Entry
ドボドボ
dobodobo
Describes the heavy, continuous sound and motion of a large amount of liquid being poured, running, or spilling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ドボドボ is a mimetic word describing the heavy flow or spilling of liquid. The voiced 'd' and 'b' sounds emphasize weight and volume, making it perfect for describing someone pouring a drink carelessly, water gushing from a hose, or thick liquid spilling in large amounts.
- Heavy liquid flow
- Careless pouring
Sense Map
Pouring liquid heavily
Deliberately but perhaps carelessly pouring a large volume of liquid out of a container.
ジュースをドボドボ注ぐ
Leaking or spilling
A large amount of liquid escaping from a container, flowing, or leaking out strongly.
水がドボドボこぼれる
Usage Note
How to Use
ドボドボと + verb
Used with verbs like 注ぐ (to pour) or 流れる (to flow) to describe the manner of the liquid's movement. The 'to' particle is optional but common.
ドボドボ + verb
The direct adverbial form without 'to', frequently used in casual, spoken Japanese.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドボドボと注ぐ
to pour heavily
ドボドボと流れる
to flow heavily / to gush
ドボドボこぼれる
to spill in large amounts
ドボドボと出る
to come pouring out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pouring a drink | Casual / Careless | Can imply pouring too much or pouring without finesse, as the volume is large. |
| Leaks or spills | Negative / Urgent | Conveys a serious situation where a large amount of fluid is being lost or making a mess. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちょろちょろ ちょろちょろ / opposite | For a very thin, weak, or small stream of liquid trickling. | ドボドボ implies a thick, heavy, large volume of liquid. | 水がチョロチョロ流れる |
とくとく とくとく / contrast | For a rhythmic, pleasant glugging sound when pouring smoothly from a bottle. | ドボドボ is heavier, messier, and often implies less care or a wider opening. | お酒をトクトク注ぐ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe heavy rain.
For heavy rain, use ザーザー. ドボドボ is for liquid pouring from a localized source like a bottle, bucket, or pipe.
Using it for the sound of drinking.
Use がぶがぶ or ごくごく for drinking. ドボドボ describes the pouring or spilling action itself, not swallowing.
Examples
Examples
コップに牛乳をドボドボと注いだ。
コップにぎゅうにゅうをドボドボとそそいだ。
I poured a large amount of milk into the cup heavily.
LiteralEmphasizes a heavy and somewhat careless pour.
バケツから水がドボドボこぼれた。
バケツからみずがドボドボこぼれた。
Water spilled heavily from the bucket.
LiteralFocuses on the large volume of water spilling.
鍋にオリーブオイルをドボドボ入れる。
なべにオリーブオイルをドボドボいれる。
Pouring a generous amount of olive oil into the pot.
LiteralUsed when cooking to indicate adding a generous amount of liquid.
蛇口からお湯がドボドボと出ている。
じゃぐちからおゆがドボドボとでている。
Hot water is pouring heavily out of the tap.
LiteralDescribes a thick, continuous flow of water.
パスタにソースをドボドボとかける。
パスタにソースをドボドボとかける。
Slathering the pasta heavily with sauce.
LiteralAlso works for thicker liquids like sauce.
Similar Words
トクトク
tokutoku
Contrast. Rhythmic, light glugging from a bottle.
ダボダボ
dabodabo
Describes clothing that is excessively baggy and loose-fitting, or the heavy sloshing of liquids.
がぶがぶ
gabugabu
Describes the sound or action of drinking large amounts of liquid vigorously and repeatedly.
ちょろちょろ
chorochoro
Describes a small, weak flow of water, flickering flames, or the quick, restless darting of small creatures. Opposite. A small, weak trickle of liquid.
Questions
Can I use dobodobo for a small drip from a faucet?
No, for a small drip use 'pota pota'. 'Dobodobo' requires a large, heavy flow of water.
Is dobodobo used for thick liquids or thin liquids?
It can be used for both. It works for water and juice, but also for thicker liquids like sauce, oil, or wet mud, as long as the volume is substantial.
Does dobodobo have a negative nuance?
Not inherently, but because it implies a large volume, it can sound careless if you are serving a drink to a guest. It is neutral for cooking or describing a broken pipe.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2123210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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