Ever poked something soft — and instead of springing back nicely, it just wobbled awkwardly?
That’s when the Japanese sound “Buyo Buyo” (ぶよぶよ) comes in.
It describes a squishy, overly soft, almost bloated texture — the kind that doesn’t feel pleasant to touch.
It’s not the playful “boing” of a jelly…
It’s more like: “Hmm… that’s a bit much.”
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Buyo Buyo” (ぶよぶよ) ?
Buyo Buyo is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes something soft, saggy, and bloated — in a way that often feels slightly unpleasant.
It’s used to describe:
- Flabby parts of the body
- Overly soft food (in a bad way)
- Balloons or rubbery things that wobble without spring
This is not a cute squish.
It’s the kind that makes you go: “…Ehh.”
Pronunciation
boo-yo boo-yo
Say it slowly and wobbly, like your voice is bouncing along with the shape.
Category
Texture
What Does “Buyo Buyo” Look Like?
It looks like:
- A stomach that jiggles when touched
- A soft ball that has lost its bounce
- A dumpling that’s been steamed too long
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a slow, wobbly rhythm:
Buyo… buyo…
The kind of sound you might make when pressing into a stress ball that’s too soft, or when describing a squishy, untoned arm with a sympathetic wince.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A squishy belly
He poked his stomach in the mirror —
it jiggled slowly…
buyo buyo…
Example 2: Too-soft tofu
She tried a new kind of tofu,
but it was overcooked and sagging.
Not creamy — just…
buyo buyo.
Cultural Note
In Japanese, we have all kinds of sound words for texture:
- Fuwa Fuwa — light and fluffy
- Puyo Puyo — soft and springy (playful!)
- Buyo Buyo — soft and saggy (not so nice)
Buyo Buyo stands out as slightly negative.
It often implies lack of firmness, flabbiness, or an unpleasant squishiness.
When used to describe a person’s body, it can sound teasing or critical — so be careful how you use it!
Watch & Feel the “Buyo Buyo” World!
Feel the “Buyo Buyo” — Eggs of Flog
Try Using It!
When you squeeze a stress ball that’s gone mushy…
When your tofu collapses on your chopsticks…
When your belly jiggles more than expected…
Say it with sympathy (or concern):
Buyo buyo…
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