Entry
ぷくぷく
pukupuku
Describes small bubbles rising again and again, or a round, chubby look that feels adorable.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word works in two main ways. It can describe small air bubbles steadily rising and popping in a liquid, not a violent rolling boil. It can also describe a soft, plump, baby-like roundness, most often on babies, pets, or cheeks, not an adult body as a whole.
- Small bubbles rising continuously
- Cute, round plumpness
Sense Map
Bubbles in Liquid
Small air bubbles that keep rising to the surface and bursting.
泡がぷくぷく出る。
Chubby Appearance
A body or a body part, such as cheeks, that looks softly plump, round, and endearing.
ぷくぷくした赤ちゃん。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぷくぷくと + verb
Adverbial form for bubbles rising steadily or something puffing up softly.
ぷくぷく（と）太る
Used when a body fills out into a cute, round plumpness.
ぷくぷくした + noun
Adjectival form for a baby, cheeks, or a pet that looks chubby and round.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぷくぷくと泡が出る
small bubbles keep rising
ぷくぷく太る
to grow chubby and round
ぷくぷくしたほっぺ
chubby cheeks
ぷくぷく（と）沈む
to sink while releasing bubbles
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water and liquids | Neutral | Describes small air bubbles rising steadily, without any sense of force. |
| Body and appearance | Positive | Used fondly for babies, pets, or chubby cheeks. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぷくっと ぷくっと / similar | When one spot puffs out once, such as cheeks blown out or a small bump. | ぷくっと is a single puff or a single bump. ぷくぷく is repeated bubbling, or plumpness over a whole body or face. | ほっぺたをぷくっと膨らませる。 |
ぷっくり ぷっくり / similar | When one small part looks fully rounded, such as lips or a cheek. | ぷっくり stresses one plump part. ぷくぷく stresses ongoing bubbles or a more even, overall roundness. | ぷっくりした唇。 |
ぽちゃぽちゃ ぽちゃぽちゃ / similar | When you want the soft, squishy fleshiness of a baby. | ぽちゃぽちゃ stresses soft, fleshy plumpness you want to squeeze. ぷくぷく stresses balloon-like roundness, or actual air bubbles. | ぽちゃぽちゃした手。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぷくぷく for a mildly plump adult.
It sounds like baby or pet talk. For an adult body as a whole, choose a word that names overall body shape, not infant cuteness.
Using ぷくぷく for a hard rolling boil.
Keep it for small, quiet bubbles. For a vigorous boil, choose a word that describes large, turbulent bubbles.
Examples
Examples
金魚が水槽でぷくぷくと泡を出している。
きんぎょがすいそうで(ぷくぷく)とあわをだしている。
The goldfish is blowing small bubbles in the tank.
VisualSmall bubbles keep coming from the fish.
赤ちゃんのぷくぷくしたほっぺたがとてもかわいい。
あかちゃんの(ぷくぷく)したほっぺたがとてもかわいい。
The baby's chubby cheeks are adorable.
VisualThe baby's cheeks look softly plump and round.
猫が冬の間にぷくぷく太ってしまった。
ねこがふゆのあいだに(ぷくぷく)ふとってしまった。
The cat grew chubby over the winter.
VisualA pet that has filled out in a cute, round way.
空き瓶が池の底へぷくぷくと沈んでいった。
あきびんがいけのそこへ(ぷくぷく)としずんでいった。
The empty bottle sank to the bottom of the pond, giving off small bubbles.
VisualSomething sinks while sending air bubbles to the surface.
パンの生地が発酵してぷくぷく膨らんできた。
パンのきじがはっこうして(ぷくぷく)ふくらんできた。
The bread dough fermented and puffed up softly.
VisualDough swells softly as yeast gas fills it.
Similar Words
ぷくっと
pukutto
Describes something visibly and suddenly puffing out or swelling up, such as puffed cheeks or a small blister. A single puff or bump, not repeated bubbling or overall plumpness.
ぷっくり
pukkuri
Pukkuri describes something small and soft that is noticeably swollen, puffed up, or plump. One small part looking fully rounded, not ongoing bubbles or overall plumpness.
ぽちゃぽちゃ
pochapocha
A word describing the light sound of splashing water, or a soft, cute, chubby appearance. Squishy baby flesh, not balloon-like roundness or air bubbles.
Questions
Can ぷくぷく be used for adults?
Usually no. It sounds like praise for a baby or a pet. For an adult, choose a word that refers to overall body shape.
How is it different from ぷくっと?
ぷくっと is one puff or one bump. ぷくぷく is for repeated bubbles, or for a body that looks chubby and round all over.
Is ぷくぷく only for soap bubbles?
No. It also covers the bubbles a fish blows, tiny bubbles in a drink, rising dough, or chubby cheeks.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2699730
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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