Entry
ひたひた
hitahita
It describes a liquid level just barely covering a submerged object, or something steadily and inexorably approaching.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, 'hitahita' serves two very distinct primary functions. First, it is an essential cooking term referring to the exact amount of liquid needed to just barely cover the ingredients in a pot. Second, it figuratively describes something—such as footsteps, danger, or an impending crisis—that is steadily, quietly, and inexorably creeping closer, often carrying an ominous tone. It can also describe the gentle, rhythmic sound of small waves lapping against the shore.
- Liquid just covering ingredients
- Steadily approaching threat
- Sound of lapping waves
Sense Map
Liquid Level
A state where the amount of liquid is just enough to cover the surface of an object or ingredients.
水をひたひたに入れる。
Steadily Approaching
Something steadily and certainly creeping closer, often used for danger, crisis, or footsteps.
危機がひたひたと迫る。
Lapping Waves
The gentle sound of small waves repeatedly washing up on a shore or the edge of a container.
波がひたひたと打ち寄せる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ひたひたの + Noun
Used to modify a noun, usually 'mizu' (water) or 'yu' (hot water).
ひたひたに + Verb
Functions as an adverbial phrase of state when performing an action like soaking (浸す).
ひたひたと + Verb
Used to describe the manner in which something moves or approaches steadily.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひたひたの水
just enough water to cover
ひたひたに浸す
to soak until just covered
ひたひたと迫る
to approach steadily and inexorably
足音がひたひたと
footsteps creeping steadily closer
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cooking Recipes | neutral | Extremely common as a visual measurement (rather than milliliters) to indicate boiling liquid volume. |
| Danger / Threat | negative | Implies a sense of dread because something bad is constantly getting closer and you cannot stop it. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
たっぷり たっぷり / contrast | Used when there is an abundant or copious amount of liquid. | ひたひた means the liquid is only deep enough to barely cover the surface (the object is still near the surface), whereas たっぷり means there is a very large volume of liquid completely submerging the object with room to spare. | たっぷりの水 |
じわじわ じわじわ / similar | Used when something slowly spreads, permeates, or changes over time. | Both indicate a slow progression, but ひたひた often implies physical movement approaching from a distance steadily, while ジワジワ focuses more on slow permeation, spreading, or a gradually worsening effect. | ジワジワと進む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking 'hitahita' means putting a lot of water in the pot.
Hitahita requires only enough water to barely cover the top of the ingredients; the ingredients should still be right beneath the surface.
Using 'hitahita' for rapid or sudden movement.
Hitahita always implies an unhurried, steady, constant, and creeping movement.
Examples
Examples
鍋にひたひたの水を入れます。
なべに ひたひたの みずを いれます。
Add just enough water to the pot to cover the ingredients.
VisualUsed as a measurement for water when cooking.
野菜をだし汁にひたひたに浸す。
やさいを だしじるに ひたひたに ひたす。
Soak the vegetables in the broth until they are just covered.
VisualDescribes the state of soaking something evenly.
波が岸にひたひたと打ち寄せる。
なみが きしに ひたひたと うちよせる。
Waves are gently lapping against the shore.
LiteralDescribes the constant sound of lapping water.
背後から足音がひたひたと近づいてきた。
はいごから あしおとが ひたひたと ちかづいて きた。
Footsteps crept steadily closer from behind.
FigurativeGives a suspenseful nuance of something unavoidably approaching.
危機がひたひたと迫っている。
ききが ひたひたと せまって いる。
A crisis is steadily closing in.
FigurativeAbstract usage for a worsening situation that cannot be stopped.
Similar Words
たっぷり
tappuri
たっぷり describes having an abundant, highly satisfying amount of something or having ample, loose space. Opposite of hitahita regarding water volume (tappuri means a lot of water).
ジワジワ
jiwajiwa
Something slowly but steadily seeping in, spreading, or approaching. Both mean slow process, but jiwajiwa is more about permeation or unseen changes.
Questions
How much water is 'hitahita' in Japanese recipes?
It's just enough water so that your ingredients (like vegetables or meat) are almost fully submerged. The very top of the ingredients might still be touching the surface.
Does 'hitahita' always have a scary meaning?
No. When used in the kitchen or for the sound of waves, the meaning is completely neutral. But when used to describe movement, it often carries a suspenseful or eerie nuance.
Can I use it for solid objects colliding?
No. This word is closely tied to the characteristics of liquids, either literally (water) or figuratively (a threat washing over you like the tide).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2026250
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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