Entry
ほかほか
hokahoka
Describes something pleasantly warm, or freshly cooked food that is steaming hot.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures the sensation of a pleasant, comforting warmth. It is most commonly used for freshly cooked, steaming food like rice or steamed buns, or the cozy warmth of one's body or a blanket.
- Steaming hot food
- Comfortably warm body
Sense Map
Steaming Food
Freshly cooked food that is hot and steaming.
炊きたてのほかほかご飯。
Cozy Warmth
A comfortable, cozy warmth of the body or an object.
体がほかほかする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ほかほかの + Noun
Used to describe a warm or steaming object, typically food (rice, buns) or bedding (blankets).
ほかほか（と）する
ほかほかだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that something is currently warm and cozy.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ほかほかご飯
steaming hot rice
体がほかほかする
one's body feels pleasantly warm
ほかほかのお弁当
a warm bento box
ほかほかの布団
a warm and cozy futon/blanket
ほかほかの中華まん
hot steamed meat buns
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food | positive | Implies the food is freshly made, steaming, and very appetizing. |
| Body / Physical | positive | Implies a healthy, cozy warmth, often after bathing, drinking something hot, or exercising. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽかぽか ぽかぽか / similar | For pleasant, sunny weather or warmth from the sun. | ほかほか is more commonly used for steaming food or coziness from blankets/body heat, not the outdoor weather. | ぽかぽかした天気 |
ほやほや ほやほや / similar | For something that has just been done or made (e.g., fresh out of the oven, newlyweds). | ほやほや focuses on the 'freshness' and newly completed status rather than just the physical warmth. | 新婚ほやほや |
ほっこり ほっこり / similar | For warm, fluffy food textures (like sweet potatoes) or a heartwarming, relaxed emotional state. | ほかほか focuses purely on the steaming physical heat, while ほっこり implies emotional comfort or soft textures. | ほっこりした気分 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe hot summer weather.
Use ほかほか for comforting warmth like food or blankets. For hot weather, use 暑い (atsui) or ぽかぽか (pokapoka) for pleasant sunny days.
Using it for boiling water or dangerously hot things.
ほかほか is a cozy, pleasant warmth, not a painful heat. For boiling water, use ぐらぐら (guragura).
Examples
Examples
炊きたてのほかほかご飯を食べる。
たきたてのほかほかごはんをたべる。
Eating freshly cooked steaming hot rice.
LiteralIndicates that the rice is hot and still giving off warm steam.
お風呂から上がって体がほかほかしている。
おふろからあがってからだがほかほかしている。
My body is pleasantly warm after getting out of the bath.
LiteralDescribes the sensation of warmth throughout the body from within.
寒い夜はほかほかの布団に入って眠るのが一番だ。
さむいよるはほかほかのふとんにはいってねむるのがいちばんだ。
On a cold night, getting into a nice warm futon to sleep is the best.
LiteralFocuses on the physical comfort of touching a warm surface.
冬の帰り道にほかほかの中華まんを買った。
ふゆのかえりみちにほかほかのちゅうかまんをかった。
I bought a hot steamed bun on my way home in the winter.
LiteralDescribes freshly steamed food in winter that is very appetizing.
ストーブの前にいると、手足がほかほかしてくる。
ストーブのまえにいると、てあしがほかほかしてくる。
Being in front of the heater makes my hands and feet feel nice and warm.
LiteralShows the process of body temperature slowly rising to a comfortable warmth.
Similar Words
ぽかぽか
pokapoka
ぽかぽか (pokapoka) describes a comfortable, pleasant warmth like spring sunshine, or the action of hitting someone repeatedly. Used for the warmth of the weather or sun, not for food temperatures.
ほやほや
hoyahoya
Describes something that is freshly made and piping hot, or someone who has just recently acquired a new status. Emphasizes that something is 'freshly made' or 'just happened'.
ほっこり
hokkori
This word describes a physically warm and soft texture, as well as a heart-warming feeling of relaxation or relief. Often used for fluffy food textures or a heartwarming, relaxed emotional state.
Questions
Can I use ほかほか to describe hot summer weather?
No, ほかほか is not used for the weather. It describes a cozy, comforting warmth of objects (like food or blankets) or the body. For warm weather, use ぽかぽか (pokapoka) instead.
Is ほかほか used for spicy food?
No, it strictly describes physical temperature (steaming hot), not the spicy heat of ingredients like chili. For spicy food, use 辛い (karai).
Can ほかほか describe boiling water?
No, ほかほか implies a gentle, safe, and pleasant warmth. For dangerously hot or boiling water, you should use words like ぐらぐら (guragura) or 熱湯 (nettou).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011590
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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