Entry
ぴちぴち
pichipichi
Describes something bursting with fresh energy, such as jumping freshly caught fish, vibrant young people, or clothes that are bursting at the seams from being too tight.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has several distinct meanings united by the idea of 'bursting outward'. It describes the vibrant energy of youth and firm skin, the lively flopping of fresh fish, clothes that are so tight they might burst, and the energetic splattering of hot oil in a pan.
- Youthful and bursting with life
- Fresh fish jumping energetically
- Clothes bursting at the seams
- Splattering hot cooking oil
Sense Map
Youthful & Vibrant
Used to describe someone (especially a young woman) who is young, fresh, and bursting with energetic vitality, or firm youthful skin.
ぴちぴちの肌
Fresh Fish
Describes freshly caught fish actively flopping or jumping around.
魚がぴちぴちはねる
Tight Clothes
Describes clothes that are too small and are stretched tightly against the body, bursting at the seams.
服がぴちぴちだ
Splattering Oil
Describes hot oil spitting and splattering energetically.
油がぴちぴちとはねる
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴちぴちの + Noun
Modifies a noun, such as 'fresh fish' or 'energetic youth'.
ぴちぴちしている
Describes an ongoing state or characteristic, commonly used for firm skin or lively energy.
ぴちぴちだ
A direct declaration of a state, frequently used when declaring clothes are too tight.
ぴちぴちと + Verb
Acts as an adverb, typically followed by verbs like 'jump' or 'splatter' (はねる).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴちぴちの若者
Energetic and youthful people
ぴちぴちの魚
Freshly caught flopping fish
服がぴちぴちだ
Clothes are bursting at the seams
ぴちぴちはねる
To jump or flop around energetically
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing age or skin | positive | Highlights freshness, firm skin, and the vibrant energy of youth. |
| Describing clothing | negative | Implies the clothes have become too small, perhaps due to weight gain. |
| Describing seafood | positive | A strong indicator of freshness, as the fish is still moving. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴんぴん ぴんぴん / nearby | Use when describing the good health of an elderly person, or an animal moving actively. | Does not imply 'youthfulness' or 'freshness'. Focuses on being safe from illness or death, or acting lively. | 祖父はまだぴんぴんしている。 |
ぱつぱつ ぱつぱつ / similar | Use exclusively for things that are stuffed full, especially clothes that are too tight. | Cannot be used for young people, skin, or fresh fish. Only describes physical tightness. | 服がパツパツだ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using pichipichi to praise an elderly person's health.
Use ぴんぴん (pinpin) for healthy seniors. Pichipichi strongly implies youth and freshness, so it sounds unnatural for the elderly.
Thinking tight pichipichi clothes means 'tailored' or 'stylish'.
When applied to clothes, it usually means the garment is uncomfortably small and stretching over the body.
Examples
Examples
網の中で捕まった魚がぴちぴちとはねている。
あみの なかで つかまった さかなが ぴちぴちと はねている。
The fish caught in the net are jumping around energetically.
VisualFocuses on the lively movement of freshly caught fish.
彼女はまだ若くて、肌もぴちぴちしている。
かのじょは まだ わかくて、はだも ぴちぴち している。
She is still young, and her skin is firm and bursting with youth.
FigurativeDescribes the freshness and vitality of youthful skin.
太ってしまって、お気に入りのズボンがぴちぴちになった。
ふとって しまって、おきにいりの ずぼんが ぴちぴちに なった。
I gained weight, and my favorite pants became bursting tight.
VisualIndicates clothes that are too small and stretching tightly.
フライパンの油がぴちぴちと飛んできた。
フライパンの あぶらが ぴちぴちと とんで きた。
The oil in the frying pan came splattering out.
VisualDescribes the sound and action of hot oil splattering.
今年の新入社員はみんな元気でぴちぴちだ。
ことしの しんにゅうしゃいんは みんな げんきで ぴちぴちだ。
This year's new employees are all energetic and bursting with youth.
FigurativeHighlights the bursting energy of young people.
Similar Words
ぴんぴん
pinpin
Describes someone who is surprisingly healthy and lively, or something jumping around vigorously. Means hale and hearty (especially for the elderly) or lively jumping, lacking the youthful/fresh nuance of pichipichi.
パツパツ
patsupatsu
Describes a state of being stretched to the absolute limit, such as tight clothing bursting at the seams or a completely packed schedule. Used exclusively for clothes or things that are stuffed full and bursting tight.
Questions
Can I use pichipichi to describe a man's youthful energy?
While technically possible, it is heavily associated with young women or girls. Using it for men might sound a bit unusual or humorous.
What is the difference between pittari and pichipichi for clothes?
Pittari means the clothes fit perfectly. Pichipichi means they are too small and stretching tightly across the body.
Is pichipichi slang?
It is a standard mimetic word (onomatopoeia), not slang, though it has a casual and lively tone.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010890
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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