もちもち
mochimochi
The Japanese word for chewy is もちもち (mochimochi), which describes a pliable or springy texture.
It is frequently used in food reviews and advertisements to describe the texture of items like bread, noodles and desserts.
Meaning: having a pliable or springy texture when chewed (adj)
Which one should you use?
While the English word 'chewy' can sometimes imply that something is tough or difficult to chew, もちもち specifically describes a positive, soft and springy texture.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use the word as a standard adjective modifying a noun, you can add した to the end to form もちもちした.
How do you pronounce it?
mochimochi
Did you know?
- Because もちもち evokes a pleasant, bouncy feeling, it is frequently used in the names of skincare products and beauty creams.
- The word もちもち is an example of an onomatopoeia that describes a feeling of touch rather than a sound, which in Japanese is called gitaigo.
- Japanese has a separate word, もちもち is distinct from ねばねば, which describes a sticky or slimy texture like that of okra or natto.
Examples in context
- もちもちスイーツが食べたい。I want a chewy sweet.This sentence is useful for expressing a desire to eat chewy sweets using もちもち.Tatoeba #11455328 by small_snow, translation #11455324 by sundown
- このお肉はしっかりした食感がありますね。This meat has a chewy texture, doesn't it?
- このパンの中のクリームはもっちもちしていて美味しいね。The cream inside this bread is chewy and delicious, isn't it?
- このパンはもちもちしています。Kono pan wa mochimochi shite imasu.This bread is chewy.
- もちもちの食感が好きです。Mochimochi no shokukan ga suki desu.I like the chewy texture.
Example conversation
At a bakery, two friends are trying a new bread.
- 大翔 Hirotoこのパン、もちもちだね！Kono pan, mochimochi dane!This bread is chewy!
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ、すごくおいしいね。Honto da, sugoku oishii ne.You're right, it's really delicious.
- 大翔 Hiroto陽葵は、もちもちした食べ物は好き？Himari wa, mochimochi shita tabemono wa suki?Himari, do you like chewy foods?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、大好きだよ！Un, daisuki da yo!Yes, I love them!
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
