Entry
むくむく
mukumuku
Describes something vigorously swelling or expanding, such as billowing clouds, welling emotions, or a plump and shaggy appearance.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Mukumuku is a versatile mimetic word in Japanese. It most commonly describes thick smoke or large clouds vigorously expanding and rising. Figuratively, it expresses feelings or ideas, such as anger or curiosity, suddenly welling up and growing strong within oneself. Physically, it is used to describe a pleasantly plump or chubby appearance, like a baby's limbs, or thick, shaggy fur on an animal.
- Billowing smoke and clouds
- Welling emotions
- Plump or shaggy appearance
Sense Map
Smoke and Clouds
Describes thick smoke or large clouds vigorously expanding and rising upward.
煙がむくむくと上がる。
Emotions
Describes feelings or desires suddenly surging and growing strong within oneself.
怒りがむくむくと湧いてきた。
Physical Appearance
Describes a pleasantly thick and chubby body, often babies, or thick and fluffy fur on animals.
むくむくした赤ちゃんの手。
Usage Note
How to Use
むくむくと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe the manner in which something billows, expands, or wells up.
むくむくした + noun
Used to modify a noun, describing it as chubby, plump, or shaggy.
むくむくする
Used as a verb to state that something is swelling, welling up, or has a plump quality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
むくむくと湧く
to well up (emotions)
むくむくと広がる
to expand and spread (smoke or clouds)
むくむくした手
chubby hands
むくむくの犬
shaggy dog
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather and Environment | neutral | Commonly used for cumulonimbus clouds in the summer that rapidly expand. |
| Emotions | neutral | Can be used for positive emotions like curiosity, as well as negative ones like anger, as long as they suddenly grow stronger. |
| Physical Appearance | positive | Gives a cute, healthy, and soft impression when applied to babies or small animals. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
もくもく もくもく / similar | Focuses on the dense, continuous output of dark smoke or thick clouds. | Mokumoku is strictly for smoke and clouds, while mukumuku can also describe welling emotions, physical chubbiness, or animal fur. | 煙がもくもく上がる。 |
ぽっちゃり ぽっちゃり / similar | Used for human figures, especially women's faces or bodies, that are attractively chubby. | Potchari is generally used for humans, whereas mukumuku applies to chubby babies, shaggy animals, or energetically expanding shapes. | ぽっちゃりした顔。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for boiling water.
Use other expressions for boiling liquids. Mukumuku is reserved for smoke, clouds, or feelings.
Using it to describe an overweight adult.
Use futotteiru for general obesity. Mukumuku sounds like cute baby fat or thick animal fur.
Examples
Examples
煙突から黒い煙がむくむくと出ている。
えんとつからくろいけむりがむくむくとでている。
Thick black smoke is billowing from the chimney.
VisualIndicates the volume of smoke increasing and rising upward.
夏の空に大きな雲がむくむくと広がっていく。
なつのそらにおおきなくもがむくむくとひろがっていく。
Large clouds are billowing and expanding in the summer sky.
VisualDescribes the clouds visibly swelling and growing, typical of summer weather.
相手の態度を見て、怒りがむくむくと湧いてきた。
あいてのたいどをみて、いかりがむくむくとわいてきた。
Looking at their attitude, anger welled up inside me.
FigurativeDescribes an emotion that suddenly grows large and strong from within.
赤ちゃんのむくむくした足がたまらなく可愛い。
あかちゃんのむくむくしたあしがたまらなくかわいい。
The baby's chubby legs are irresistibly cute.
VisualHighlights the thick, healthy, and soft physical appearance typical of babies.
熊のようなむくむくの犬が歩いている。
くまのようなむくむくのいぬがあるいている。
A shaggy, bear-like dog is walking.
VisualFocuses on the extremely thick and fluffy fur of an animal.
Similar Words
もくもく
mokumoku
Mokumoku describes thick, voluminous smoke, clouds, or steam continuously billowing or rolling upward. Mokumoku focuses on the continuous volume of thick smoke, whereas mukumuku emphasizes its swelling shape.
ぽっちゃり
pocchari
A cute and positive way to describe someone or something as plump or chubby. Potchari is used for chubby adults or faces, whereas mukumuku is generally used for plump babies.
Questions
Can I use mukumuku for boiling water?
No, mukumuku is used for smoke, clouds, or emotions. For boiling water, use a different expression.
What is the difference between mukumuku and mokumoku for smoke?
Mokumoku focuses on the continuous, dense volume of the smoke itself, while mukumuku emphasizes the swelling, energetic shape as it rises and expands.
Can I use mukumuku for an overweight adult?
It is not recommended. Mukumuku is mostly used for babies or animals to sound cute and plump. Using it for an adult might sound strange unless they are wearing very thick, fluffy winter clothes.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2613200
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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