ぼろぼろ
ぼろぼろ
adverb
worn out; tattered; crumbling
1.
worn out; tattered; falling apart
Describes something that is old and deteriorated, falling apart or in poor condition.
この靴はぼろぼろになった。
These shoes have become worn out.
古い家がぼろぼろで危ない。
The old house is falling apart and dangerous.
何年も使っている辞書がぼろぼろになってきた。
The dictionary I've been using for years is getting worn out.
2.
crumbling; falling apart in pieces
Describes something breaking apart or crumbling into pieces.
クッキーがぼろぼろ崩れた。
The cookie crumbled into pieces.
乾いた土がぼろぼろと落ちた。
Dry soil crumbled and fell off.
壁のペンキが古くなって、ぼろぼろと剥がれてきた。
The paint on the wall got old and started peeling off in flakes.
ぼろぼろ is a mimetic word (擬態語) describing things that are worn out, falling apart, or crumbling.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ぼろぼろになる: to become worn out/tattered
- ぼろぼろの〜: worn-out, tattered (noun modifier)
- ぼろぼろ崩れる: to crumble apart
EXTENDED MEANINGS:
- ぼろぼろ泣く: to cry one's eyes out (tears falling like drops)
- 体がぼろぼろ: physically exhausted/broken down
- 心がぼろぼろ: emotionally shattered
USAGE:
Functions as a na-adjective modifier (ぼろぼろな/ぼろぼろの) or adverbially (ぼろぼろと落ちる). Very common in everyday speech.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ぼろい: shabby, worn out (i-adjective)
- がたがた: rattling, shaky (more about instability than deterioration)
Related Words
Related:
がたがた (rattling, shaky)