Entry
どばどば
dobadoba
Pouring or gushing out in large amounts forcefully, typically used for liquids.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word conveys the state of a massive volume of liquid flowing, gushing, or being poured continuously and with force. It is often used for bursting pipes, heavy bleeding, profuse sweating, or recklessly pouring excessive amounts of sauce onto food.
- heavy liquid flow
- pouring too much liquid
- uncontrollable financial spending
Sense Map
Heavy Liquid Flow
Used when fluids like water, blood, or sweat pour out in copious, unrestricted amounts.
血がどばどば出る
Pouring Condiments
Describes the act of intentionally pouring a very large, often excessive, amount of a liquid condiment.
ソースをどばどばかける
Figurative Financial Drain
Figuratively used to describe money draining rapidly or expenses piling up continuously.
お金がどばどば出ていく
Usage Note
How to Use
どばどばと + verb
どばどば + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
どばどば流れる
flowing copiously
どばどば出る
gushing out
どばどば注ぐ
pouring heavily
お金がどばどば出ていく
money draining rapidly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding or Leaking | Negative | Implies a serious, sometimes alarming situation where fluid is lost rapidly. |
| Adding Condiments | Neutral | Indicates a lack of restraint; some might view it as enjoying strong flavors, while others see it as ruining the dish. |
| Financial Spending | Negative | Used when complaining about rapid, uncontrolled financial losses or expenses. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どばっと どばっと / similar | Use ドバッと for a sudden, single-burst spill or splash of a large amount. | Does not imply the continuous, prolonged flowing state that どばどば does. | 水がドバッとこぼれる |
どくどく どくどく / similar | Use どくどく to describe liquid flowing in a rhythmic, pulsating pattern, often matching a heartbeat. | Focuses on the rhythm (especially for blood) rather than just the sheer, unbroken volume. | 血がどくどく脈打つ |
だくだく だくだく / similar | Use だくだく to describe being drenched in sweat. | Mainly reserved for sweat, rather than describing pipes bursting or pouring drinks. | 汗をだくだくかく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using dobadoba to describe a calm river.
Dobadoba is forceful and heavy. For a gentle, calm stream, use サラサラ.
Using it for large rocks falling down a hill.
It is exclusively for liquids (or metaphorically liquid things like money), not solid, discrete objects. Use ゴロゴロ for boulders.
Examples
Examples
水道管が破裂して、水がどばどばと溢れ出している。
すいどうかんがはれつして、みずがどばどばとあふれだしている。
The water pipe burst, and water is pouring out heavily.
VisualFocuses on the massive, hard-to-stop flow of water.
転んだ拍子に膝を切って、血がどばどば出た。
ころんだひょうしにひざをきって、ちがどばどばでた。
I cut my knee when I fell, and it bled profusely.
VisualCommonly used for heavy bleeding that causes alarm.
彼はサラダにドレッシングをどばどばかけて食べるのが好きだ。
かれはさらだにどれっしんぐをどばどばかけてたべるのがすきだ。
He likes to pour copious amounts of dressing on his salad.
LiteralDescribes the intentional act of pouring a very large portion of liquid.
今月は車の修理や何やらで、お金がどばどば出ていった。
こんげつはくるまのしゅうりやなにやらで、おかねがどばどばでていった。
This month, my money drained away rapidly on car repairs and other things.
FigurativeA popular figurative use for excessive, continuous financial spending.
暑い中を歩き続けて、汗がどばどばと止まらない。
あついなかをあるきつづけて、あせがどばどばととまらない。
After walking continuously in the heat, my sweat is pouring out non-stop.
VisualIndicates sweat flowing freely like water.
Similar Words
ドバッと
dobatto
A heavy spill or burst that happens all at once in a single instant.
どくどく
dokudoku
Dokudoku describes a heavy, steady flow of liquid gushing out (especially blood) or a strong, pounding heartbeat. A rhythmic, pulsating flow of fluid (often used for blood).
だくだく
dakudaku
Describes a copious, uncontrolled flow of liquid such as sweat or blood, or heavy rhythmic pounding sounds. Used specifically when someone is profusely drenched in sweat.
だばだば
dabadaba
This word describes a large volume of liquid pouring, flowing, or gushing out vigorously and continuously.
Questions
Can I use dobadoba for things other than liquids?
Generally no, it is meant for liquids. The only major exception is the figurative use for 'money flowing out'.
Is dobadoba a formal word?
No, it is highly conversational and casual. You should not use it in formal essays or polite business correspondence.
What is the difference between dobadoba and dobatto?
Dobadoba is a continuous heavy flow over time. Dobatto is a sudden, one-time heavy splash or dump.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2684490
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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