Translation guide
The English word "babbling" can refer to several distinct ideas: the early speech-like sounds of babies, rapid or incoherent adult speech, and the continuous murmuring sound of water. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression for each meaning.
baby babbling
babbling brook
The standard term for infant babbling, used in parenting and developmental contexts.
The baby started babbling.
Refers to baby talk in general, including babbling and simplified speech adults use with babies.
She talked to the baby in baby talk.
An onomatopoeic expression mimicking the sound of babbling, often used casually.
The baby is going "babble babble."
Rapid, confused, or meaningless talk by an adult, often due to excitement, nervousness, or mental state.
Describes speaking rapidly and incessantly, often in a way that is hard to follow.
He was nervous and started babbling rapidly.
Literally "to say things that don't make sense," a natural way to describe incoherent babbling.
Means "nonsense" or "rubbish," often used to dismiss someone's babbling as foolish talk.
The gentle, continuous murmuring sound of a stream or brook.
喃語 (なんご) specifically refers to infant babbling. Using it for adult speech would sound unnatural.
Delirious with fever, he was babbling nonsense.
そんなたわごとは聞きたくない。
I don't want to hear such babbling.
小川がさらさらと流れている。
The stream is babbling gently.