Entry
ぐらぐら
guragura
Describes an unstable wobbling state, vigorously boiling liquid, or a wavering mind.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term indicates physical instability in objects like loose teeth or furniture. It is also used for water boiling with large bubbles and psychological states of hesitation or physical dizziness.
- Physical wobbling or instability of structures
- Liquid boiling intensely with large bubbles
- Mental wavering or physical dizzy sensations
Sense Map
Physical Instability
Used for objects that are loose, shaky, or not firmly fixed in place.
歯がぐらぐらする。
Intense Boiling
Refers to water or soup boiling very strongly with a lot of movement and steam.
お湯がぐらぐら煮える。
Mental/Physical State
Describes a mind that cannot make a decision or a dizzy feeling in the head.
決心がぐらぐら揺れる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐらぐらする
Functions as a verb to state that something is currently in a wobbly or unstable state.
ぐらぐら揺れる
Emphasizes the repetitive physical shaking motion.
ぐらぐらの＋noun
Used as an adjective to describe a shaky object, like an old desk.
ぐらぐらと＋verb
An adverbial usage describing how an action occurs, such as boiling vigorously.
How to Use
Common Phrases
歯がぐらぐらする
A tooth is loose/wobbling
地面がぐらぐら揺れる
The ground is shaking violently
お湯をぐらぐら沸かす
To boil water vigorously
足元がぐらぐらする
To feel unsteady on one's feet
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Inanimate Objects | neutral | Objective description of structural instability or damage. |
| Cooking | neutral | Technical instruction for a high-intensity boil. |
| Feelings | negative | Indicates lack of resolve or poor physical condition. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がたがた がたがた / similar | Used when a wobbly object clatters or makes a loud rattling impact. | Focuses on noise and harsh vibration. This word is about a large unstable wobble, with or without sound. | 古い窓ががたがた鳴る。 |
ふらふら ふらふら / nearby | Used for people walking unsteadily because of weakness, fatigue, or intoxication. | Focuses on human bodily balance. This word is more often used for loose objects, boiling liquid, or a wavering decision. | 疲れて足元がふらふらする。 |
くらくら くらくら / nearby | Used specifically for a spinning or dizzy sensation in the head. | Refers only to head sensations. This word can also describe wobbling objects or vigorously boiling water. | 暑さで頭がくらくらする。 |
ぐつぐつ ぐつぐつ / contrast | Used when a liquid simmers gently on low heat with small bubbles. | Describes a quiet simmer. This word is for a rolling, high-heat boil with large bubbles. | カレーがぐつぐつ煮える。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a slight simmer in cooking.
Use it only for rolling, vigorous boils with large bubbles.
Assuming it only means 'dizzy'.
It more commonly refers to physical objects. Use クラクラ for pure dizziness.
Examples
Examples
地震で家がぐらぐら揺れて、とても怖かった。
じしんで いえが ぐらぐら ゆれて、とても こわかった。
The house shook violently during the earthquake, and I was very scared.
VisualDescribes large-scale shaking of a building structure.
鍋のお湯がぐらぐら煮えてから、パスタを入れてください。
なべの おゆが ぐらぐら にえてから、パスタを いれてください。
Please put the pasta in after the water in the pot is boiling vigorously.
LiteralIndicates water boiling strongly over high heat.
この椅子は足がぐらぐらしているので、座らないほうがいい。
この いすは あしが ぐらぐら しているので、すわらないほうが いい。
The legs of this chair are wobbly, so you'd better not sit on it.
LiteralExplains physical damage to furniture making it shaky.
あまりの暑さに、頭がぐらぐらしてきた。
あまりの あつさに、あたまが ぐらぐら してきた。
My head started spinning because of the extreme heat.
LiteralStates a physical sensation of dizziness or feeling unsteady.
彼の決心はぐらぐらしていて、まだ答えが出ない。
かれの けっしんは ぐらぐら していて、まだ こたえが でない。
His resolve is wavering, and he still hasn't come up with an answer.
FigurativeUsed figuratively for an indecisive mind.
Similar Words
ふらふら
furafura
Describes a lack of stability, whether physically (feeling dizzy or walking unsteadily) or mentally (being indecisive or wandering aimlessly). Used for human bodily imbalance.
クラクラ
kurakura
A sensation of dizziness or vertigo where the head feels like it is spinning, or the appearance of water boiling vigorously. Focuses on the sensation of dizziness inside the head.
ガタガタ
gatagata
A word describing a loud rattling sound of hard objects, violent physical shivering, or a state of being shaky and unstable. Emphasizes rattling noises or harsh vibrations.
ぐつぐつ
gutsugutsu
ぐつぐつ describes the sound or state of a liquid, especially thick food, simmering gently over low heat. Simmering gently on low heat.
Questions
Can I use it for a drunk person?
Not usually. For someone staggering because of alcohol, ふらふら is much more natural, because it describes a body that cannot keep its balance. ぐらぐら is more natural for loose objects, boiling liquid, or a wavering decision.
What is the difference from ぐつぐつ in cooking?
ぐつぐつ is for simmering on low heat with small bubbles. ぐらぐら is for a vigorous, high-heat boil with large bubbles.
Does it apply to shaky hands?
No. For hands trembling from nerves or cold, use ぶるぶる for fine shivering, or がたがた when the shaking is harsh and noisy.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004110
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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