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(くつ)はぼろぼろになった。
These shoes have become worn out.
古(ふる)い家(いえ)がぼろぼろで危(あぶ)ない。
The old house is falling apart and dangerous.
何年(なんねん)も使(つか)っている辞書(じしょ)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(くず)れた。
The cookie crumbled into pieces.
乾(かわ)いた土(つち)がぼろぼろと落(お)ちた。
Dry soil crumbled and fell off.
壁(かべ)のペンキが古(ふる)くなって、ぼろぼろと剥(は)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(ぎたいご)) 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(くず)れる: to crumble apart

EXTENDED MEANINGS:

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(お)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)
general
Added 2026.1.16 12:16 · Revised 2026.6.5 2:10
05000/05164_boroboro