ぶるぶる

ぶるぶる
adverb, onomatopoeia
trembling; shivering; shaking
descriptive
1. trembling; shivering; shaking
Mimetic word describing the involuntary shaking of the body due to cold, fear, or anger. Represents a rapid, fine vibration of the whole body or parts of it.
寒(さむ)くてぶるぶる震(ふる)えた。
I was shivering from the cold.
犬(いぬ)が怖(こわ)がってぶるぶる震(ふる)えている。
The dog is trembling with fear.
怒(いか)りでぶるぶると手(て)が震(ふる)えた。
My hands trembled with anger.
薄着(うすぎ)で外(そと)に出(で)たら、ぶるぶる震(ふる)えが止(と)まらなかった。
When I went outside in light clothing, I couldn't stop shivering.

One of the most common body-related onomatopoeia in Japanese. The voiced consonant ぶ gives it a heavier, more visceral feeling than the lighter がたがた. Always involuntary — the shaking is caused by an external stimulus (cold, fear, anger) that the person cannot control.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • がたがた震(ふる)える: to shiver violently — stronger, implies teeth chattering or louder shaking
  • わなわな震(ふる)える: to tremble (with emotion) — emphasizes emotional intensity, especially anger or shock
  • ぷるぷる: to quiver — lighter, cuter vibration; used for jelly-like textures or small movements

Related Words

Compare: ぷるぷる (to quiver)
Compare: ガクガク (shaking, trembling)
Compare: ぞくぞく (shivering)
general
Added 2026.5.5 23:13 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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