Entry
ぽろぽろ
poroporo
Describes large drops (like tears) or small, granular objects falling continuously and relatively quietly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word is most characteristically used to depict tears spilling from the eyes and rolling down the cheeks. It can also describe small, dry, or crumbly objects (like grains of rice, crumbs, or dry soil) dropping one by one.
- Tears or liquid drops falling
- Small granular objects dropping
Sense Map
Tears Dropping
Describes large tears or beads of sweat falling continuously.
涙がぽろぽろこぼれる
Small Objects Falling
Describes small crumbly items or grains dislodging and falling.
ご飯粒がぽろぽろ落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
ぽろぽろと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how someone cries or how drops fall.
ぽろぽろ + verb (e.g., 落ちる, 泣く)
The casual form without 'to', often paired with verbs like falling (落ちる) or spilling (こぼれる).
ぽろぽろの + noun
Describes a noun that has a dry, crumbly texture, prone to falling apart into small pieces.
How to Use
Common Phrases
涙がぽろぽろこぼれる
tears spill in large drops
ぽろぽろと泣く
to weep silently with large tears
ぽろぽろ落ちる
to fall in drops or pieces
ぽろぽろ崩れる
to crumble into small pieces
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crying | neutral | Focuses on the visual aspect of tears dropping continuously, rather than the sound of sobbing. |
| Food or Objects | neutral | Indicates a dry or brittle state that causes small parts to break off easily. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽたぽた ぽたぽた / similar | Use when liquid (like water from a faucet or blood) drips vertically, drop by drop. | ポタポタ is usually not used for tears and emphasizes the sound of dripping liquid. | 水がポタポタ落ちる |
ぼろぼろ ぼろぼろ / similar | Use when tears are flowing profusely due to intense emotion, or when something is falling apart in a messy way. | ボロボロ feels more extreme, ragged, or severely damaged compared to the gentler ぽろぽろ. | 涙をボロボロ流す |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぽろぽろ to describe heavy rain.
It is unnatural for rain. Use ポツポツ for light sprinkling rain, or ざあざあ for heavy rain.
Using it for large, heavy objects dropping.
This word is exclusively for small drops (like tears) or tiny granular objects.
Examples
Examples
彼女は悲しい映画を見て、涙をぽろぽろこぼした。
彼女(かのじょ)は悲(かな)しい映画(えいが)を見(み)て、涙(なみだ)をぽろぽろこぼした。
She watched a sad movie and shed large drops of tears.
VisualDescribes tears falling continuously in large drops.
暑さで額から汗がぽろぽろと落ちた。
暑(あつ)さで額(ひたい)から汗(あせ)がぽろぽろと落(お)ちた。
Due to the heat, large drops of sweat rolled down from the forehead.
VisualCan also be used for large beads of sweat, in addition to tears.
箸からご飯粒がぽろぽろと落ちてしまった。
箸(はし)からご飯粒(はんつぶ)がぽろぽろと落(お)ちてしまった。
Grains of rice fell one by one from the chopsticks.
LiteralUsed for small granular objects like rice that lack stickiness and fall.
乾燥した土がぽろぽろと崩れ落ちる。
乾燥(かんそう)した土(つち)がぽろぽろと崩(くず)れ落(お)ちる。
The dry soil crumbles and falls apart in small pieces.
LiteralShows the state of a dry object that easily crumbles into small granules.
子供は母親の顔を見て、ぽろぽろと泣き出した。
子供(こども)は母親(ははおや)の顔(かお)を見(み)て、ぽろぽろと泣(な)き出(だ)した。
The child looked at his mother's face and started shedding large tears.
FigurativeEmphasizes overwhelming emotion causing tears to flow unstoppably.
Similar Words
ボロボロ
boroboro
Describes something that is severely worn out, objects crumbling or falling in large drops, or being physically and mentally exhausted. ボロボロ is more severe, rough, or messy, often used for worn-out items or more uncontrollable crying.
ポタポタ
potapota
Describes the sound or appearance of liquid continuously falling in distinct drops. ポタポタ focuses on the sound of liquids dripping from above (like a faucet).
ポツポツ
potsupotsu
A word describing light drops falling, scattered small spots, or things progressing little by little.
ポタリ
potari
Describes the sound or visual of a single, distinct drop of liquid falling.
Questions
Can I use ぽろぽろ for raindrops?
No. It is not used for rain. Instead, use ポツポツ for scattered raindrops.
What's the difference between ぽろぽろ and ポタポタ?
ぽろぽろ is preferred for tears and small solid grains. ポタポタ focuses on the dripping of liquids from a height, like a leaky ceiling.
Does it apply to objects as well?
Yes, it is often used for small, crumbly, or dry things like rice, cookie crumbs, or dirt falling.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012030
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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