Entry
もふもふ
mofumofu
Describes thick, dense, pleasantly furry softness, or the act of stroking something with that texture.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
もふもふ is used for a dense, voluminous, touchable pile: cat or dog fur, feathers, plush toys, and fuzzy winter blankets. It also works as a verb (もふもふする) meaning to pet, stroke, or bury your face in something fluffy for comfort. The focus is the inviting surface fibers, not light airy food.
- thick, furry, pleasant-to-touch texture
- the act of petting or snuggling something fluffy
Sense Map
Furry texture
A thick, dense, pleasant surface, especially animal fur, feathers, or plush fabric.
もふもふの犬
Petting action
Stroking, patting, or burying your face in something fluffy to feel comfort.
猫をもふもふする
Usage Note
How to Use
もふもふの + noun
Modifies a noun to say it has a thick, fluffy, furry surface.
もふもふな + noun
The na form; it also describes a noun with dense, pleasant pile.
もふもふする
As a suru-verb, it means to pet or snuggle something fluffy.
もふもふしている
Describes the ongoing state of being thickly fluffy and soft.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もふもふの毛
thick, fluffy fur
猫をもふもふする
to pet a fluffy cat
もふもふなぬいぐるみ
a plush toy with a thick, soft pile
もふもふの毛布
a fuzzy, comforting blanket
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pets | positive | Expresses affection and the wish to pet. Very common with cats, dogs, and rabbits. |
| Blankets, plush toys, and winter clothes | positive | Highlights cozy warmth from a fuzzy pile, not from food or bare skin. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ふわふわ ふわふわ / similar | Use for light, airy softness: clouds, cotton candy, or fresh bread. | ふわふわ highlights lightness. もふもふ highlights a dense furry pile you want to stroke. | ふわふわのパン |
ふかふか ふかふか / nearby | Use for deep, sink-in softness, especially futons, pillows, or thick cushions. | ふかふか is about bounce and depth when pressed. もふもふ is about the fibers on the surface. | ふかふかの布団 |
もこもこ もこもこ / nearby | Use for a puffy, bulky, rounded look, such as a thick sweater or lumpy clouds. | もこもこ highlights a swollen shape. もふもふ highlights the urge to stroke a dense pile. | もこもこのセーター |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using もふもふ for cake, bread, or other soft food.
Use ふわふわ or ふかふか for food. もふもふ implies fur or pile, which sounds unappetizing on food.
Using もふもふ for smooth human skin.
Use すべすべ or ぷにぷに for skin. もふもふ needs a hairy, fuzzy, or plush surface.
Examples
Examples
この猫は毛がもふもふで可愛い。
このねこはけが[もふもふ]でかわいい。
This cat's fur is thick, fluffy, and adorable.
VisualFocuses on the look and touchable texture of the fur.
疲れたときは、愛犬をもふもふして癒やされる。
つかれたときは、あいけんを[もふもふ]していやされる。
When I am tired, petting my dog helps me unwind.
LiteralUsed as a verb for the act of petting.
冬はモフモフの毛布に包まるのが一番だ。
ふゆは[モフモフ]のもうふにくるまるのがいちばんだ。
In winter, wrapping up in a thick fluffy blanket is the best.
LiteralDescribes a fuzzy blanket; katakana adds a cute, casual feel.
アルパカのもふもふな手触りがたまらない。
アルパカの[もふもふ]なてざわりがたまらない。
An alpaca's thick, fluffy coat is irresistible to the touch.
LiteralEmphasizes the direct tactile feel of the coat.
モフモフした子犬の動画を見ると、心がほっとする。
[モフモフ]したこいぬのどうがをみると、こころがほっとする。
Watching a video of a fluffy puppy makes the heart feel at ease.
FigurativeFigurative comfort: the fluffy look itself feels soothing.
Similar Words
もこもこ
mokomoko
A puffy, bulky shape, like a thick sweater, not the urge to stroke a furry pile.
ふわふわ
fuwafuwa
Fuwafuwa describes things that are light, airy, and soft to the touch, or things that float and drift gently. Highlights airy lightness like a cloud or bread, not a dense furry pile.
ふかふか
fukafuka
Describes something voluminous, resilient, and pleasantly soft to the touch, like a thick futon or freshly baked bread. Deep, voluminous softness you can sink into, like a pillow or futon.
Questions
How is もふもふ different from ふわふわ?
ふわふわ is light and airy, like a cloud or bread. もふもふ is a dense, thick pile, like sheep's wool or a fuzzy blanket.
Can もふもふ be a verb?
Yes. もふもふする means to pet, stroke, or bury your face in something fluffy for comfort.
Can I use もふもふ for human hair?
Usually no. Soft hair is more often さらさら or ふわふわ. もふもふ sounds natural only if the hair is unusually thick and animal-like, often as a joke.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2760030
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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