Ever caught yourself mumbling complaints under your breath?
Or noticed a bumpy texture on your skin or food?
That’s “Butsu Butsu” — a sound of small repetitions, either in voice or texture.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Butsu Butsu” (ぶつぶつ)?
“Butsu Butsu” represents muttering, grumbling, or bumpy texture —
something broken into small, uneven bits, whether in sound or surface.
It’s used for:
- Speech — mumbling complaints or small talk to oneself.
- Skin — rough, irritated, or covered with small bumps.
- Surface — something uneven, like a sauce with clumps.
Pronunciation
boo-tsoo boo-tsoo
(Say it with tiny pauses — small bursts, like quiet frustration bubbling out.)
Categories
Sound / Condition
What Does “Butsu Butsu” Look Like?
It looks like someone muttering while washing dishes.
Like pimples or small bumps appearing on skin.
Like the surface of boiling miso soup.
How Do You Say It?
Say it quietly, half under your breath:
Butsu butsu…
Like complaints too small to say aloud,
or words tumbling without shape:
Butsu butsu…
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Complaining quietly
He muttered all the way home,
butsu butsu about his boss…
Example 2: Rough skin
Her hands felt rough and bumpy —
butsu butsu…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
“He was grumbling.”
or “Her skin felt bumpy.”
But “butsu butsu” carries sound, rhythm, and feeling —
you can hear the texture or the mood.
Watch & Feel the “Butsu Butsu” World!
This dog is saying Butsu Butsu about something.
Try Using It!
When you’re grumbling softly,
or when your soup’s bubbling slightly,
say it naturally:
Butsu butsu〜
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