JLPT N1 Vocabulary
点
【ぼつぼつ】
(ぼつぼつ (botsu-botsu))
Definition: 意味
Gradually; little by little; it’s about time; spotted.
- `ぼつぼつ` is a versatile Japanese mimetic word (giongo/gitaigo) with multiple meanings.
- It often describes something beginning or progressing slowly and steadily, or happening little by little.
- It can also represent the appearance of small, distinct spots or pimples on a surface.
- Used informally as an interjection, it signals that it’s an appropriate time to start something or to leave.
- Though primarily written in hiragana, we’ve assigned the kanji `点 (ten)` here due to its conceptual link to ‘spots’ or ‘points’ of progression, aligning with some of `ぼつぼつ`’s meanings.
ぼつぼつ – Example Sentences 例文
Example #1
雪がぼつぼつ降り始めた。
Furigana: 雪(ゆき)がぼつぼつ降(ふ)り始(はじ)めた。
Romaji: Yuki ga botsu-botsu furi hajimeta.
English: It started snowing little by little.
Example #2
仕事がぼつぼつ片付いてきた。
Furigana: 仕事(しごと)がぼつぼつ片付(かたづ)いてきた。
Romaji: Shigoto ga botsu-botsu katazuite kita.
English: The work is gradually getting sorted out.
Example #3
顔にぼつぼつができた。
Furigana: 顔(かお)にぼつぼつができた。
Romaji: Kao ni botsu-botsu ga dekita.
English: Pimples appeared on my face.
Example #4
ぼつぼつ帰りましょうか。
Furigana: ぼつぼつ帰(かえ)りましょうか。
Romaji: Botsu-botsu kaerimashou ka.
English: Shall we go home now? (It’s about time to go home.)
Example #5
病状がぼつぼつ回復に向かっている。
Furigana: 病状(びょうじょう)がぼつぼつ回復(かいふく)に向(む)かっている。
Romaji: Byoujou ga botsu-botsu kaifuku ni mukatte iru.
English: His condition is gradually improving.
Example #6
そろそろぼつぼつ始めようか。
Furigana: そろそろぼつぼつ始(はじ)めようか。
Romaji: Soro-soro botsu-botsu hajimeyou ka.
English: Shall we gradually start soon?
Example #7
道に雨粒がぼつぼつと落ち始めた。
Furigana: 道(みち)に雨粒(あまつぶ)がぼつぼつと落(お)ち始(はじ)めた。
Romaji: Michi ni amatsubu ga botsu-botsu to ochi hajimeta.
English: Raindrops started falling little by little on the road.
Example #8
ぼつぼつと行動に移ろう。
Furigana: ぼつぼつと行動(こうどう)に移(うつ)ろう。
Romaji: Botsu-botsu to kōdō ni utsurou.
English: Let’s gradually move into action.
Example #9
じゃあ、ぼつぼつ本題に入りましょう。
Furigana: じゃあ、ぼつぼつ本題(ほんだい)に入(はい)りましょう。
Romaji: Jaa, botsu-botsu hondai ni hairimashou.
English: Well then, let’s gradually get to the main topic.
Example #10
少しずつ、気分もぼつぼつ良くなってきた。
Furigana: 少(すこ)しずつ、気分(きぶん)もぼつぼつ良(よ)くなってきた。
Romaji: Sukoshi zutsu, kibun mo botsu-botsu yoku natte kita.
English: Little by little, I’ve started feeling a bit better.
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