Entry
ぽよぽよ
poyopoyo
Describes something that is pleasantly soft, squishy, and bouncy to the touch.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures the feeling of something very soft, fleshy, or elastic that jiggles or bounces back when pressed. It carries a cute, endearing nuance and is commonly used for babies' cheeks, slightly chubby tummies, marshmallows, or toys like slime.
- squishy objects
- soft body parts
Sense Map
Squishy Objects
Used for soft, elastic items that jiggle or bounce, such as jelly, marshmallows, or squishy toys.
ぽよぽよしたゼリー
Soft Body Parts
Describes plump, squishy, and endearing body parts, like a baby's cheeks or a soft belly.
ぽよぽよのお腹
Usage Note
How to Use
ぽよぽよする
Acts as a verb or states a continuous condition indicating that something feels or looks bouncy and soft.
ぽよぽよしている
Acts as a verb or states a continuous condition indicating that something feels or looks bouncy and soft.
ぽよぽよの + noun
ぽよぽよした + noun
Used to directly modify a noun, describing it as possessing a soft and squishy quality.
ぽよぽよ(と) + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぽよぽよのお腹
soft, squishy belly
ぽよぽよしたほっぺ
squishy cheeks
ぽよぽよと動く
to move jigglingly
ぽよぽよの肌
soft and bouncy skin
ぽよぽよになる
to become soft and squishy
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing babies or pets | Positive | Shows affection and endearment for their soft, huggable bodies. |
| Describing one's own belly | Neutral / Playful | Used in a self-deprecating but lighthearted way to admit one's stomach has gotten soft or slightly chubby. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぷにぷに ぷにぷに / similar | Focuses more on the pleasant squishy feeling when lightly pinching or poking something. | ぽよぽよ often implies slightly more volume, jiggle, or bounciness (like a belly or jelly), whereas ぷにぷに points to a smaller, more concentrated squishy sensation. | ぷにぷにした肉球 |
ふわふわ ふわふわ / similar | Used for airy, weightless softness, like clouds, cotton, or fresh bread. | ふわふわ lacks the elastic, bouncy, or jiggly quality that ぽよぽよ requires. | ふわふわの毛布 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぽよぽよ for hard items that bounce, like a rubber ball or a tire.
ぽよぽよ must be very soft and squishy to the touch.
Using this word in serious, professional, or medical contexts.
It is a highly casual, cute word and sounds out of place in formal situations.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんのほっぺはぽよぽよしていて、とても柔らかい。
あかちゃんのほっぺはぽよぽよしていて、とてもやわらかい。
The baby's cheeks are soft, bouncy, and very tender.
VisualDescribes the healthy, endearing softness of a baby's body.
このマシュマロはぽよぽよの食感がする。
このマシュマロはぽよぽよのしょっかんがする。
This marshmallow has a squishy, bouncy texture.
LiteralFocuses on the tactile and chewing sensation of eating something springy.
運動不足で、お腹がぽよぽよになってしまった。
うんどうぶそくで、おなかがぽよぽよになってしまった。
Due to lack of exercise, my belly has become soft and flabby.
VisualA very common, lighthearted usage for complaining about gaining a little weight.
スライムを指で押すと、ぽよぽよと元に戻る。
スライムをゆびでおすと、ぽよぽよともとにもどる。
When you press the slime with your finger, it bounces back with a squish.
LiteralDescribes the bouncy reaction (elasticity) of a soft object.
ベッドの上にぽよぽよしたぬいぐるみが置いてある。
ベッドのうえにぽよぽよしたぬいぐるみがのおいてある。
There is a soft, squishy stuffed animal placed on the bed.
VisualShows that the object looks inviting to touch and hug.
Similar Words
ブヨブヨ
buyobuyo
ブヨブヨ (buyobuyo) describes something that is overly soft, lacks firmness, or is flabby to the touch.
ふわふわ
fuwafuwa
Fuwafuwa describes things that are light, airy, and soft to the touch, or things that float and drift gently. Soft and fluffy, but not bouncy.
ムニムニ
munimuni
Describes something that is pleasantly soft, pliable, and springs back slightly when pressed.
ぷにぷに
punipuni
ぷにぷに describes a very soft, elastic, and squishy texture that bounces back when pressed, like a baby's cheek or a gummy candy. Focuses on the squishy tactile sensation.
Questions
Is ぽよぽよ only used for food?
No. While perfect for jelly-like textures, it's just as common for describing human bodies (like cheeks or bellies) and soft toys.
What is the difference between ぽよぽよ and ぶよぶよ (buyobuyo)?
ぽよぽよ is cute, positive, and pleasantly squishy. ぶよぶよ is negative, meaning unpleasantly flabby, soggy, or grotesquely swollen.
Can I use it for a mattress?
Yes, if the mattress has a very bouncy, springy, and jiggly quality. If it's just softly enveloping, 'ふわふわ' (fuwafuwa) is better.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2843190
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- バブバブ (babubabu)
- Next entry
- たゆんたゆん (tayuntayun)