ぺらぺら
ぺらぺら
adverb, na-adjective
fluent; thin; flipping
1.
fluent; fluently
Describes speaking a language smoothly and naturally, often used for foreign language ability.
彼は英語がぺらぺらだ。
He is fluent in English.
ぺらぺらと日本語を話す。
To speak Japanese fluently.
留学してフランス語がぺらぺらになった。
I became fluent in French after studying abroad.
2.
thin; flimsy
Describes something that is thin and lacking substance.
この紙はぺらぺらで破れやすい。
This paper is thin and tears easily.
ぺらぺらの本だったのですぐ読めた。
It was a thin book so I finished it quickly.
こんなぺらぺらの生地では寒い。
Such thin fabric won't keep you warm.
3.
flipping; chattering
The sound or action of pages flipping or someone talking too much.
ページをぺらぺらとめくる。
To flip through pages.
秘密をぺらぺら喋る。
To blab secrets.
ぺらぺらと余計なことを言うな。
Don't go on chattering about unnecessary things.
ぺらぺら is an onomatopoeic word with multiple meanings depending on context.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- 〜語がぺらぺら: fluent in (language)
- ぺらぺら話す: to speak fluently; to chatter
- ぺらぺらの紙: thin/flimsy paper
USAGE NOTES:
- The 'fluent' sense is most common in everyday conversation
- Can have a negative nuance when describing someone who talks too much
- The 'thin' sense is often slightly critical
Related Words
Synonym:
流暢 (fluent (formal))