ガバガバ

Alternative writings: がばがば
Frequency:
1

Very loose or oversized (clothing or containers); baggy.

Noun Taking 'の'Na-AdjectiveOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

このジャケット、肩がガバガバで変に見えるよ。

This jacket looks odd because the shoulders are way too loose.

子供が成長してズボンがガバガバになった。

The child has grown and the pants have become baggy.

靴の紐を結んでいないと、歩くたびに靴がガバガバする。

If you don't tie the shoelaces, the shoes flop around with every step.

2

Colloquially, to be rolling in money; to profit handsomely.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Irregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

あの店は流行っていて、オーナーは最近ガバガバだと聞いた。

I heard that shop is popular and the owner has been making a lot of money lately.

新しいアプリで一気に当たって、彼の懐はガバガバになった。

His new app was a big hit, and he suddenly started rolling in cash.

宝くじに当たってガバガバ儲かった夢を見た。

I dreamed I won the lottery and made a fortune.

3

Describing water or liquid sloshing or gushing; the sound/motion of a large amount of liquid moving.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Irregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

嵐で波が港に押し寄せ、船の中で水がガバガバ音を立てている。

Waves from the storm are hitting the harbor and water is sloshing loudly inside the boat.

バケツの水がガバガバこぼれてしまった。

The bucket's water sloshed out and spilled.

トラックの荷台で缶が倒れて、中の液体がガバガバと揺れていた。

Cans had tipped over on the truck bed and the liquids inside were sloshing around.

Word Relationships