Entry
だぶだぶ
dabudabu
Describes clothing that is noticeably oversized, flabby flesh, or liquids pouring abundantly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is often used for pants or shirts that are too large and sagging. It can also describe a stomach or arms that are flabby, as well as the sound or state of liquids sloshing in a container (like the stomach) or being poured in very generous amounts (like sauce).
- Oversized clothes
- Pouring plenty of liquid
- Sloshing stomach
Sense Map
Baggy Clothing
Describing clothes that are noticeably too large, baggy, and have loose, sagging fabric.
だぶだぶのセーターを着ている。
Generous Liquids
Describing the action of pouring a large amount of liquid, like sauce or soup, until it overflows.
ハンバーグにソースをだぶだぶとかける。
Sloshing Stomach
Describing the feeling or sound of having too much liquid sloshing around inside the stomach.
水の飲みすぎでお腹がだぶだぶする。
Usage Note
How to Use
だぶだぶの + noun
Used to modify a noun, typically clothing, meaning 'baggy' or 'oversized' (e.g., だぶだぶのズボン - baggy pants).
だぶだぶな + noun
Similar to the 'の' pattern, commonly used as a na-adjective to describe something excessively loose.
だぶだぶに + verb
Describes a change into a baggy or oversized state (e.g., だぶだぶになる - to become too big, often after weight loss).
だぶだぶと + verb
Describes an action done with a generous amount of liquid, like pouring sauce heavily.
だぶだぶする
Used as a verb to express the state of being flabby, having loose clothes, or having a stomach sloshing with liquid.
How to Use
Common Phrases
だぶだぶの服
baggy clothes
ズボンがだぶだぶだ
the pants are excessively loose
ソースをだぶだぶかける
pour plenty of sauce
お腹がだぶだぶする
stomach sloshing with water
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing clothes | Neutral/Negative | Means the clothes are significantly oversized, often looking sloppy or like ill-fitting hand-me-downs. |
| Pouring liquid | Neutral | Emphasizes a generous or excessive amount, such as drenching a dish in sauce. |
| Human body | Negative | Describes flesh (like a belly or arms) that is flabby, sagging, and lacks firmness. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶかぶか ぶかぶか / similar | Used specifically for clothing, shoes, or hats that are too large, emphasizing the empty space between the body and the item. | Cannot be used for pouring liquids or flabby skin. Also, oversized shoes are usually 'ぶかぶか' and rarely 'だぶだぶ'. | ぶかぶかの靴 |
だぼだぼ だぼだぼ / similar | Very similar to だぶだぶ for oversized clothing. | Tends to be slightly more casual or slangy, and often specifically refers to hip-hop style or extremely loose streetwear. | ダボダボのズボン |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using だぶだぶ for shoes that are too big.
Use ぶかぶか for shoes. だぶだぶ focuses on the sagging fabric of long clothes like pants or shirts.
Using だぶだぶ to mean a stylish, comfortable 'loose fit'.
だぶだぶ usually implies it's too big and unflattering. Use ゆったり for a positive, comfortable relaxed fit.
Examples
Examples
兄のお下がりのだぶだぶな服を着る。
あにおさがりのだぶだぶなふくをきる。
Wearing my older brother's baggy hand-me-down clothes.
VisualDescribes baggy clothes that are visibly too large.
ズボンがだぶだぶで歩きにくい。
ずぼんがだぶだぶであるきにくい。
The pants are so baggy that it is hard to walk.
VisualFocuses on the excess fabric that hangs down and restricts movement.
カツにソースをだぶだぶとかける。
かつにそーすをだぶだぶとかける。
Pouring sauce generously over the katsu.
LiteralUsed for the action of pouring an excessive or generous amount of liquid.
水の飲みすぎで、お腹がだぶだぶしている。
みずののみすぎで、おなかがだぶだぶしている。
My stomach is sloshing around from drinking too much water.
LiteralDescribes the physical sensation and sound of liquid moving inside the stomach.
ダイエットをして、今まで着ていたズボンがだぶだぶになった。
だいえっとをして、いままできていたずぼんがだぶだぶになった。
After going on a diet, the pants I used to wear have become way too baggy.
VisualShows a change in state from fitting to being too loose due to weight loss.
Similar Words
ダボダボ
dabodabo
Describes clothing that is excessively baggy and loose-fitting, or the heavy sloshing of liquids. Almost identical for baggy clothes, but slightly more casual or slangy.
ぶかぶか
bukabuka
Describes clothing, shoes, or accessories that are noticeably too large and loose-fitting on the wearer. Both mean oversized, but ぶかぶか is for empty space inside shoes or hats.
がぶがぶ
gabugabu
Describes the sound or action of drinking large amounts of liquid vigorously and repeatedly.
Questions
What is the difference between だぶだぶ and ぶかぶか?
ぶかぶか focuses on the empty space inside oversized items like shoes and hats, while だぶだぶ focuses on the baggy, sagging fabric of clothes.
Can だぶだぶ be used for liquids?
Yes, it can describe sloshing liquid in the stomach or pouring a large, generous amount of sauce.
Does だぶだぶ mean a 'comfortable loose fit'?
No, it usually implies clothes are 'too big' or unflattering. For a comfortable relaxed fit, use the word ゆったり.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007430
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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