Ever watched soup simmer with little bubbles popping at the surface?
Or seen a baby’s round cheeks or a pufferfish puff up adorably?
That’s when the Japanese sound word “Puku Puku” comes in — it expresses bubbling, puffing, or plumpness, often with a cute or soft nuance.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Puku Puku” (ぷくぷく)?
“Puku Puku” is a Japanese onomatopoeia used to describe two main types of situations:
- Bubbles forming or popping in water or liquid (like in boiling miso soup or carbonated drinks)
- Puffy, round things — such as a baby’s cheeks, a cartoon animal, or a dumpling rising in the steamer
It’s a soft, round sound — never sharp or aggressive — and often used for cute imagery.
Pronunciation
poo-koo poo-koo
(Say it gently and rhythmically — like small bubbles rising to the surface.)
Categories
Texture / Sound
What Does “Puku Puku” Look Like?
It looks like little bubbles in a pot.
Like a pufferfish puffing up.
Like round cheeks of a laughing baby.
How Do You Say It?
Say it softly:
Puku… puku…
Like steam rising from a warm bath,
or cheeks puffing with pride:
Puku puku…
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Bubbling pot
The soup simmered on the stove,
and tiny bubbles rose —
puku puku…
Example 2: Puffy cheeks
The baby’s cheeks were so round,
so soft,
puku puku…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “Bubbling”
- “Puffy”
- “Plump and round”
But “Puku Puku” adds a cute rhythm to it — you can almost see the bubbles or puffiness.
It’s often used in manga, anime, and baby talk — full of affection and lighthearted feeling.
Watch & Feel the “Puku Puku” World!
Feel the “Puku Puku” — Bubbles under the Sea
Try Using It!
Seeing something bubbling in your pot?
Noticing your pet puff up in winter?
Say:
Puku puku〜
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