Entry
だばだば
dabadaba
This word describes a large volume of liquid pouring, flowing, or gushing out vigorously and continuously.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In daily conversation, it is used when liquids like water, sweat, or tears come out in massive quantities that are hard to control. It conveys the image of an unrestrained, sometimes careless, heavy flow.
- Gushing liquids
- Profuse sweat or tears
Sense Map
Gushing liquids
Describes water, drinks, or other liquids flowing vigorously or being poured without restraint.
水がだばだばこぼれる
Sweat or tears
Describes sweat, tears, or blood flowing heavily and continuously.
涙がだばだば出る
Usage Note
How to Use
だばだばと + verb
Used as an adverb before verbs related to liquid movement, such as flowing or spilling. The particle to is optional.
だばだば + verb
A more casual form without the particle to, frequently used in spoken Japanese.
How to Use
Common Phrases
涙がだばだばこぼれる
Tears spilling out copiously
水がだばだば流れる
Water gushing out
汗がだばだば出る
Sweat pouring out
ミルクをだばだば入れる
Pouring milk generously without measuring
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crying emotionally | Dramatic | Saying tears are coming out dabadaba emphasizes crying a literal river, often used lightly in conversation to describe intense weeping. |
| Pouring condiments or liquids | Careless | Pouring milk or sauce dabadaba suggests doing it heavily without carefully measuring, often resulting in pouring too much. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どばどば どばどば / similar | Used when the flow is even heavier, thicker, or comes out in a sudden massive burst. | Dabadaba feels slightly lighter and more continuous, while dobadoba emphasizes a sudden, heavy, or thick liquid burst. | 泥水がどばどば流れ込む |
だくだく だくだく / similar | Specifically used for sweat or blood flowing profusely and drenching the body. | Dabadaba can be used for any liquid, but dakudaku is strongly associated with sweating buckets or bleeding heavily. | 汗がだくだく出る |
だらだら だらだら / contrast | Used for liquids that are trickling, dripping, or flowing sluggishly over a surface. | Dabadaba is a vigorous and large gush, whereas daradara is a slow, continuous trickle without much force. | 血がだらだら流れる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for solid objects falling out of a bag.
Dabadaba is specifically for liquids. For solid objects falling out in large quantities, use zara-zara or bara-bara.
Using it for a slow drip of a leaky faucet.
Dabadaba implies a large, vigorous flow. For a slow drip, use pota-pota.
Examples
Examples
悲しい映画を見て、涙がだばだば出た。
かなしいえいがをみて、なみだがだばだばでた。
I watched a sad movie, and my tears came pouring out.
VisualDescribes crying very heavily.
水道の管が壊れて、水がだばだば流れている。
すいどうのくだがこわれて、みずがだばだばながれている。
The water pipe broke, and water is gushing out.
VisualDescribes water coming out in large amounts uncontrollably.
暑すぎて、汗がだばだば止まらない。
あつすぎて、あせがだばだばとまらない。
It's so hot that my sweat is pouring out non-stop.
VisualEmphasizes a massive amount of sweat due to the heat.
鍋からスープがだばだばこぼれてしまった。
なべからスープがだばだばこぼれてしまった。
The soup gushed and spilled out of the pot.
VisualShows a large and uncontrolled spill of liquid.
彼はコーヒーにミルクをだばだば入れる。
かれはコーヒーにミルクをだばだばいれる。
He pours a ton of milk into his coffee generously.
VisualShows pouring a lot of liquid heavily without measuring.
Similar Words
どばどば
dobadoba
Pouring or gushing out in large amounts forcefully, typically used for liquids. Describes thicker liquids or a more sudden, heavy burst of flow.
だくだく
dakudaku
Describes a copious, uncontrolled flow of liquid such as sweat or blood, or heavy rhythmic pounding sounds. Specifically for sweat or blood flowing profusely and drenching the body.
だらだら
daradara
だらだら describes something continuing endlessly without tension, such as chilling lazily at home, a meeting dragging on, or sweat dripping continuously. A slow, sluggish, and continuous trickle of liquid without much force.
Questions
Can I use dabadaba for heavy rain?
Although rain is liquid, dabadaba is mostly for liquids pouring out of something like a pipe, eyes, or a cup. For heavy rain, use zaa-zaa.
What is the difference between dabadaba and dobadoba?
They are very similar, but dobadoba sounds heavier, thicker, and often more sudden. Dabadaba is a continuous, vigorous flow of thinner liquids like water or tears.
Is dabadaba formal?
No, it is a highly colloquial and expressive word. Use it in casual conversations with friends rather than in business settings.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2860128
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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