Ever watched bubbles rise quickly in boiling water?
Or seen someone gain weight a little too fast, in a not-so-positive way?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Buku Buku” (ぶくぶく) comes in —
a sound that’s soft, repetitive, and a little heavy, used for both bubbly surfaces and swelling bodies.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Buku Buku” (ぶくぶく)?
“Buku Buku” is a Japanese sound word used in two main ways:
- For bubbles: rising, foamy, swelling bubbles in liquid (like boiling soup or washing detergent)
- For body weight: gaining weight in a slightly bloated, unhealthy, or exaggerated way
Unlike “puku puku” or “poka poka,” which have cute or warm nuances,
“buku buku” often feels a little excessive — too much foam, too much weight.
It can be humorous, but also carries a lightly critical or silly tone.
Pronunciation
boo-koo boo-koo
(Say it in a soft, round rhythm — like bubbles softly bursting upward.)
Categories
Condition / Sound
What Does “Buku Buku” Look Like?
It looks like:
- A pot bubbling over with too much water
- Bubbles in a warm bath
- A balloon-like belly expanding slowly
- A person who’s been eating too many sweets (in a comic way)
How Do You Say It?
Say it slowly, puffing your cheeks a bit:
Buku buku…
Like bubbles rising up in warm water,
or someone slowly getting rounder and rounder:
Buku buku…
Example in Daily Life
Too many snacks!
He’s been eating cookies every night…
and now he’s getting buku buku…
Cultural Note
You’ll find “buku buku” in:
- Manga (comedic fattening scenes)
- Cooking descriptions (ramen bubbling!)
- Children’s picture books
It’s casual, expressive, and slightly negative, but also fun and easy to say
Watch & Feel the “Buku Buku” World!
Feel the “Buku Buku” — Scuba Diving
Try Using It!
When you boil something…
When you draw a bubble bath…
When your pants feel tighter than last week…
Say it with a puffed-up smile:
Buku buku〜
Comments