Entry
ジュワッ
juwa
Describes the sudden bursting of savory juice from food or a wet, glossy shine in makeup.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word that expresses the sudden release of abundant moisture. It is commonly used to describe the appetizing sound and sensation of savory meat juices or sweet fruit juices bursting out when bitten. Recently, it is also widely used in cosmetics to describe a wet, glowing, and flushed look, much like a juicy fruit.
- Juicy & Sizzling Food
- Glossy & Flushed Makeup
Sense Map
Juicy & Sizzling Food
Used to describe the sudden release of juice from food (like meat or fruit) when bitten, or the sizzling sound of cooking.
肉汁がジュワッと溢れる
Glossy & Flushed Makeup
Used in beauty contexts to describe a wet, glowing, and vibrant finish, often referring to lips or cheeks.
ジュワッとした血色感
Usage Note
How to Use
ジュワッと + 動詞 (Verb)
Used as an adverb to describe an action, such as juice bursting out or a sizzling sound echoing on a hot pan.
ジュワッとした + 名詞 (Noun)
Modifies a noun to describe a juicy or glossy state, often used with makeup terms like a flushed complexion.
How to Use
Common Phrases
肉汁がジュワッと溢れる
meat juices bursting out
ジュワッと音がする
to make a sizzling sound
果汁がジュワッと広がる
fruit juice suddenly spreading
ジュワッとしたツヤ
a wet, glossy shine
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing food (meat or fruit) | Positive | Makes the food sound highly appetizing and rich in moisture. |
| Describing cosmetics | Positive | Implies a trendy, youthful, and naturally hydrated glow. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じわじわ じわじわ / contrast | Use for something slowly and continuously oozing or progressing. | Does not have the sudden, bursting impact or appetizing sound of juwa. | 汗がジワジワと滲む |
てらてら てらてら / contrast | Use for a continuous, often greasy or superficial shine. | Focuses on surface reflection which can sometimes be negative or oily, whereas juwa feels fresh and moisture-rich. | 顔がてらてらと光る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a slow leak of water from a pipe.
Juwa requires a sense of pressure or sudden burst, usually related to appetizing food or heat. Use じわじわ (jiwajiwa) or ぽたぽた (potapota) instead.
Using it to describe matte or dry makeup finishes.
Juwa specifically implies a wet, glossy, or highly hydrated finish.
Examples
Examples
焼きたてのハンバーグを切ると、肉汁がジュワッと溢れ出した。
焼きたて(やきたて)のハンバーグ(はんばーぐ)を[切る]{きる}と、[肉汁]{にくじゅう}が[ジュワッと]{じゅわっと}[溢れ出した]{あふれだした}。
When I cut the freshly baked hamburger steak, the meat juices burst out.
LiteralDescribes the abundant meat juices bursting out.
その果物を一口噛むと、甘い果汁がジュワッと口の中に広がった。
その[果物]{くだもの}を[一口]{ひとくち}[噛む]{かむ}と、[甘い]{あまい}[果汁]{かじゅう}が[ジュワッと]{じゅわっと}[口]{くち}の[中]{なか}に[広がった]{ひろがった}。
When I took a bite of the fruit, the sweet juice burst and spread in my mouth.
LiteralDescribes the fresh, sweet fruit juice suddenly spreading.
このリップグロスを塗ると、ジュワッとした血色感が出る。
このリップグロス(りっぷぐろす)を[塗る]{ぬる}と、[ジュワッ]{じゅわっ}とした[血色感]{けっしょくかん}が[出る]{でる}。
Applying this lip gloss gives a juicy, flushed complexion look.
VisualDescribes a glossy makeup finish that seems to radiate color from within.
熱いフライパンに油を引くと、ジュワッと音がした。
[熱い]{あつい}フライパン(ふらいぱん)に[油]{あぶら}を[引く]{ひく}と、[ジュワッと]{じゅわっと}[音]{おと}がした。
When I poured oil into the hot frying pan, it made a sizzling sound.
LiteralDescribes the characteristic sizzling sound when a liquid touches a hot surface.
揚げたての唐揚げは、衣がサクサクで中からジュワッと脂が出る。
[揚げたて]{あげたて}の[唐揚げ]{からあげ}は、[衣]{ころも}がサクサク(さくさく)で[中]{なか}から[ジュワッと]{じゅわっと}[脂]{あぶら}が[出る]{でる}。
Freshly fried chicken has a crispy batter and juices bursting from the inside.
LiteralCombines the sensation of being crispy on the outside and highly juicy on the inside.
Similar Words
ジワジワ
jiwajiwa
Something slowly but steadily seeping in, spreading, or approaching. Used for slowly oozing moisture, contrasting with the sudden burst of juwa.
てらてら
teratera
Teratera describes a surface that smoothly reflects light, typically due to a coating of oil, sweat, or a highly polished, slick texture. Describes a continuous, often greasy shine, lacking the fresh, moisture-rich feel of juwa.
テカテカ
tekateka
Tekateka describes a continuous, solid shine on a smooth surface, often caused by oil, grease, or heavy polishing.
ちゅるちゅる
churuchuru
Describes the sound of slurping lightly or a state of being smooth, glossy, and well-hydrated.
Questions
What is the difference between ジュワッ and ジューシー (juicy)?
They are very similar in meaning. ジューシー is an adjective used to describe something full of juice, while ジュワッ is the Japanese onomatopoeia that vividly describes the action or sound of that juiciness bursting.
Can I use ジュワッ for drinks?
Usually no. It is used for liquids bursting out of solids (like meat or fruit) or a sizzling sound, rather than plain liquid sitting in a cup.
Why is ジュワッ used in makeup?
It compares the wet, glowing, and vibrant finish of the makeup to the appetizing, shiny surface of juicy fruits or foods.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869881
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- カチャッ (kacha)
- Next entry
- グサグサ (gusagusa)