Entry
ぽてぽて
potepote
Describes a cute, plump body or soft, slow, and small steps.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Potepote is a mimetic word (gitaigo) that describes the pleasantly plump, fleshy appearance of babies or small animals, as well as the soft, slightly clumsy, and slow steps they take when walking.
- plumpness of babies/animals
- soft, slow walking steps
Sense Map
Plump & Chubby
Describes the soft, adorable fleshiness of a baby or small animal.
ぽてぽてしたほっぺ
Soft Toddling Steps
Describes the slow, soft-footed, and sometimes slightly unsteady walking manner of toddlers or small animals.
ぽてぽて歩く
Usage Note
How to Use
ぽてぽて（と）歩く
Used as an adverb to describe how a baby or animal walks slowly and softly.
ぽてぽてした + Noun
Used to modify a noun, describing a body part as soft and pleasantly plump.
ぽてぽてしている
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぽてぽて歩く
to walk with soft, small steps
ぽてぽてしたお腹
cute, chubby belly
ぽてぽてと近づく
to approach with toddler steps
ぽてぽてした手
plump, chubby hands
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing physical appearance | positive | Conveys a sense of adorable, soft plumpness, like a baby's cheeks. |
| Describing movement | positive | Evokes the image of cute, unthreatening, and slightly unsteady walking. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽっちゃり ぽっちゃり / similar | When describing a person (especially an older child or adult) who is pleasantly plump. | Potepote emphasizes the extreme softness of babies and also describes walking softly; pocchari is strictly for human body shape. | ぽっちゃりした体型 |
てくてく てくてく / contrast | When describing someone walking steadily over a distance. | Tekuteku is for steady, purposeful walking (often by adults), while potepote is for the soft, cute, and unsteady steps of tiny creatures. | てくてく歩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a fat adult.
It sounds too infantile. Use 'pocchari' (ぽっちゃり) for a pleasantly plump adult, or 'futotteiru' (太っている) for general fatness.
Using it to describe a fast run.
Potepote implies slow, gentle, and soft movement. It is not used for energetic or fast running.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんのぽてぽてしたほっぺたを触る。
あかちゃんのぽてぽてしたほっぺたをさわる。
Touching the baby's chubby cheeks.
VisualFocuses on the extreme softness and fleshiness of the baby.
ペンギンがぽてぽてと歩いている。
ぺんぎんがぽてぽてとあるいている。
The penguin is walking with soft, slow steps.
VisualDescribes the cute, slightly awkward, and soft walking manner of a small animal.
子猫のお腹がぽてぽてしていて可愛い。
こねこのおなかがぽてぽてしていてかわいい。
The kitten's belly is plump and cute.
VisualDescribes the softly rounded, plump belly of a pet.
妹が私に向かってぽてぽて近づいてきた。
いもうとがわたしにむかってぽてぽてちかづいてきた。
My little sister approached me with soft toddler steps.
VisualShows the slow, endearing steps of a small child.
ぽてぽてした手で絵本を掴む。
ぽてぽてしたてでえほんをつかむ。
Grabbing the picture book with chubby hands.
VisualFocuses on the soft, fleshy hands typical of babies and toddlers.
Similar Words
ぽっちゃり
pocchari
A cute and positive way to describe someone or something as plump or chubby. Used for pleasantly plump humans, lacking the 'walking softly' nuance of potepote.
てくてく
tekuteku
Walking a long distance at a steady, continuous pace. Describes steady, purposeful walking, contrasting with the soft, unsteady steps of potepote.
ぽってり
potteri
Describes a physically thick, plump shape or a heavy, viscous liquid.
Questions
Can I use potepote for inanimate objects?
Generally, no. It is reserved for living things (babies, pets) to emphasize their soft flesh or walking style. For thick liquids or heavy objects, use 'potteri' (ぽってり).
Is potepote an insult if used for someone's body?
It is endearing, but using it for an adult might sound condescending or strange because it strongly implies baby-like cuteness.
What is the difference between potepote and tekuteku?
Tekuteku means walking steadily and purposefully over a distance, usually by a person. Potepote emphasizes the cute, soft, and slightly wobbly steps of a baby or small animal.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2255510
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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