Entry
もりもり
morimori
This word describes doing something with great physical vitality, such as eating heartily with a big appetite, working energetically, or having bulging muscles.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Morimori conveys a sense of robust physical energy and vitality. It is most frequently used to describe someone eating a large amount of food with a healthy appetite, tackling tasks with intense motivation, or showing off large, well-developed muscles. It can also describe courage or energy continuously welling up from within.
- eating heartily
- working energetically
- bulging muscles
- welling up
Sense Map
Eating Heartily
Eating large amounts of food with a very healthy, robust appetite.
もりもり食べる。
Working Energetically
Carrying out a task or activity with intense enthusiasm, vigor, and physical energy.
もりもり働く。
Bulging Muscles
Muscles that are visibly large, prominent, and highly developed.
筋肉がモリモリだ。
Welling Up of Strength
A state where physical strength, courage, or motivation continuously grows and overflows.
力がもりもり湧く。
Usage Note
How to Use
もりもり + verb
Used directly before an action verb (like eating or working) to show that the action is done vigorously.
もりもりと + verb
Functions similarly to the pattern above, but the particle 'to' adds a slightly more emphatic adverbial feel.
モリモリだ
Used at the end of a sentence to describe a physical state, most commonly referring to bulging muscles.
モリモリの + noun
Used to modify a noun that has large volume or looks visibly muscular.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もりもり食べる
To eat heartily
もりもり働く
To work energetically
筋肉モリモリ
Bulging muscles
力がもりもり湧く
Strength welling up
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eating meals | positive | Shows a healthy appetite and vitality, often used to praise someone's eating habits. |
| Physical appearance | neutral | Specifically describes large, bulging muscles. In this context, it is frequently written in katakana (モリモリ). |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばりばり ばりばり / nearby | When working very quickly, productively, and without stopping. | Focuses on the speed and efficiency of the output rather than the overflowing physical energy seen in morimori. | バリバリ働く。 |
ぱくぱく ぱくぱく / nearby | When eating by opening and closing the mouth quickly and repeatedly. | Focuses on the rapid, light movement of the mouth rather than the hearty volume and vigorous appetite. | ぱくぱく食べる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe eating delicately, elegantly, or in small portions.
Use it specifically for eating heartily, vigorously, and usually in large, satisfying amounts.
Assuming this word applies to mental tasks, quiet intelligence, or delicate brainwork.
It consistently focuses on physical energy, bodily vitality, or a visibly intense level of enthusiasm.
Examples
Examples
食欲旺盛で、毎日ご飯をもりもり食べる。
しょくよくおうせいで、まいにちごはんをもりもりたべる。
Having a healthy appetite, they eat rice heartily every day.
LiteralShows a very healthy appetite and an energetic way of eating.
彼はジムに通って、筋肉がモリモリになった。
かれはじむにかよって、きんにくがモリモリになった。
He went to the gym and his muscles became visibly bulging.
VisualDescribes the physical change of muscles becoming large and prominent.
応援の言葉を聞いて、勇気がもりもり湧いてきた。
おうえんのことばをきいて、ゆうきがもりもりわいてきた。
Hearing the words of support, courage welled up strongly within me.
FigurativeUsed figuratively for emotion or courage continuously increasing.
新しいプロジェクトに向けて、もりもり働いている。
あたらしいぷろじぇくとにむけて、もりもりはたらいている。
Heading into the new project, they are working energetically.
LiteralShows high enthusiasm and motivation while performing a task.
成長期の子供たちは、野菜もお肉ももりもり食べる。
せいちょうきのこどもたちは、やさいもおにくももりもりたべる。
Growing children eat both vegetables and meat very heartily.
LiteralIllustrates youthful vitality and the ability to consume large amounts of food.
Similar Words
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. Focuses on speed and productivity rather than overflowing physical energy.
ぱくぱく
pakupaku
Describes the repeated opening and closing of a mouth, or the action of eating heartily and continuously. Focuses more on the rapid movement of the mouth while eating rather than eating large volumes.
バクバク
bakubaku
Describes a strongly pounding heartbeat from intense nervousness or exertion, or the action of devouring food in large, energetic bites.
しっかり
shikkari
Describes a state of being firm, secure, or doing something thoroughly and reliably.
Questions
Can I use morimori for studying or desk work?
Yes, if you want to emphasize tackling the work with intense, visible energy and drive. However, it is much more naturally associated with physical tasks.
Is it usually written in hiragana or katakana?
Both are common. Hiragana is often used for eating or working, while katakana is preferred when describing bulging muscles.
Does it only apply to humans?
No, it can also be used for animals when they are eating vigorously with a very strong appetite.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012700
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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