ぼうぼう

ぼうぼう
adverb, na-adjective, onomatopoeia
overgrown; unkempt; blazing
onomatopoeia
1. overgrown; unkempt
Describes hair, grass, or vegetation that has grown wild and uncontrolled.
髭(ひげ)がぼうぼうだ。
His beard is unkempt.
庭(にわ)の草(くさ)がぼうぼうに生(は)えている。
The grass in the garden has grown wild.
留守(るす)の間(あいだ)に庭(にわ)がぼうぼうになってしまった。
While I was away, the garden became completely overgrown.
2. blazing; burning fiercely
The sound or manner of flames burning intensely.
火(ひ)がぼうぼう燃(も)えている。
The fire is blazing fiercely.
山火事(やまかじ)がぼうぼうと燃(も)え広(ひろ)がった。
The wildfire blazed and spread.
焚(た)き火(び)がぼうぼうと音(おと)を立(た)てて燃(も)えていて、夜(よる)の森(もり)を明(あか)るく照(て)らしていた。
The bonfire blazed with a roar, brightly illuminating the nighttime forest.

An onomatopoeic word with two distinct senses. Can be used as an adverb (often with と) or as a na-adjective.

Sense 1 (OVERGROWN)

Describes vegetation or hair that has grown wild and untidy.

Sense 2 (BLAZING)

Describes the sound and manner of fire burning fiercely.

Similar words

  • ぼさぼさ: messy, disheveled (hair — less extreme)
  • めらめら: flames flickering/licking
  • ごうごう: roaring (fire, wind, water — louder)

Usage

The overgrown sense implies neglect — things have been left unattended.

Related Words

Compare: めらめら (flames flickering)
Compare: ごうごう (roaring (fire, wind, water)
general
Added 2026.1.16 18:42 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
05500/05726_boubou