Entry
メリメリ
merimeri
The loud, continuous, and heavy sound of thick solid objects (like wood, ice, or large structures) cracking, splintering, or ripping apart under immense pressure.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes a powerful, often destructive cracking or tearing noise. It is used when large, sturdy objects or structures, such as thick tree trunks, thick ice, or heavy floorboards, yield to heavy weight or pressure and begin to break apart or violently tear.
- heavy cracking of solid objects
- violent ripping
- creaking under extreme pressure
Sense Map
Heavy Cracking/Splintering
Used when thick materials like large trees, ice, or architectural structures break or crack with a heavy, threatening sound.
太い木がメリメリと折れる
Violent Ripping/Peeling
Used when something strongly attached is forcefully peeled or torn off, producing a loud, heavy tearing sound.
壁がメリメリ剥がれる
Usage Note
How to Use
メリメリと + verb
The standard way to describe an ongoing process of heavy cracking, breaking, or forceful tearing.
メリメリ音を立てる
Means 'to make a loud cracking sound', often used when something is under immense strain and is about to break completely.
メリメリ + verb
Direct adverbial usage without a particle, though slightly less common than the form with と.
How to Use
Common Phrases
メリメリと音を立てる
to make a loud cracking/splintering sound
メリメリと折れる
to break with a heavy cracking noise
メリメリ剥がれる
to be ripped off with a loud, heavy sound
メリメリ割れる
to crack/split with a heavy noise
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Destruction of large objects (thick trees, ice, roofs) | negative | Indicates dangerous, heavy, and immense destructive power. |
| Tearing something heavy away from a surface | neutral | Focuses on the intense physical force required and the resulting loud noise. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばりばり ばりばり / similar | Use for the sound of tearing stiff paper, rough cloth, or crunching hard food vigorously. | Lacks the heavy, structural weight of メリメリ. バリバリ is sharper and applies to thinner materials or energetic actions. | バリバリと紙を破る |
めきめき めきめき / similar | Use for the creaking of strained hard objects or to describe rapid, remarkable progress/growth. | While it can also mean creaking, メキメキ is heavily used figuratively for rapid skill improvement, whereas メリメリ is strictly for physical cracking/tearing. | メキメキと上達する |
ぼきぼき ぼきぼき / similar | Use for the snapping of thin stick-like objects (twigs) or cracking knuckles/joints. | Reserved for smaller, discrete snaps, unlike the continuous, large-scale structural destruction implied by メリメリ. | 指をボキボキ鳴らす |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe tearing thin paper or breaking a small twig.
Use バリバリ (baribari) or ビリビリ (biribiri) for paper, and ポキッ (poki) or ボキボキ (bokiboki) for twigs. メリメリ implies significant mass and force.
Using it for emotional or abstract 'breaking', like a breaking heart.
This mimetic word describes a purely physical, auditory phenomenon. It cannot be used metaphorically for emotions.
Examples
Examples
台風で太い木がメリメリと折れた。
たいふうでふといきがメリメリとおれた。
The thick tree broke with a loud cracking sound due to the typhoon.
LiteralShows natural force destroying a large solid object.
床板が重みでメリメリ音を立てている。
ゆかいたがおもみでメリメリおとをたてている。
The floorboards are making a loud creaking sound under the weight.
LiteralFocuses on the physical strain before potential failure.
凍った湖の氷がメリメリと割れ始めた。
こおったみずうみのこおりがメリメリとわれはじめた。
The ice on the frozen lake started cracking with a heavy sound.
LiteralUsed for wide, thick, hard surfaces like ice.
強風で屋根がメリメリ剥がれてしまった。
きょうふうでやねがメリメリはがれてしまった。
The roof was ripped off by the strong winds with a loud noise.
LiteralShows something strongly attached being forcefully separated.
巨大な岩がメリメリと二つに裂けた。
きょだいないわがメリメリとふたつにさけた。
The giant rock split in two with a massive cracking sound.
LiteralOften used in extreme situations or fantasy contexts.
Similar Words
ボキボキ
bokiboki
For smaller, thinner objects like twigs or joints.
バリバリ
baribari
バリバリ describes doing something with intense energy and force, such as working highly effectively, tearing things roughly, or eating hard food with a loud crunch. For tearing thinner objects or vigorous actions.
メキメキ
mekimeki
Mekimeki describes something improving or growing at a remarkably rapid pace, or the loud creaking sound of rigid objects like wood breaking under pressure. Can mean heavy creaking, but often means rapid progress.
Questions
Can I use merimeri for tearing paper?
No. For tearing paper, you should use biribiri or baribari. Merimeri is for thick, heavy, solid objects like wooden boards or thick ice.
What is the difference between merimeri and bokiboki?
Bokiboki is for snapping smaller stick-like objects or cracking joints. Merimeri is for large-scale structural cracking, like a huge tree trunk splintering.
Does merimeri mean the object is completely broken?
Usually yes, but if used as 'merimeri oto o tateru' (making a cracking sound), it means the object is currently yielding under extreme strain and may be on the verge of breaking.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2549650
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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