ぼさぼさ

ぼさぼさ
adverb, onomatopoeia
messy; disheveled (hair); standing around idle
descriptiveonomatopoeia
1. messy; disheveled; tousled (especially of hair)
Describes hair that is unkempt and sticking out in every direction; can also describe other fibrous things (a worn-out broom, dry grass) that have come apart.
髪(かみ)がぼさぼさだ。
My hair is a mess.
寝起(ねお)きで髪(かみ)がぼさぼさになっている。
My hair is all tousled from sleeping.
庭(にわ)の雑草(ざっそう)がぼさぼさに伸(の)びてしまった。
The weeds in the garden have grown out into a messy tangle.
2. standing around idle; spaced out
Describes someone hanging around blankly without doing what they should be doing. Often used in a scolding tone.
ぼさぼさしてないで早(はや)く手伝(てつだ)って。
Stop standing around and come help, quickly.
ぼさぼさしてたら電車(でんしゃ)に乗(の)り遅(おく)れるよ。
If you keep spacing out, you'll miss the train.
何(なに)をぼさぼさ突(つ)っ立(た)っているんだ、早(はや)く動(うご)け。
What are you standing around blankly for? Get moving.

Sense 1 is the everyday meaning, usually about hair. Sense 2 uses the する form (ぼさぼさする) to scold someone for being idle or slow.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ぐしゃぐしゃ: crumpled or rumpled — broader, also for paper and cloth
  • もじゃもじゃ: bushy, frizzy hair — emphasizes volume and curl
  • ぼうっと: spaced out — sense 2 equivalent without the visual messiness

Related Words

Compare: ぐしゃぐしゃ (crumpled or rumpled)
general
Added 2026.6.8 16:55 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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