Ever seen a dog bite into a toy with excitement?
Or a big animal take a powerful chomp out of its food?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Gabu” (がぶっ) comes in —
a sound and feeling that captures a strong, sudden bite or gulp.
What is “Gabu” (がぶっ)?
“Gabu” expresses a forceful motion of biting, grabbing, or taking a mouthful.
It’s a vivid sound used for both humans and animals.
It’s used in a few main ways:
For people: playfully biting or mock-biting
For eating or drinking: taking a big bite or gulp
For animals: biting or snapping at prey or food
Pronunciation
gah-boo (short and firm — like a strong bite)
Categories
Sound / Movement
What Does “Gabu” Look Like?
It looks like a dog biting a bone with energy.
Like a bear catching a fish in its jaws.
Like someone taking a big, satisfying bite of a burger.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with bold, quick rhythm:
Gabu!
Like a cartoonish “CHOMP!” sound — full of life and appetite.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Hungry dog
The dog saw the steak, jumped forward,
and bit it —
gabu!
Example 2: Juicy burger
He took a huge bite,
juice spilling down —
gabu!
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “Chomp!”
- “Bite!”
- “Take a big bite!”
But gabu adds warmth and humor —
you can almost hear the energy of the bite.
It’s often used in manga, children’s books, and anime sound effects for animals or people eating with enthusiasm.
Watch & Feel the “Gabu!” World!
Feel the “Gabu!” — the strong, sudden bite
He is eating watermelon Gabu!
Try Using It!
When you take a big bite of your sandwich — say gabu!
When your pet playfully bites your finger — say gabu!
When a cartoon character chomps down — you’ll definitely hear gabu!
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