Entry
くちゃくちゃ
kuchakucha
Describes the sound of smacking lips while chewing with an open mouth, or the physical state of being crumpled and messy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word carries two main meanings. First, it refers to the annoying, impolite sound of eating or chewing food with an open mouth. Second, it describes the physical state of something being thoroughly crumpled, wrinkled, or messy, like crushed paper or untidy hair.
- The sound of eating noisily
- Being crumpled or wrinkled
- Being in an untidy or messy state
Sense Map
Eating noisily
The annoying sound made when chewing gum or food with an open mouth.
ガムをくちゃくちゃ噛む
Crumpled
The state of physical objects like paper or bills being crumpled up.
くちゃくちゃに丸めた紙
Messy / Untidy
The state of things like hair or wires becoming disorganized and messy.
髪の毛がくちゃくちゃになる
Usage Note
How to Use
くちゃくちゃと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, specifically chewing (噛む) or eating (食べる).
くちゃくちゃに + verb
Shows the result of a change in state, such as becoming messy (なる) or crumpling something up (丸める).
くちゃくちゃの + noun
Acts as an adjective to modify a noun that is in a crumpled or messy state, like a wrinkled bill (お札).
How to Use
Common Phrases
くちゃくちゃと食べる
to eat with a smacking sound
くちゃくちゃに丸める
to crumple up (paper)
ガムをくちゃくちゃ噛む
to chew gum noisily
くちゃくちゃになる
to become a crumpled mess
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eating / Chewing | Negative | Highly critical of poor table manners. It specifically targets the smacking of lips. |
| Paper / Clothes / Hair | Neutral | Simply describes the physical state of being wrinkled, crumpled, or messy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐちゃぐちゃ ぐちゃぐちゃ / similar | Use 'guchagucha' for a wet, sloppy mess or something completely destroyed. | Not the same because 'kuchakucha' is usually for dry crumpled things (like paper) or chewing sounds, while 'guchagucha' implies wetness or complete chaotic ruin. | ぐちゃぐちゃの泥 |
くしゃくしゃ くしゃくしゃ / similar | Use 'kushakusha' for things that are softly crumpled or wrinkled, like a tissue, a crying face, or a pet's fur. | Very similar when meaning 'crumpled', but 'kushakusha' cannot be used for the sound of chewing. | くしゃくしゃの笑顔 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kuchakucha' for slurping noodles.
Slurping noodles is 'zuruzuru'. 'Kuchakucha' is specifically the smacking sound of lips opening and closing while chewing.
Using 'kuchakucha' for a muddy puddle.
Muddy, wet messes are 'guchagucha' or 'bechabecha'. 'Kuchakucha' usually refers to dry crumpled states.
Examples
Examples
電車の中でガムをくちゃくちゃ噛むのはマナーが悪い。
でんしゃの なかで ガムを くちゃくちゃ かむのは マナーが わるい。
Chewing gum noisily on the train is bad manners.
FigurativeDescribes the annoying smacking sound of chewing with an open mouth, considered bad manners.
失敗したレポートをくちゃくちゃに丸めて捨てた。
しっぱいした レポートを くちゃくちゃに まるめて すてた。
I crumpled up the failed report into a ball and threw it away.
VisualShows the physical state of paper being firmly crumpled up.
強風で髪の毛がくちゃくちゃになってしまった。
きょうふうで かみのけが くちゃくちゃに なって しまった。
My hair got completely messy because of the strong wind.
VisualDescribes hair that has lost its neatness and become tangled or messy.
彼はくちゃくちゃと音を立ててご飯を食べる癖がある。
かれは くちゃくちゃと おとを たてて ごはんを たべる くせが ある。
He has a habit of eating his meals with a smacking noise.
LiteralA direct example of the mouth sound made while chewing food.
ポケットからくちゃくちゃのお札が出てきた。
ポケットから くちゃくちゃの おさつが でて きた。
A thoroughly wrinkled bill came out of the pocket.
VisualUsed as an adjective to describe the condition of a paper bill folded and creased irregularly.
Similar Words
ぐちゃぐちゃ
guchagucha
Describes a state where something has lost its original shape or order due to being crushed, wet, or disorganized. Indicates a much more severe, wet, or destroyed condition than kuchakucha.
くしゃくしゃ
kushakusha
A state of being crumpled, wrinkled, or messy, typically referring to surfaces like paper, clothes, or hair. Similar for crumpled objects, but usually for softer materials and not used for mouth sounds.
ごちゃごちゃ
gochagocha
A state of being messy, chaotic, or mixed up.
Questions
Is くちゃくちゃ only used for eating?
No. While very common for noisy chewing, it is equally common for describing things that are physically crumpled, like paper or clothing.
What is the difference between くちゃくちゃ and ぐちゃぐちゃ?
ぐちゃぐちゃ (guchagucha) usually implies a wet, pulpy, or completely ruined state, while くちゃくちゃ (kuchakucha) is often dry (like crumpled paper) or specifically refers to mouth sounds.
Is making a くちゃくちゃ sound acceptable in Japan?
No. While slurping noodles (zuruzuru) is acceptable, chewing with an open mouth (kuchakucha) is considered very poor manners in Japan.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2140920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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