Entry
ねばねば
nebaneba
Describes a sticky, viscous, or stringy texture.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ねばねば (nebaneba) is a mimetic word used to describe something that is sticky, gooey, viscous, or glutinous. It is very commonly used for stringy or slimy foods like natto, okra, and grated yam, as well as for adhesives like glue.
- sticky food texture
- sticky adhesives or sweat
Sense Map
Sticky Foods
Describes the stringy, viscous texture of foods like natto, okra, or grated yam.
ねばねばした納豆
Adhesives & Sweat
Describes the unpleasant sticky or gooey nature of glue, slime, or sweat on the skin.
汗でねばねばする
Usage Note
How to Use
ねばねばする
Used as a verb to state that something currently feels sticky or gooey.
ねばねばしている
ねばねばの + noun
ねばねばした + noun
Used to describe a noun as having a viscous or sticky quality.
ねばねばと + verb
Used to describe an action happening in a sticky, stringy, or viscous manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ねばねばする
to feel sticky
ねばねばの糸
sticky strings / threads
手がねばねばする
hands feel sticky
ねばねばした液
sticky liquid
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing Food | positive or neutral | Often used positively to describe the appealing texture of healthy Japanese foods like natto or okra. |
| Describing Sweat or Dirt | negative | Used to describe the unpleasant, sticky feeling of sweat, humidity on the skin, or glue residues. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
べたべた べたべた / similar | Use for surfaces that feel tacky or sticky to the touch, like spilled juice or tape. | ねばねば focuses on a viscous, stringy quality, while ベタベタ is more about the tacky surface feeling. | シールでベタベタする |
どろどろ どろどろ / similar | Use for thick, pulpy, or mushy liquids like mud or thick stew. | どろどろ implies a thick liquid state without necessarily being stringy or adhesive like ねばねば. | どろどろのスープ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a simply messy or dirty room.
ねばねば specifically refers to a physical sticky and viscous texture, not just general messiness or dirt.
Using it for sticky, humid weather.
For humid, sticky weather, use むしむし (mushimushi) or じめじめ (jimejime) instead.
Examples
Examples
納豆をねばねばになるまで混ぜる。
なっとうをねばねばになるまでまぜる。
I mix the natto until it becomes stringy and sticky.
LiteralDescribes the sticky characteristic of food like natto.
汗でシャツがねばねばして気持ち悪い。
あせでシャツがねばねばしてきもちわるい。
My shirt is sticky with sweat and feels gross.
LiteralUsed for the negative sensation of sweat clinging to the body.
オクラや山芋などのねばねばした食べ物は体に良い。
オクラややまいもなどのねばねばしたたべものはからだによい。
Sticky foods like okra and grated yam are good for you.
VisualIn Japanese culture, these sticky foods are considered very healthy.
手に接着剤がついて、ねばねばする。
てにせっちゃくざいがついて、ねばねばする。
I got glue on my hands, and they feel sticky.
LiteralPhysical stickiness from adhesives.
靴の裏にガムがくっついて、ねばねばと糸を引いている。
くつのうらにガムがくっついて、ねばねばといとをひいている。
Gum is stuck to the sole of my shoe, pulling sticky strings.
VisualThe visually stringy nature of stickiness.
Similar Words
ベタベタ
betabeta
Describes something physically sticky, the act of pasting things all over, couples clinging or flirting, or something highly cliché and predictable. For tacky surfaces (e.g., a table with spilled juice).
どろどろ
dorodoro
どろどろ describes a thick, viscous, muddy state, or a messy, toxic state of human relationships. For thick, pulpy, or mushy liquids.
ギトギト
gitogito
Describes something that is unpleasantly covered in heavy oil or grease.
Questions
Is ねばねば used positively or negatively?
It depends on the context. It is positive or neutral for healthy viscous foods like natto, but negative when referring to an unpleasant stickiness like sweat or glue on your hands.
What is the difference between ねばねば and ベタベタ?
ねばねば implies a viscous, stringy stickiness, like melted cheese or natto. ベタベタ refers to a tacky surface stickiness, like tape or spilled soda.
Can I use ねばねば for sticky, humid summer weather?
No, ねばねば is for physical textures. For sticky, humid weather, use むしむし or じめじめ instead.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1600180
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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