズル (zuruzuru).
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんがおしゃぶりをチュパチュパと吸っている。
あかちゃん が おしゃぶり を チュパチュパ と すっている。
The baby is sucking on a pacifier making a chupachupa sound.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a baby soothing itself.
妹は飴をチュパチュパなめながらテレビを見ている。
いもうと は あめ を チュパチュパ なめながら テレビ を みている。
My little sister is watching TV while licking a candy with a chupachupa sound.
VisualFocuses on the repetitive action of licking the candy.
子猫が毛布をチュパチュパ吸って甘えている。
こねこ が もうふ を チュパチュパ すって あまえている。
The kitten is affectionately sucking on the blanket making a chupachupa sound.
VisualDescribes the kneading and sucking habit of young animals seeking comfort.
寝ている間に親指をチュパチュパする癖がある。
ねている あいだ に おやゆび を チュパチュパ する くせ が ある。
There is a habit of sucking the thumb (chupachupa) while sleeping.
LiteralShows the verb usage (suru) for a subconscious habit.
音を立ててキャンディーをチュパチュパ吸うのは行儀が悪い。
おと を たてて キャンディー を チュパチュパ すう の は ぎょうぎ が わるい。
Loudly sucking on a candy to make a chupachupa sound is considered bad manners.
VisualDescribes a situation where this noise can be considered rude.
Similar Words
チューチュー
chuuchuu
The squeaking sound of a mouse or the continuous sound of sucking liquid through a straw. チューチュー is for sucking liquid continuously.
ペロペロ
peropero
This word describes the action of repeatedly licking something or gobbling up food very quickly. ペロペロ focuses on the tongue's licking movement.
Questions
Can I use チュパチュパ for kissing?
While it describes a wet lip sound, using it for kissing sounds cartoonish or weird. チュッ (chu) is the standard word for a kiss.
What is the difference between チュパチュパ and チューチュー?
チューチュー is for continuously sucking liquid through a straw. チュパチュパ involves lips making wet smacking sounds on a solid object.
Is チュパチュパ considered a rude word?
The word itself is not rude, but describing an adult making a チュパチュパ sound while eating implies they have bad manners.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2850521
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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