Entry
ぐらぐら
guragura
This word describes something shaking because its foundation is unstable, water at a rolling boil, or a dizzy feeling in the head.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Guragura is a Japanese mimetic word that primarily describes something that has lost its stability and wobbles or shakes, such as a loose tooth, a broken chair, or a building during an earthquake. Additionally, it vividly depicts liquids at a vigorous rolling boil, as well as an unstable physical or mental state, like a dizzy head or a wavering resolution.
- Unstable objects
- Boiling water
- Dizziness or instability
Sense Map
Wobbly Foundation
Indicates an object that lacks a strong foundation and shakes or wobbles unsteadily.
歯がぐらぐらする
Boiling Vigorously
Indicates liquid, especially water, boiling at a rolling boil with large bubbles.
お湯がぐらぐらに煮え立つ
Dizzy or Wavering
Indicates a spinning head feeling like one might fall over, or a wavering state of mind.
頭がぐらぐらする
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐらぐらする
Used as a verb to indicate that something is actively wobbling, shaking, or that someone feels dizzy.
ぐらぐらと揺れる
ぐらぐらに煮え立つ
ぐらぐらの名詞
How to Use
Common Phrases
歯がぐらぐらする
a tooth is loose/wobbly
ぐらぐら揺れる
to shake violently or unsteadily
お湯がぐらぐらに煮え立つ
water boils at a rolling boil
頭がぐらぐらする
head is spinning/dizzy
ぐらぐらの椅子
a wobbly chair
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing physical broken objects | Warning | Often used to warn that the object (like a chair or pillar) is unsafe and might break. |
| Describing boiling water | Neutral | Describes the stage where the water is truly hot and bubbling intensely, rather than just simmering. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ゆらゆら ゆらゆら / similar | Used for objects swaying slowly and gently in the air or water, such as leaves or smoke. | Not used for something whose foundation is dangerously broken or loose like a tooth. | 葉がゆらゆら揺れる |
くらくら くらくら / similar | Specifically used for a spinning or dark sensation in the head (dizziness). | Cannot be used for physical wobbly objects like desks or teeth, nor for boiling water. | 頭がくらくらする |
がたがた がたがた / similar | Used when something shakes hard and makes a loud physical clattering or rattling noise. | Differs from guragura, which focuses more on the loss of balance or a loose foundation rather than just the loud sound. | 窓ががたがた鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
歯がゆらゆらする
Use 歯がぐらぐらする. The word yurayura is used for beautifully swaying objects, not for broken or loose things.
お湯がくらくらする
Use お湯がぐらぐら沸く. The word kurakura is exclusively used for humans feeling dizzy, not for water.
Examples
Examples
地震で建物がぐらぐらと揺れた。
じしんでたてものがぐらぐらとゆれた。
The building shook violently in the earthquake.
LiteralDescribes strong physical shaking due to the loss of stable ground.
虫歯のせいで、奥歯がぐらぐらしている。
むしばのせいで、おくばがぐらぐらしている。
My back tooth is loose because of a cavity.
LiteralThis is one of the most common uses, describing a tooth that is about to fall out.
鍋の中でお湯がぐらぐら沸いている。
なべのなかでおゆがぐらぐらわいている。
The water in the pot is at a rolling boil.
VisualUsed to describe water boiling strongly with many large bubbles.
熱が高くて頭がぐらぐらする。
ねつがたかくてあたまがぐらぐらする。
My fever is high and my head is spinning.
FigurativeDescribes the feeling of losing physical balance due to illness.
この椅子は脚がぐらぐらしていて危ない。
このいすはあしがぐらぐらしていてあぶない。
This chair has wobbly legs and is dangerous.
LiteralIndicates that the foundation of an object is broken and needs fixing.
Similar Words
ゆらゆら
ゆらゆら
Used for objects swaying slowly and gently in the air or water, such as leaves or smoke. Not used for something whose foundation is dangerously broken or loose like a tooth.
揺ら揺ら
yurayura
It describes a slow, gentle, and continuous swaying or wavering motion.
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. Specifically used for a spinning or dark sensation in the head (dizziness). Cannot be used for physical wobbly objects like desks or teeth, nor for boiling water.
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. Used when something shakes hard and makes a loud physical clattering or rattling noise. Differs from guragura, which focuses more on the loss of balance or a loose foundation rather than just the loud sound.
Questions
Can I use guragura for an earthquake?
Yes, guragura is very commonly used to describe the ground or a building shaking unstably and dangerously due to an earthquake.
What is the difference between guragura and kurakura when feeling dizzy?
Kurakura focuses more on your vision turning dark or spinning internally, while guragura gives the impression that your physical body is losing balance and you might fall over.
Can guragura be used to describe a person's character?
Yes, it can be used figuratively for a person whose intentions, decisions, or policies are easily swayed and not firm.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 916442248
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/ぐらぐら
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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