Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word conveys a lack of vigor or energy across three main contexts. First, it frequently describes eyes that are tired, dry, or heavy, causing them to blink weakly. Second, it is used for weather, specifically a persistent but weak drizzle that creates a gloomy atmosphere. Third, it can describe a person or animal moving or walking weakly and despondently due to old age or sadness.
- Tired or dry eyes
- Gloomy drizzling rain
- Weak, dejected movement or walking
Sense Map
Tired Eyes
Describes eyes that feel exhausted, dry, or sting slightly, causing weak blinking, often from lack of sleep or staring at a screen.
目がしょぼしょぼする
Drizzling Rain
Describes a weak, persistent rain that does not stop, often carrying a gloomy or depressing vibe.
雨がしょぼしょぼ降る
Weak and Dejected
Describes walking or acting without energy or spirit, often when someone is disheartened or feeling down.
しょぼしょぼ歩く
Usage Note
How to Use
しょぼしょぼする
Used as a verb to state that one's eyes currently feel tired, dry, or heavy.
しょぼしょぼしている
Used to describe an ongoing state of tired eyes or a person's lack of energy over a period.
しょぼしょぼと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, such as how it is raining or how someone is walking.
しょぼしょぼ + verb
The adverbial form without the particle 'to', functioning the same way to modify the following verb.
How to Use
Common Phrases
目がしょぼしょぼする
eyes feel tired and heavy
しょぼしょぼ降る
to drizzle weakly
しょぼしょぼ歩く
to walk despondently or weakly
しょぼしょぼと帰る
to trudge home dejectedly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tired eyes | neutral | Extremely common when talking about eye strain from screens or waking up with sleep in your eyes. |
| Rain | negative | Implies the rain is ruining the mood, feeling persistent but uninspiring. |
| Behavior | negative | Pictures someone walking with stooped shoulders and dragging feet, lacking all energy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しょんぼり しょんぼり / similar | Use when someone looks emotionally downhearted, lonely, or disappointed. | Shonbori focuses purely on the emotional state of looking sad or lonely, whereas shoboshobo points to the physical lack of energy or weak actions resulting from that sadness. | しょんぼり座る |
しとしと しとしと / contrast | Use to describe rain falling quietly and gently. | Shitoshito describes quiet rain that can feel peaceful or neutral, while shoboshobo describes weak rain that feels depressing and gloomy. | 雨がしとしと降る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a heavy downpour of rain.
This word is exclusively used for weak, persistent drizzle.
Using it to describe a severe eye disease or sharp pain.
It describes the subjective feeling of being tired, heavy, or dry, not a serious medical condition.
Examples
Examples
ずっと画面を見ていたので、目がしょぼしょぼする。
ずっとがめんをみていたので、めがしょぼしょぼする。
My eyes feel tired from looking at the screen for so long.
LiteralThe most common usage for tired eyes from visual strain.
朝から雨がしょぼしょぼと降っている。
あさからあめがしょぼしょぼとふっている。
A weak, gloomy drizzle has been falling since morning.
VisualDescribes weak but persistent rainy weather.
彼は怒られた後、しょぼしょぼと歩いて帰った。
かれはおこられたあと、しょぼしょぼとあるいてかえった。
After being scolded, he walked home dejectedly.
FigurativeShows a lack of physical energy due to sadness or disappointment.
寝不足で目がしょぼしょぼしている。
ねぶそくでめがしょぼしょぼしている。
My eyes are bleary from lack of sleep.
LiteralUsing the '-shite iru' form to state an ongoing condition of tiredness.
老犬がしょぼしょぼと歩いている。
ろうけんがしょぼしょぼとあるいている。
The old dog is walking weakly.
VisualCan be used to describe old animals that have lost their energy.
Similar Words
しょんぼり
shonbori
Describes a quiet, visually observable state of being disheartened, sad, or disappointed, often accompanied by drooping shoulders. Shonbori focuses purely on the emotional state of looking sad or lonely.
しとしと
shitoshito
Describes light rain falling quietly and continuously, or a state of being mildly damp. Shitoshito describes quiet, gentle rain that can feel peaceful, contrasting with gloomy shoboshobo.
しょぼん
shobon
しょぼん means to feel suddenly dejected or downhearted, often visibly showing a deflated or drooping posture.
しばしば
shibashiba
Describes the action of blinking one's eyes repeatedly due to fatigue, dryness, or stinging.
Questions
Can I use this word when I am sad?
Yes, but mostly to describe how you are physically acting because of it, like walking weakly or looking drained, rather than just the internal feeling of sadness.
Can I use it to describe a heavy storm?
No, it is exclusively used for weak, persistent, and gloomy drizzling rain.
Is it only for eyes and rain?
Tired eyes and drizzle are the two most common uses, but it is also widely understood when describing a weak old dog or a depressed person walking.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1983100
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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