Entry
ガブッと
gabutto
To take a single, large bite or swallow in one big gulp.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the action of taking a single, large, and forceful bite of something, or powerfully gulping down a drink or food. The suffix 'tto' emphasizes that the action is sudden, abrupt, and completed in a moment.
- Big bite
- Sudden gulp
Sense Map
Biting forcefully
Taking a single, large, vigorous bite of food, or an animal suddenly snapping its jaws.
りんごをガブッと噛む
Gulping down
Swallowing a drink or food in a single, large, and forceful gulp.
水をガブッと飲み込む
Usage Note
How to Use
ガブッと噛む
ガブッと食べる
ガブッと飲み込む
ガブッと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ガブッと噛む
to bite off a big chunk
ガブッと食べる
to eat with a big bite
ガブッと飲み込む
to gulp down forcefully
ガブッと噛みつく
to snap at (often used for animals)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Taking a bite of food | Energetic, sometimes slightly unrefined. | Highlights the massive size of the bite, like biting into a whole apple. |
| An animal biting | Aggressive, sudden. | Describes the abrupt, forceful closing of jaws. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がぶがぶ がぶがぶ / nearby | For continuous, repeated gulping of liquids. | ガブッと focuses on a single, sudden, and forceful action (one big bite or gulp), rather than a continuous one. | 水をがぶがぶ飲む |
がぶり がぶり / nearby | For a deliberate, deep bite where the teeth sink into something. | ガブッと emphasizes that the action is extremely sudden and ends abruptly (due to the 'tto' suffix). | 肉にがぶりとかじりつく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ガブッと for drinking large amounts continuously.
Use がぶがぶ (gabugabu) for continuous drinking. ガブッと is strictly for a single, sudden gulp.
Using it for delicate, small, or polite bites.
ガブッと implies an energetic, large, and sometimes unrefined bite. Use ぱくっと (pakutto) for smaller, lighter bites.
Examples
Examples
大きなりんごをガブッと噛んだ。
おおきな りんご を ガブッと かんだ。
I took a big bite out of the large apple.
LiteralShows taking a single, forceful bite of solid food.
犬がボールにガブッと噛みついた。
いぬ が ボール に ガブッと かみついた。
The dog suddenly snapped its jaws on the ball.
LiteralIllustrates an animal suddenly and forcefully snapping its jaws.
彼はハンバーガーをガブッと食べた。
かれ は ハンバーガー を ガブッと たべた。
He ate the hamburger with a massive bite.
LiteralEmphasizes eating something vigorously in large mouthfuls.
冷たい水をガブッと飲み込んだ。
つめたい みず を ガブッと のみこんだ。
I gulped down the cold water in one big swallow.
LiteralDescribes drinking something forcefully in a single gulp.
ワニが獲物にガブッと食らいついた。
ワニ が えもの に ガブッと くらいついた。
The crocodile snapped fiercely at its prey.
LiteralShows predatory, sudden snapping of jaws.
Similar Words
がぶがぶ
gabugabu
Describes the sound or action of drinking large amounts of liquid vigorously and repeatedly. Used for continuously gulping down liquids.
がぶり
gaburi
A mimetic word describing the action of taking a large, vigorous bite or drinking in one big gulp. Indicates a deep, firm bite, lacking the abrupt 'tto' ending.
ごっくん
gokkun
Describes the distinct sound or action of swallowing liquid or food down the throat.
Questions
Is ガブッと only used for eating?
No, it is also used for gulping down liquids forcefully, and for animals suddenly snapping their jaws.
What is the difference between ガブッと and がぶり?
The 'tto' suffix in ガブッと makes the action feel more sudden, abrupt, and quick to finish, while 'ri' suggests a firm, deep bite.
Is it polite to use ガブッと to describe how someone eats?
It sounds a bit unrefined because it describes eating or drinking in a ravenous or massive way, making it unsuitable for formal situations.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2829601
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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