Entry
コポコポ
kopokopo
A light, pleasant sound of small bubbles rising or a thin liquid gently gurgling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Represents the gentle, relatively high-pitched sound of small bubbles forming in a liquid. It is commonly used for water starting to simmer, the rhythmic sound of an aquarium filter, or a light liquid being poured smoothly from a narrow bottle neck.
- small bubbles
- gentle pouring or flowing
Sense Map
Small Bubbles
The sound of small bubbles rising to the surface, such as in gently simmering water or from an underwater air pump.
お湯がコポコポと沸く
Gentle Pouring/Flowing
The light gurgling or glugging sound made by a thin liquid flowing steadily or being poured out of a container.
水をコポコポと注ぐ
Usage Note
How to Use
コポコポと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like simmering, flowing, or pouring) is accompanied by a gentle bubbling sound.
コポコポ + verb (e.g., 音を立てる)
コポコポする
Used as a verb to describe the state of a liquid currently producing small bubbles.
How to Use
Common Phrases
コポコポと沸く
to boil gently / to simmer with bubbles
コポコポと音を立てる
to make a light bubbling sound
コポコポと注ぐ
to pour with a gentle glug
コポコポと流れる
to flow with a soft gurgle
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Boiling water | Neutral/Positive | Suggests a gentle, controlled simmer, often feeling relaxing or domestic (like preparing tea). |
| Pouring a drink | Neutral | Implies pouring smoothly with a light glugging sound from the bottle neck, without making a mess. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごぼごぼ ごぼごぼ / similar | Use for loud, heavy gurgling, such as a draining pipe, large amounts of rushing water, or intense bubbling. | 'Kopokopo' is much lighter, softer, and involves distinctly smaller bubbles. | トイレの水がごぼごぼと流れる。 |
ぶくぶく ぶくぶく / similar | Use for continuous foaming, larger bubbles, or something swelling up with air/water. | 'Kopokopo' refers more to the distinct, crisp sound of small individual bubbles. | カニがぶくぶくと泡を吹く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kopokopo' for a rolling boil or violent boiling water.
Use 'guragura' for intense, rolling boils. 'Kopokopo' is exclusively for small bubbles or gentle simmering on low heat.
Applying this word to thick, viscous liquids like porridge or heavy stew.
Thick liquids simmering use words like 'futufutu' or 'dorodoro'. 'Kopokopo' is reserved for thin, watery liquids like tea or water.
Examples
Examples
お湯がコポコポと沸いている。
おゆがコポコポとわいている。
The water is boiling gently with small bubbles.
LiteralIndicates the early stage of boiling or a gentle simmer on low heat without violent rolling.
水槽のフィルターがコポコポと音を立てている。
すいそうのフィルターがコポコポとおとをたてている。
The aquarium filter is making a gentle bubbling sound.
LiteralA very common example of a continuous, rhythmic sound of small bubbles.
ボトルからグラスへ水をコポコポと注いだ。
ボトルからグラスへみずをコポコポとそそいだ。
I poured water from the bottle into the glass with a gentle glugging sound.
LiteralDescribes the sound of air entering the bottle as the thin liquid flows out smoothly.
小川の水が岩の間をコポコポと流れている。
おがわのみずがいわのあいだをコポコポとながれている。
The stream water is flowing gently through the rocks with a gurgling sound.
LiteralFits the description of a small flow of water interacting gently with obstacles.
鍋のスープがコポコポと煮え始めた。
なべのスープがコポコポとにえはじめた。
The soup in the pot started to simmer with small bubbles.
VisualIndicates a thin soup (not thick stew) that has just begun to heat up.
Similar Words
ごぼごぼ
gobogobo
The heavy, wet sound of a large amount of liquid bubbling, gurgling, or mixing with air. Used for a louder, heavier gurgling sound of liquid.
ぶくぶく
bukubuku
ぶくぶく describes the sound or sight of bubbles in liquid, something swelling up excessively, or overly baggy clothing. Focuses on producing a lot of foam or continuously larger bubbles.
Questions
Can I use 'kopokopo' for a blocked or draining sink?
Usually no. A draining sink makes a heavier, deeper noise best described by 'gobogobo'.
Is 'kopokopo' an annoying sound?
Not at all. It is generally considered a pleasant, relaxing, and very mild sound.
Does it only apply to water?
It applies to thin liquids in general (like tea, clear soup, or juice), but not to thick or muddy substances.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869904
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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