Entry
じゃあじゃあ
jaajaa
じゃあじゃあ describes the loud and continuous sound of a large volume of water gushing or pouring out.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia is used for the sound of water rushing out with force, such as from a fully opened faucet, a showerhead, or a hose. It conveys a sense of high volume and a continuous, noisy flow of liquid.
- Gushing water
- Noisy water flow
Sense Map
Gushing Water Flow
Used for the sound of water forcefully streaming from a faucet, hose, or other sources.
水がじゃあじゃあ流れる
Pouring Liquid
Describes a large amount of liquid being poured or spilling continuously, creating a noisy sound.
お湯をじゃあじゃあ出す
Usage Note
How to Use
じゃあじゃあ(と)流れる
Combines with the verb 'nagareru' (to flow) to indicate a forceful, continuous stream of water. The particle 'to' is optional.
じゃあじゃあ(と)出る
Combines with the verb 'deru' (to come out) to describe water rushing out heavily from a pipe or faucet.
じゃあじゃあ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
じゃあじゃあ流れる
flowing gushingly
水がじゃあじゃあ出る
water gushing out
お湯をじゃあじゃあ出す
letting hot water run heavily
じゃあじゃあこぼれる
spilling abundantly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Opening a tap fully | neutral | Simply describes the physical state of water rushing out powerfully and loudly. |
| Leaving the water running | negative | Can sound like a complaint about wasting water if someone leaves the faucet running heavily. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃぶじゃぶ じゃぶじゃぶ / nearby | When focusing on the sound of water splashing, wading through water, or washing something vigorously. | Not used for the sound of a steady, gushing stream of water falling from a tap like じゃあじゃあ. | じゃぶじゃぶと洗濯する |
ごぼごぼ ごぼごぼ / nearby | For the sound of water bubbling, gurgling, boiling, or mixing with air. | Does not describe a heavy, straight, continuous flow of water falling downwards without bubbles. | お湯がごぼごぼ沸く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy rainfall.
Heavy rain is typically described with ざあざあ, not じゃあじゃあ, which is for artificial water sources like taps.
Using it for dripping water.
Dripping water is ぽたぽた. じゃあじゃあ is exclusively for large, gushing volumes of liquid.
Examples
Examples
水道から水がじゃあじゃあと流れている。
すいどうからみずがじゃあじゃあとながれている。
Water is gushing noisily from the faucet.
LiteralDescribes the continuous and heavy flow of water.
シャワーのお湯をじゃあじゃあ出しっぱなしにしないで。
シャワーのおゆをじゃあじゃあだしっぱなしにしないで。
Don't leave the hot water in the shower running heavily.
LiteralCarries a nuance of warning against wasting water.
ホースから水がじゃあじゃあ出ている。
ホースからみずがじゃあじゃあでている。
Water is pouring heavily from the hose.
LiteralFocuses on a large volume of water pouring out.
バケツがひっくり返り、水がじゃあじゃあこぼれた。
バケツがひっくりかえり、みずがじゃあじゃあこぼれた。
The bucket overturned, and the water spilled out heavily.
VisualDescribes a sudden, large amount of liquid being dumped or spilled.
蛇口をひねると、水がじゃあじゃあと音を立てた。
じゃぐちをひねると、みずがじゃあじゃあとおとをたてた。
When I turned the tap, the water made a loud gushing sound.
LiteralEmphasizes the auditory aspect of the water rushing out.
Similar Words
じゃぶじゃぶ
jabujabu
Represents the loud sound of splashing water vigorously, or the reckless and generous use of liquids or money. Focuses on splashing water or washing vigorously.
ごぼごぼ
gobogobo
The heavy, wet sound of a large amount of liquid bubbling, gurgling, or mixing with air. Sound of water bubbling or gurgling.
ざあっ
zaa
The sound of a sudden, heavy downpour of rain or rushing water.
Questions
What is the difference between じゃあじゃあ and ざあざあ?
じゃあじゃあ is generally used for water flowing from pipes, faucets, or hoses, while ざあざあ is mainly used for heavy, pouring rain.
Can I use じゃあじゃあ for a fast-flowing river?
Yes, if the river or waterfall is making a very loud splashing or rushing noise, but ざあざあ or ごうごう might also be used depending on the scale.
Is じゃあじゃあ related to tears?
No, crying heavily is usually described with ぼろぼろ or わあわあ. じゃあじゃあ is reserved for physical liquids like tap water.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005910
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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