Entry
くちゅくちゅ
kuchukuchu
A mimetic word representing the light sound of liquid swishing or sloshing in a small space.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kuchukuchu describes the light, wet sound of liquid moving within a confined area. It is most commonly used for the sound of rinsing one's mouth, lightly squishing water in wet shoes, or the soft wet sounds babies make when sucking.
- Rinsing mouth
- Squishing wet shoes
- Soft wet mouth sounds
Sense Map
Rinsing and Swishing
The sound of liquid swishing lightly in a small space, typically the mouth.
口をくちゅくちゅする
Wet Squishing
The light sound of wetness, such as water trapped in shoes or a soft wet chewing sound.
靴がくちゅくちゅ鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
くちゅくちゅする
Used as a verb to mean 'to make a swishing or sloshing sound', often specifically referring to the action of rinsing one's mouth.
くちゅくちゅ(と) + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying actions like chewing, sounding, or rinsing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
口をくちゅくちゅする
to rinse one's mouth
靴がくちゅくちゅ鳴る
shoes make a wet squishing sound
くちゅくちゅペッ
rinse and spit (often used with children)
水がくちゅくちゅ揺れる
water sloshes lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Brushing teeth | positive/neutral | Very commonly used in the phrase kuchukuchu pe to instruct children to rinse and spit. |
| Rainy days | negative | Describes the uncomfortable feeling and sound of walking with waterlogged shoes. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐちゅぐちゅ ぐちゅぐちゅ / similar | Use for messy, overly soggy, or heavy wet sounds (e.g., mud or severe congestion). | Kuchukuchu is much lighter, implies cleaner water, and involves smaller volumes. | ぐちゅぐちゅの泥 |
ぶくぶく ぶくぶく / similar | Use for bubbling sounds, like blowing air into water or a deep throat gargle. | Kuchukuchu is just liquid swishing side to side, not producing large bubbles. | ぶくぶく沈む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe ocean waves.
It only applies to small, confined spaces like a mouth or shoe. Waves would be described with words like zabaan or zaza.
Using it for deep throat gargling.
Deep throat gargling is garagara. Kuchukuchu specifically means rinsing the front of the mouth or cheeks.
Examples
Examples
水で口をくちゅくちゅする。
みずでくちをくちゅくちゅする。
Rinse the mouth with water.
LiteralThe basic action of rinsing lightly in the front of the mouth.
雨で靴の中がくちゅくちゅ鳴っている。
あめでくつのなかがくちゅくちゅなっている。
The inside of my shoes is making a squishing sound because of the rain.
LiteralDescribes the uncomfortable sound of water trapped inside a shoe.
歯磨きの後、くちゅくちゅとうがいをした。
はみがきのあと、くちゅくちゅとうがいをした。
After brushing my teeth, I rinsed my mouth with a swishing sound.
LiteralUsing the adverbial form (+to) to describe the sound while rinsing.
赤ちゃんがくちゅくちゅとおしゃぶりを吸っている。
あかちゃんがくちゅくちゅとおしゃぶりをすっている。
The baby is sucking on the pacifier with a wet squishing sound.
LiteralShows the soft wet sound from the mouth, not necessarily from a large amount of water.
小さな袋の中で水がくちゅくちゅと揺れる。
ちいさなふくろのなかでみずがくちゅくちゅとゆれる。
The water is sloshing around inside a small bag.
LiteralDescribes liquid sloshing in a tight, confined space.
Similar Words
ぐちゅぐちゅ
guchuguchu
Used for heavier, messier liquids (like mud).
Questions
What is the difference between kuchukuchu and garagara?
Kuchukuchu is lightly rinsing the mouth (moving water around the cheeks and teeth), while garagara is gargling deep in the throat while looking up.
Can I use kuchukuchu for walking in thick mud?
No, walking in thick mud produces a heavier, messier sound, which is better described by guchuguchu or dorodoro.
Is this word only used with children?
While the phrase 'kuchukuchu pe' (rinse and spit) is child-directed, the word itself is perfectly normal for adults to use to describe light sloshing sounds, such as wet shoes.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2870496
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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