Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe a liquid (usually dishes like soup or stew) boiling gently and producing small bubbles. It gives the impression of food being cooked slowly over a long period, making it sound warm and appetizing.
- simmering gently
- bubbling sound
Sense Map
Gentle simmering
Describes the state of liquid, usually thick soup or stew, boiling gently and slowly over low heat.
シチューがぐつぐつ煮える。
Bubbling sound
Describes the sound of small bubbles bursting while liquid is simmering.
鍋がぐつぐつ音を立てる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐつぐつ煮る
Combined with the verb 'niru' (to boil/cook) to describe the action of simmering.
ぐつぐつ（と）煮える
The particle 'to' is often added to describe the ongoing state of something simmering.
ぐつぐつ音を立てる
Used to specifically describe the gentle bubbling sound the liquid is making.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐつぐつ煮る
to simmer
ぐつぐつ煮える
to be simmering
ぐつぐつ煮込む
to stew slowly
ぐつぐつ音を立てる
to make a simmering sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking stews or curries | neutral | Conveys a warm, positive feeling of a delicious meal being prepared slowly. |
| Boiling water on high heat | neutral | Not used in this situation; use グラグラ instead. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐらぐら ぐらぐら / contrast | Used when a liquid is boiling violently over high heat. | ぐつぐつ is for gently simmering, while グラグラ is for a strong, rolling boil. | お湯がグラグラ沸く。 |
ことこと ことこと / similar | Used for the sound of solid ingredients gently hitting each other or the pot while simmering. | ぐつぐつ focuses on the bubbling of thick liquid, while コトコト focuses on the sound of the pot lid or ingredients rattling. | スープをコトコト煮る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe water rapidly boiling at a rolling boil.
Use グラグラ for a rolling boil. ぐつぐつ is strictly for gentle simmering.
Using it for dry foods or baking.
This word is exclusively used for liquids and wet dishes like soups and stews.
Examples
Examples
シチューを弱火でぐつぐつ煮込む。
シチュー を よわび で ぐつぐつ にこむ。
Simmering the stew on low heat.
VisualShows the slow cooking process.
鍋のスープがぐつぐつと煮えている。
なべ の スープ が ぐつぐつ と にえている。
The soup in the pot is simmering gently.
VisualShows the state of small bubbles appearing in the soup.
ソースがぐつぐつ音を立てるまで温める。
ソース が ぐつぐつ おと を たてる まで あたためる。
Heat the sauce until it makes a simmering sound.
LiteralFocuses on the sound of the thick liquid boiling.
カレーをぐつぐつ煮る。
カレー を ぐつぐつ にる。
Gently simmer the curry.
VisualCurry is a classic dish cooked in this manner.
お肉がぐつぐつと柔らかくなるまで煮る。
おにく が ぐつぐつ と やわらかく なる まで にる。
Simmer the meat gently until it becomes tender.
VisualEmphasizes the long time taken to cook hard ingredients.
Similar Words
コトコト
kotokoto
コトコト describes the sound of something simmering gently over low heat, or a light rattling and tapping noise. The sound of ingredients simmering on low heat.
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. Used for violently boiling water (unlike gutsugutsu which is gentle simmering).
Questions
What is the difference between ぐつぐつ and グラグラ?
ぐつぐつ is for gently simmering with small bubbles, while グラグラ is for a fast, violent, rolling boil with large bubbles.
What is the difference between ぐつぐつ and コトコト?
Both are for simmering, but ぐつぐつ focuses on the thick liquid bubbling, while コトコト focuses on the gentle rattling sound of the solid ingredients or the lid.
Can it be used for non-food items?
It can occasionally be used for other thick liquids bubbling slowly, but it is almost exclusively used in cooking contexts.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2007940
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- ぐるっと (gurutto)