むしゃむしゃ
mushamusha
The Japanese phrase for chomp is むしゃむしゃ (mushamusha).
むしゃむしゃ is used to describe the sound or manner of eating something heartily or greedily, rather than a single sharp bite.
Meaning: to bite or munch loudly or heavily (verb)
Which one should you use?
While むしゃむしゃ describes the sound/manner of eating, the verb がっつく is used to describe the act of eating greedily or wolfing down food.
How does it change in a sentence?
To use this onomatopoeic word as an adverb meaning 'munching' or 'chomping', you often add the particle と after it.
How do you pronounce it?
mushamusha
Did you know?
- While むしゃむしゃ mimics a sound, it is often categorized as gitaigo, which describes a state or manner rather than a literal noise. This means a person can be described as eating むしゃむしゃ even if the room is completely silent.
- In Japanese, sounds like むしゃむしゃ are used as essential adjectives and adverbs in daily conversation. They are not just 'sound effects' found in comic books, but a standard part of adult speech.
- The word もぐもぐ is used to tell children to chew with their mouths closed, whereas むしゃむしゃ would be considered an inappropriate or messy way to eat in a polite social setting.
Examples in context
- 私はりんごをかんでいます。I am biting into an apple.
- 彼女はケーキをかみました。She bit into the cake.
- 彼はハンバーガーをかじっています。He is munching on a hamburger.
- 彼はパンをむしゃむしゃ食べている。Kare wa pan o mushamusha tabete iru.He is munching on bread loudly.
- 子供がリンゴをむしゃむしゃと食べている。Kodomo ga ringo o mushamusha to tabete iru.The child is munching heavily on an apple.
- 彼女はスナックをむしゃむしゃ食べている。Kanojo wa sunakku o mushamusha tabete iru.She is munching on snacks.
Example conversation
Yui and Kenta are watching a hungry puppy in a park.
- 結衣 Yuiあの犬、ごはんをむしゃむしゃ食べているね。Ano inu, gohan o mushamusha tabete iru ne.That dog is munching on its food, isn't it?
- 健太 Kenta本当だ、すごく美味しそうに食べてるね。Hontō da, sugoku oishisō ni tabeteru ne.You're right, he's eating so happily.
- 結衣 Yui健太くん、見て！すごく勢いよく食べてるよ。Kenta-kun, mite! Sugoku ikioi yoku tabeteru yo.Kenta, look! He is eating with such gusto.
- 健太 Kenta本当だ、すごい音で食べてるね。Hontō da, sugoi oto de tabeteru ne.You're right, he's making a lot of noise eating.
