Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Primarily represents the energetic sound of water splashing, such as when washing clothes or stomping in puddles. Figuratively, it extends to the unsparing or lavish use of liquids (like sauce) and the careless or abundant spending of money.
- vigorous splashing
- pouring plenty of sauce
- lavish spending
Sense Map
Splashing Water
Used to describe the loud sound of water being splashed around with vigorous physical movement.
じゃぶじゃぶと洗う
Pouring Liquid Generously
Describes pouring or soaking something in an excessive amount of liquid, like sauce or dressing.
ソースをじゃぶじゃぶかける
Spending Recklessly
Used figuratively for pouring a vast amount of money into something without hesitation.
お金をじゃぶじゃぶ使う
Usage Note
How to Use
じゃぶじゃぶ（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed with a splash or in abundant quantities.
じゃぶじゃぶ + verb
Used directly before a verb to emphasize lavishness, especially common with spending money.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じゃぶじゃぶ洗う
to wash with a loud splash
じゃぶじゃぶ使う
to spend (money) freely
じゃぶじゃぶかける
to pour (sauce) generously
お湯でじゃぶじゃぶ
splashing in hot water
資金をじゃぶじゃぶ投入する
to pump massive funds into
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Splashing water (washing/playing) | neutral | Emphasizes a somewhat rough, energetic motion rather than careful, quiet cleaning. |
| Pouring liquid (sauce) | neutral | Implies drenching the food completely, ignoring standard, moderate portions. |
| Spending money | negative | Often implies reckless or limitless spending without care for the long-term consequences. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃあじゃあ じゃあじゃあ / similar | For water gushing or pouring continuously (like from a tap). | Not just splashing caused by a single, repeated movement. | 水がじゃあじゃあ流れる |
だぶだぶ だぶだぶ / similar | For oversized, baggy clothing, or heavy liquid sloshing inside a container. | Not used for spending money or outward splashing of water. | だぶだぶのズボンを履く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Mistaking it for gentle water sounds like a shallow stream.
Use sara-sara for a gentle stream. Jabu-jabu requires a forceful, messy splash.
Using it to describe spending a small amount of pocket money.
It implies spending a vast, almost reckless scale of money, not minor purchases.
Examples
Examples
洗濯物をじゃぶじゃぶと洗った。
せんたくものをじゃぶじゃぶとあらった。
I washed the laundry with a vigorous splashing sound.
LiteralIndicates washing with an energetic movement that causes loud water sounds.
子供が水たまりでじゃぶじゃぶ遊んでいる。
こどもがみずたまりでじゃぶじゃぶあそんでいる。
The child is splashing around noisily in the puddle.
LiteralFocuses on the loud sound of stepping or jumping in water.
カツにソースをじゃぶじゃぶかけるのが好きだ。
カツにソースをじゃぶじゃぶかけるのがすきだ。
I like to generously pour sauce all over my cutlet.
VisualIndicates a far larger amount of liquid than usual.
会社は広告に資金をじゃぶじゃぶ使った。
かいしゃはこうこくにしきんをじゃぶじゃぶつかった。
The company poured money freely into advertising.
FigurativeA common business metaphor for injecting or wasting massive amounts of money.
市場にお金がじゃぶじゃぶ余っている。
しじょうにおかねがじゃぶじゃぶあまっている。
There is an excess of money overflowing in the market.
FigurativeIndicates a financial state oversaturated with cash liquidity.
Similar Words
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. Also relates to a lot of water, but jaajaa is for continuously pouring or gushing water.
だぶだぶ
dabudabu
Describes clothing that is noticeably oversized, flabby flesh, or liquids pouring abundantly. Can mean heavy sloshing liquid, but the liquid stays inside a container rather than splashing outward.
ダボダボ
dabodabo
Describes clothing that is excessively baggy and loose-fitting, or the heavy sloshing of liquids.
ガバガバ
gabagaba
Describes something excessively loose or oversized, money rolling in abundantly, or liquids gushing and sloshing vigorously.
ちゃぷちゃぷ
chapuchapu
ちゃぷちゃぷ describes the light, gentle sound of splashing water or liquid sloshing inside a container.
Questions
Can I use jabujabu to describe heavy rain?
No, heavy falling rain is described as zaazaa. Jabujabu refers to water already on the ground or in a container being forcefully agitated.
Does spending money jabujabu have a positive meaning?
It usually carries a slightly negative or amazed nuance, as it implies spending money recklessly or in excessive amounts.
What is the difference between jabujabu and chapuchapu?
Chapuchapu represents a light, small splashing sound, like a baby playing in a bath, whereas jabujabu is a louder, heavier, and more vigorous splash.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005950
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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