Entry
ぴょこぴょこ
pyokopyoko
Describes light, small, and nimble up-and-down movements, such as a frog or rabbit hopping, or a person walking casually.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word ぴょこぴょこ is a mimetic term (gitaigo) describing small, repeated, and nimble up-and-down motions. It is most commonly used to depict the hopping of small animals like frogs or rabbits. Additionally, it can describe a person moving or walking around lightly, without a care, or in a very casual manner.
- Small and light leaps
- Nimble movements
- Walking casually without a care
Sense Map
Small Leaps
Describes small, light, and nimble repeated jumping motions, typical of animals like frogs, rabbits, or small birds.
カエルがぴょこぴょこ跳ねる。
Nimble and Casual Movement
Describes someone or something moving or walking around lightly, nimbly, and sometimes in a casual or carefree manner.
彼はぴょこぴょこと歩き回る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴょこぴょこ + verb
Placed directly before a verb to describe an action done with light, small, bouncy movements.
ぴょこぴょこと + verb
Adding the particle 'to' emphasizes the manner of the movement, often used in descriptive sentences or storytelling.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴょこぴょこ跳ねる
to hop lightly
ぴょこぴょこ歩く
to walk with bouncy steps
ぴょこぴょこ動く
to move nimbly
ぴょこぴょこついて行く
to follow along with light steps
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Animal movement | neutral | Implies small, light, and nimble hops typical of frogs or rabbits. |
| Human movement | casual | Can describe someone moving around lightly without a care or paying attention to the gravity of a situation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴょんぴょん ぴょんぴょん / similar | Use for higher, more energetic, or standard repetitive hopping. | ぴょこぴょこ focuses on jumps that are smaller, lighter, and often cuter or more casual than ぴょんぴょん. | ウサギがぴょんぴょん跳ねる。 |
ちょこちょこ ちょこちょこ / similar | Use for taking small, quick, toddling steps without clear jumping. | ちょこちょこ lacks the up-and-down vertical bouncing element present in ぴょこぴょこ. | 子供がちょこちょこ歩く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for large or heavy animals jumping.
Only use ぴょこぴょこ for small, light movements. Heavy animals require words that convey mass.
Thinking it means jumping high.
This word implies small, low leaps. For jumping high, use other terms like ぴょんぴょん or 大きくジャンプする.
Examples
Examples
カエルが草むらをぴょこぴょこと跳ねている。
かえるがくさむらをぴょこぴょことはねている。
The frog is hopping lightly through the grass.
VisualIndicates the light, continuous jumping motion of the frog.
ウサギが庭をぴょこぴょこ歩いている。
うさぎがにわをぴょこぴょこあるいている。
The rabbit is taking small, hopping steps in the garden.
VisualDescribes the way a rabbit moves with small, bouncing steps.
小鳥が枝から枝へぴょこぴょこ飛び移る。
ことりがえだからえだへぴょこぴょことびうつる。
The little bird nimbly hops from branch to branch.
VisualIllustrates the nimbleness of a bird lightly jumping around.
子供が楽しそうにぴょこぴょことついてくる。
こどもがたのしそうにぴょこぴょことついてくる。
The child follows along with happy, bouncy steps.
VisualShows the cheerful, slightly bouncy walking style of a child.
彼は何も気にせずぴょこぴょこ歩き回る。
かれはなにもきにせずぴょこぴょこあるきまわる。
He walks around casually without a care.
FigurativeUsed figuratively to show a walking manner that is overly casual or lacking seriousness.
Similar Words
ぴょんぴょん
pyonpyon
The light, repeated bouncing or hopping motion of small animals or joyful children. Indicates higher or more energetic jumping.
ちょこちょこ
chokochoko
Describes moving with small, quick steps like a toddler, or doing something frequently in small amounts. Walking with small, quick steps without jumping.
Questions
Is ぴょこぴょこ only used for animals?
No, it can also describe humans walking around casually or following someone with light, bouncy steps.
What is the difference between ぴょこぴょこ and ぴょんぴょん?
ぴょんぴょん is a standard word for hopping repeatedly. ぴょこぴょこ implies a smaller, lighter jump, often with a cuter or more casual nuance.
Can I use this word for an elephant jumping?
No, this word conveys small, nimble, and light movements. It is unnatural for large or heavy animals.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2561720
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- フッ (fu)
- Next entry
- どっぴゅ (doppyu)