Entry
ぐちゅぐちゅぺー
guchuguchupee
A playful phrase representing the action of swishing water in the mouth and spitting it out, commonly used with children.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ぐちゅぐちゅぺー is a mimetic phrase that combines the sound of swishing liquid in the mouth (ぐちゅぐちゅ) with the action of spitting it out (ぺー). It is highly associated with teaching young children proper toothbrushing and rinsing habits.
- swishing and spitting
- rinsing mouth
Sense Map
After Brushing Teeth
Used to describe or instruct the action of rinsing the mouth with water and spitting out the toothpaste foam.
歯磨きの後にぐちゅぐちゅぺーする。
General Mouth Rinsing
Used when cleaning the mouth out, such as at the dentist or after coming home, to wash away debris.
お水でぐちゅぐちゅぺーしてね。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐちゅぐちゅぺーする
Used as a suru-verb to express the action of rinsing and spitting.
ぐちゅぐちゅぺーして
The te-form (gentle command), often used to ask children to rinse their mouth.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐちゅぐちゅぺーする
to rinse and spit
ぐちゅぐちゅぺーしてね
rinse and spit, okay
ぐちゅぐちゅぺーの練習
practicing rinsing and spitting
お水でぐちゅぐちゅぺー
rinsing and spitting with water
歯磨きの後のぐちゅぐちゅぺー
rinsing and spitting after brushing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Teaching children hygiene | playful and encouraging | It breaks down the process of rinsing the mouth into fun sounds, making it easier for toddlers to learn. |
| Adult conversation | childish | Adults rarely use it for themselves unless they are speaking to children or being deliberately silly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぺっと ぺっと / similar | When focusing only on the single action or sound of spitting something out. | ぐちゅぐちゅぺー includes the swishing action beforehand, while ぺっと is just the spitting. | ぺっと吐き出す |
ぺっぺっ ぺっぺっ / similar | When someone is repeatedly spitting out small amounts, like seeds or bad-tasting food. | ぐちゅぐちゅぺー is a complete mouth-washing sequence, whereas ペッペッ is repeated spitting without the washing. | 種をペッペッと出す |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it in formal situations or with adults.
It is a childish expression. Adults normally use うがいをする (ugai o suru) or 口をゆすぐ (kuchi o yusugu).
Thinking it only means spitting.
It specifically includes both the rinsing/swishing part (ぐちゅぐちゅ) and the spitting part (ぺー).
Examples
Examples
歯磨きの後は、お水でぐちゅぐちゅぺーしてね。
はみがきのあとは、おみずでぐちゅぐちゅぺーしてね。
After brushing your teeth, rinse with water and spit it out.
LiteralA common instruction given to children.
歯医者さんで、ぐちゅぐちゅぺーをしてくださいと言われた。
はいしゃさんで、ぐちゅぐちゅぺーをしてくださいといわれた。
At the dentist, I was told to rinse and spit.
LiteralDentists often use this friendly phrase when treating pediatric patients.
子供が上手にお風呂場でぐちゅぐちゅぺーの練習をしている。
こどもがじょうずにおふろばでぐちゅぐちゅぺーのれんしゅうをしている。
The child is skillfully practicing how to rinse and spit in the bathroom.
LiteralParents often teach this skill during bath time.
口の中に虫歯菌がいないように、しっかりぐちゅぐちゅぺーする。
くちのなかにむしばきんがいないように、しっかりぐちゅぐちゅぺーする。
I will thoroughly rinse and spit so there are no cavity bacteria in my mouth.
LiteralFocuses on the hygiene aspect of the action.
甘いものを食べた後は、ぐちゅぐちゅぺーを忘れないでね。
あまいものをたべたあとは、ぐちゅぐちゅぺーをわすれないでね。
After eating sweets, don't forget to rinse and spit.
LiteralA gentle reminder for dental care.
Similar Words
Questions
Can adults use ぐちゅぐちゅぺー?
Generally, adults use phrases like 口をすすぐ (kuchi o susugu) for themselves. ぐちゅぐちゅぺー is mostly used when talking to young children.
What do the two parts of the word mean?
'Guchu-guchu' is the sound of liquid swishing in the mouth, and 'pe' is the sound of spitting it out.
Is there a difference between ぐちゅぐちゅぺー and うがい?
うがい (ugai) refers to gargling in general, including in the throat (ガラガラうがい). ぐちゅぐちゅぺー specifically refers to swishing liquid around the teeth and cheeks and then spitting.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2859784
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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