ばたばた

ばたばた
adverb
flapping; in a rush; hectic
descriptive
1. flapping; fluttering
The sound or motion of something flapping repeatedly.
鳥(とり)がばたばたと羽(はね)を動(うご)かした。
The bird flapped its wings.
旗(はた)がばたばたと音(おと)を立(た)てている。
The flag is flapping noisily.
子供(こども)がばたばた走(はし)り回(まわ)っている。
The children are running around noisily.
2. in a rush; hectic; flustered
Being extremely busy and rushing around.
朝(あさ)はいつもばたばたしている。
Mornings are always hectic for me.
ばたばたして遅刻(ちこく)しそうになった。
I was in such a rush I almost was late.
年末(ねんまつ)はばたばたしていて、ゆっくり話(はな)す時間(じかん)がなかった。
Things were so hectic at the end of the year that I didn't have time to talk properly.

ばたばた is a mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)/擬音語(ぎおんご)) with two distinct uses: a physical flapping/clattering sound, and the feeling of being frantically busy.

Common patterns

Usage

In everyday conversation, sense 2 (hectic/rushed) is extremely common. ばたばたしている is a natural way to say "I've been really busy" or "things have been hectic."

Similar words

Related Words

Synonym: ぱたぱた (lighter flapping)
Synonym: どたばた (noisier commotion)
Compare: ぐちゃぐちゃ (describes a wet or squishy mess)
Compare: ゆったり (relaxed, loose, spacious)
Related: どさどさ (with a thud)
Compare: あたふた (in a fluster)
Compare: ぱたぱたする (to flap)
Related: ばたんばたん (bang-bang)
Compare: ばさばさ (rustling)
Compare: どたどた (with heavy clumsy footsteps)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05000/05353_batabata