ぽこぽこ

ぽこぽこ
adverb, onomatopoeia
bubbling; popping; one after another
onomatopoeiadescriptive
1. bubbling; gurgling; popping
Mimics the sound or appearance of bubbles rising, liquid boiling gently, or hollow tapping sounds.
お湯(ゆ)がぽこぽこ沸(わ)いている。
The water is bubbling away.
泥(どろ)の中(なか)からぽこぽこと泡(あわ)が出(で)てくる。
Bubbles are popping up from the mud.
太鼓(たいこ)をぽこぽこ叩(たた)いて遊(あそ)んでいる。
They're playing by tapping on a drum.
2. one after another; popping up repeatedly
Describes things appearing, emerging, or happening in quick succession, like bubbles surfacing.
新(あたら)しいカフェがぽこぽこ出来(でき)ている。
New cafes are popping up one after another.
モグラがぽこぽこ穴(あな)から顔(かお)を出(だ)す。
Moles keep popping their heads out of holes.
アイデアがぽこぽこ浮(う)かんできた。
Ideas kept popping up one after another.

An onomatopoeic word evoking light, hollow, repetitive sounds or movements. The "poko" base suggests something round and soft emerging or being tapped. Has a playful, lighthearted feel.

Usage

Can function as an adverb (ぽこぽこと or ぽこぽこ before a verb) and as a する-verb (ぽこぽこする). The figurative sense of things appearing in rapid succession is an extension of the bubbling imagery.

Similar words

  • ぶくぶく: gurgling; bubbling vigorously — larger, more vigorous bubbles than ぽこぽこ
  • ぐつぐつ: simmering — heavier boiling sound, implies cooking
  • ぽんぽん: pop-pop; one after another — similar in the "rapid succession" sense, but with a sharper popping feel
  • ぼこぼこ: bumpy; dented — describes an uneven surface or being beaten up; rougher connotation

Related Words

Compare: ぶくぶく (gurgling)
Compare: ぐつぐつ (simmering)
Compare: ぽんぽん (pop-pop)
Compare: ぼこぼこ (bumpy)
general
Added 2026.4.22 20:26 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
25000/25029_pokopoko