Entry
もこもこ
mokomoko
Describes something thick, soft, and voluminous, or a puffy, uneven bulge such as muscles or piled clouds.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Use this word for winter clothes, blankets, or animal fur that looks and feels thick and full. It also covers a layered, protruding shape, such as well-defined muscles or billowing clouds. The feeling is thicker and more voluminous than mere lightness.
- Thick, soft clothes or fur
- A puffy or layered bulge
Sense Map
Thick and Soft
For winter clothing, blankets, or animal fur that is thick, soft, and full.
もこもこのセーター
Puffy Shape
For a protruding, layered shape such as bulging muscles or piled clouds.
筋肉がもこもこしている
Usage Note
How to Use
もこもこする
Describes looking or feeling thick, soft, and bulky.
もこもこした + noun
Modifies a noun as thick, fluffy, or bulging.
もこもこと + verb
Describes an action that produces a puffy or swelling shape.
もこもこの + noun
Links directly to a noun that is thick and fluffy.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もこもこのセーター
a thick, fluffy sweater
もこもこした毛
thick, fluffy fur
もこもこの靴下
thick fluffy socks
筋肉がもこもこする
muscles bulge in lumps
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and blankets | Positive | Suggests warmth, comfort, and a winter-ready feel. |
| Body shape or muscles | Neutral | Describes visibly bulging muscles, sometimes with a slightly exaggerated feel. |
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 such as cotton, for something drifting or floating, or for a dizzy, unfocused state of mind. | ふわふわ covers airy texture, floating motion, and a dizzy or unserious mood. もこもこ highlights bulky thickness and a puffy shape, not floating or dizziness. | ふわふわのパン |
もふもふ もふもふ / similar | Use for thick, dense, very soft fur or fabric, or for the act of stroking and nuzzling something fluffy. | もふもふ highlights strokeable strands and the act of petting. もこもこ highlights a bulky, swollen shape, not the urge to stroke. | 猫をもふもふする |
ふかふか ふかふか / similar | Use for a futon, pillow, or towel that yields and springs back when pressed, and for bread or buns that have risen fully. | ふかふか is for things you sink into and for risen food. もこもこ is rarely used for food; it focuses on an outer, layered, bulky shape. | ふかふかの布団 |
ふわもこ ふわもこ / similar | Use for winter clothes or blankets that are both thick and soft, and for fluffy pets or stuffed toys that look adorable. | ふわもこ blends airy softness with thickness, for clothes and pets. もこもこ stresses volume and lumps, and need not feel light. | ふわもこのブランケット |
ぼこぼこ ぼこぼこ / contrast | Use for a dented or uneven surface, for a strongly boiling liquid, or in slang for beating someone badly. | ボコボコ covers dents, boiling, and slang for a beating. もこもこ is a soft outward swell, not a hard dent or a thrashing. | 道がボコボコだ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using mokomoko for bread, cake, or other soft food.
For light, soft food, use fuwafuwa or fukafuka. Mokomoko is rarely used for food.
Assuming mokomoko always means lightweight, like cotton.
Mokomoko implies bulk and thickness. For airy lightness, fuwafuwa is a better fit.
Examples
Examples
冬はもこもこした靴下を履くのが好きだ。
ふゆは もこもこした くつしたを はくのが すきだ。
I like wearing thick, fluffy socks in winter.
LiteralDescribes thick, warm winter socks.
この犬は毛がもこもこしていてかわいい。
このいぬは けが もこもこしていて かわいい。
This dog looks adorable with its thick, fluffy fur.
LiteralShows thick, full, soft dog fur.
彼は筋トレをしていて、腕の筋肉がもこもこしている。
かれは きんとれを していて、うでの きんにくが もこもこしている。
He lifts weights, and the muscles in his arms bulge in lumps.
VisualDescribes muscles swelling outward in layered lumps.
夏の空にもこもこした入道雲が出ている。
なつの そらに もこもこした にゅうどうぐもが でている。
Puffy piled thunderheads are forming in the summer sky.
VisualDescribes piled, swelling clouds in the sky.
もこもこのセーターを着たら、腕が動かしにくかった。
もこもこの セーターを きたら、うでが うごかしにくかった。
After I put on that thick, bulky sweater, it was hard to move my arms.
LiteralShows clothing so thick that movement feels restricted.
Similar Words
ふわふわ
fuwafuwa
Fuwafuwa describes things that are light, airy, and soft to the touch, or things that float and drift gently. Lighter and airier; also used for floating or a dizzy mood, not layered bulk.
もふもふ
mofumofu
Describes thick, dense, pleasantly furry softness, or the act of stroking something with that texture. Focuses on strokeable strands and the act of petting, not on a swollen outline.
ふかふか
fukafuka
Describes something voluminous, resilient, and pleasantly soft to the touch, like a thick futon or freshly baked bread. Cushioned give when pressed, including risen bread; not surface clumps.
ふわもこ
fuwamoko
Fuwamoko describes something that is simultaneously soft to the touch and thickly fluffy or voluminous. Combines airy softness and thickness on clothes or pets; もこもこ stresses volume more.
ボコボコ
bokoboko
Describes something full of dents or bumps, a heavy bubbling sound, or the act of beating someone up severely. Dented surfaces, boiling liquid, or slang for a beating; unlike a soft outward swell.
Questions
Does mokomoko just mean soft?
No. It adds thickness, volume, and a layered look, not softness alone.
Can mokomoko describe food such as bread?
Rarely. For soft bread or cake, fuwafuwa or fukafuka sounds more natural.
Can mokomoko describe a person?
Yes: someone in many thick layers who looks round, or someone with strongly bulging muscles.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2104980
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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