Entry
しばしば
shibashiba
Describes the action of blinking one's eyes repeatedly due to fatigue, dryness, or stinging.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia is used to describe eyes that are continuously blinking. It usually occurs when the eyes feel tired after staring at a screen for a long time, stinging, or dry. It is also commonly pronounced as shipashipa.
- Tired eyes
- Dry or stinging eyes
Sense Map
Tired Eyes
Describes eyes blinking continuously due to fatigue, typically after looking at a screen for a long time.
パソコンの画面をずっと見ていたので、目がしばしばする。
Dry or Stinging Eyes
Describes the reflex of blinking repeatedly because the eyes feel dry, irritated, or have something in them.
コンタクトレンズが乾燥して、目がしぱしぱする。
Usage Note
How to Use
目が SURFACE する
The most common pattern used to express that the eyes themselves feel tired or stinging, causing them to blink.
目を SURFACE させる
This pattern is used when someone intentionally or reflexively blinks their eyes, for example to relieve stinging or adjust their vision.
How to Use
Common Phrases
目がしばしばする
eyes blink from fatigue
目がしぱしぱする
eyes blink from dryness
目をしばしばさせる
blink one's eyes repeatedly
目をしぱしぱさせる
blink one's eyes because of stinging
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Staring at screens | neutral | Very commonly used to describe digital eye strain in the modern era. |
| Dust in eye or dry eyes | negative | Highlights the body's natural reflex to moisten or clear the eyes. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しょぼしょぼ しょぼしょぼ / contrast | When eyes feel heavy, bleary, and hard to keep open due to extreme sleepiness or fatigue. | Does not focus on the quick blinking motion, but rather on the heaviness of the eyelids and dim vision. | 目がしょぼしょぼする |
ぱちくり ぱちくり / contrast | When someone blinks in surprise or confusion. | It is not caused by physical fatigue or pain, but by a sudden emotional reaction. | 目をぱちくりさせる |
屡々 しばしば / contrast | When describing something that happens frequently or often. | This is a standard adverb for frequency and has no connection to eye movements at all. | しばしば起こる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Assuming this word means often.
This word sounds exactly like the adverb for often, but when referring to eyes, it strictly means blinking due to fatigue or dryness.
Using it for a flirty wink or a casual blink.
This word is specific to repeated blinking caused by physical discomfort or strain, not social interactions.
Examples
Examples
パソコンの画面をずっと見ていたので、目がしばしばする。
パソコン の がめん を ずっと みていた ので、 め が しばしば する。
My eyes are blinking from fatigue because I've been looking at the computer screen for a long time.
VisualDescribes visual fatigue from screens.
コンタクトレンズが乾燥して、目がしぱしぱする。
コンタクトレンズ が かんそう して、 め が しぱしぱ する。
My contact lenses are dry, so my eyes are stinging and blinking repeatedly.
VisualThe shipashipa variant fits well with dryness and stinging.
眠気で目をしばしばさせながら、授業を聞いていた。
ねむけ で め を しばしば させながら、 じゅぎょう を きいていた。
I was listening to the class while blinking my eyes repeatedly out of sleepiness.
VisualDescribes the effort to stay awake and focused.
目薬を差した後、目をしぱしぱさせた。
めぐすり を さした あと、 め を しぱしぱ させた。
After applying eye drops, they blinked their eyes repeatedly.
VisualReflex to spread the liquid across the eyes.
煙が目にしみて、しばしばした。
けむり が め に しみて、 しばしば した。
The smoke stung my eyes, making me blink repeatedly.
VisualPhysical reaction to foreign irritation or smoke.
Similar Words
しょぼしょぼ
shoboshobo
Shoboshobo describes a weak, energy-lacking state, such as tired eyes blinking, persistent weak drizzle, or walking despondently. Used for heavy eyes due to sleepiness, not quick blinking.
ぱちくり
pachikuri
Blinking rapidly in response to a sudden surprise or state of confusion. Blinking in surprise, not physical fatigue.
Questions
What is the difference between shibashiba and shipashipa?
They are essentially the same, but shipashipa often conveys a slightly sharper sense of dryness or stinging in the eyes.
Is this the same as the word shibashiba meaning often?
No, they are homophones. You can easily tell them apart because this onomatopoeia is always used in the context of eyes.
Can I use this if I wink at someone?
No. This word is specifically for involuntary repeated blinking due to fatigue or pain, not for social gestures.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2179090
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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