ぼちぼち

ぼちぼち
adverb
so-so; little by little; soon
informaldescriptive
1. so-so; not bad; getting by
Used to describe a moderate or acceptable state, neither good nor bad.
ぼちぼちだよ。
I'm doing so-so.
調子(ちょうし)はどう？ぼちぼちだね。
How are you doing? So-so.
商売(しょうばい)はぼちぼちやっている。
Business is getting by, more or less.
2. little by little; gradually
Doing something at a slow, steady pace.
ぼちぼち進(すす)めている。
I'm making progress little by little.
ぼちぼち片付(かたづ)けていこう。
Let's clean up little by little.
桜(さくら)がぼちぼち咲(さ)き始(はじ)めた。
The cherry blossoms have started to bloom little by little.
3. soon; about time
Indicating that it's about time to do something.
ぼちぼち帰(かえ)ろうか。
Shall we head home soon?
ぼちぼち仕事(しごと)を始(はじ)めようか。
Shall we start working soon?
ぼちぼち時間(じかん)だから、行(い)こう。
It's about time, so let's go.

ぼちぼち is an informal, versatile adverb with three main uses: indicating a so-so state, gradual progress, or that it's about time to do something.

Regional note

Particularly associated with Kansai dialect (関西弁(かんさいべん)), where it's a signature response to 'How's business?' or 'How are you?' In standard Japanese, まあまあ or ぼつぼつ serve similar roles.

Usage by sense

Similar words

  • まあまあ: so-so, not bad (standard Japanese)
  • ぼつぼつ: gradually, soon (similar but less regional)
  • そろそろ: soon, before long (specifically for the 'about time' sense)

Related Words

Synonym: まあまあ (so-so (standard))
Synonym: そろそろ (soon, before long)
Compare: ぽつぽつ (bit by bit)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:20 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
05000/05311_bochibochi