Entry
ぽってり
potteri
Describes a physically thick, plump shape or a heavy, viscous liquid.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word conveys a sense of soft, pleasant fullness. It is commonly used to describe full, fleshy lips, objects with a rounded, chunky shape, or liquids and foods that are very thick and viscous, like Japanese curry or heavy cream.
- Plump or full (lips, round objects)
- Thick and viscous (curry, cream)
Sense Map
Lips & Shapes
Describes a soft, fleshy, plump physical shape, such as full lips, rounded cheeks, or a chunky ceramic mug.
ぽってりとした唇
Liquids & Foods
Describes a thick, heavy, viscous consistency in liquids or foods, meaning it does not flow easily.
カレーがぽってりする
Usage Note
How to Use
ぽってりした + Noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as plump or thick (e.g., plump lips, thick cream).
ぽってりと + Verb
Acts as an adverb describing an action that produces a thick layer (e.g., to apply something thickly).
ぽってりする
Indicates the state of being plump or a liquid becoming thick.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぽってりとした唇
plump/full lips
ぽってりとした形
a plump, rounded shape
ぽってりと塗る
to apply thickly
カレーがぽってりする
curry becomes thick
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Features (Lips, Objects) | positive/neutral | Implies an attractive, soft fullness. |
| Food Textures (Curry, Cream) | neutral | Indicates a heavy, rich, thick consistency. |
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 | Used exclusively for people or animals to mean 'chubby' in a cute, soft way. | Cannot be used for thick liquids, whereas ぽってり covers both fleshy parts and viscous liquids. | ぽっちゃりした赤ちゃん |
もったり もったり / similar | Focuses heavily on the sluggish, thick, and heavy nature of liquids, or a sluggish feeling. | Rarely used to describe attractive physical features like full lips. | もったりとしたクリーム |
すっきり すっきり / opposite | Used for a refreshing taste, thin/clean liquids, or slender, sharp shapes. | Contrasts with the heaviness, thickness, and roundness implied by ぽってり. | すっきりした味 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぽってり to mean a 'thick book' or 'thick wall'.
Use 厚い (atsui) for physical thickness of flat objects. ぽってり is for rounded, fleshy plumpness or liquid viscosity.
Calling a chubby person ぽってり.
While understood, ぽっちゃり (potchari) is the much more natural and common word for a chubby person.
Examples
Examples
彼女のぽってりとした唇が魅力的だ。
かのじょのぽってりとしたくちびるがみりょくてきだ。
Her full, plump lips are attractive.
VisualUsed to describe attractive, full, and soft physical features.
クリームをぽってりとケーキに塗る。
クリームをぽってりとケーキにぬる。
Apply the cream thickly onto the cake.
VisualIndicates the action of applying something so it forms a thick, voluminous layer.
ぽってりした形のマグカップを買った。
ぽってりしたかたちのマグカップをかった。
I bought a mug with a plump, rounded shape.
VisualOften used for objects (like ceramics) with soft, chunky, rounded designs.
煮込んでぽってりとしたカレーが好きだ。
にこんでぽってりとしたカレーがすきだ。
I like curry that has been stewed until thick and rich.
VisualFocuses on the texture of food that has reduced and become heavy/viscous.
その鳥はぽってりとした体をしていた。
そのとりはぽってりとしたからだをしていた。
The bird had a plump, round body.
VisualCan be used for animals with a soft, rounded, and plump shape.
Similar Words
もったり
mottari
Focuses heavily on sluggish, heavy thickness.
ぽっちゃり
pocchari
A cute and positive way to describe someone or something as plump or chubby. Exclusively for chubby people or babies.
ふっくら
fukkura
Describes something that is soft, fluffy, and pleasantly full or plump.
むっちり
mucchiri
Describes a pleasantly plump, fleshy, or voluptuous body with soft but firm flesh.
すっきり
sukkiri
Feeling refreshed, relieved, or appearing neat and clean without any lingering clutter. Opposite of thick; means refreshing, clean, or slender.
Questions
What is the difference between ぽってり (potteri) and ぽっちゃり (potchari)?
ぽっちゃり means a chubby person or baby. ぽってり describes specific fleshy parts like lips, plump round objects, or thick viscous liquids.
Can I use ぽってり for a thick book?
No. For a thick book or wall, use 厚い (atsui). ぽってり is only for soft, fleshy plumpness or liquid thickness.
Is ぽってり a positive word?
Usually yes. When applied to lips, it means full and attractive. When applied to objects like mugs, it means pleasantly rounded and soft.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012000
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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