ぼこぼこ

ぼこぼこ
adverb
bumpy; dented; beaten up
1. bumpy; uneven; full of dents
Describes a surface with many bumps or dents.
この(みち)はぼこぼこだ。
This road is bumpy.
(くるま)がぼこぼこにへこんでいる。
The car is full of dents.
2. beaten up; battered
Describes being thoroughly beaten or defeated.
ゲームでぼこぼこにされた。
I got completely beaten in the game.
Colloquial usage

ぼこぼこ has both literal (bumpy surface) and figurative (beaten badly) meanings.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ぼこぼこにする: to beat up, to dent badly
  • ぼこぼこにされる: to get beaten badly

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • でこぼこ: uneven, bumpy (similar but without violent connotation)
  • ぼろぼろ: worn out, tattered