Translation guide
The English word 'dribble' has two main uses: in sports, to move a ball with repeated small touches; and in everyday life, to let liquid flow or fall in drops. This guide covers both meanings with natural Japanese expressions.
Express the action of controlling a ball by bouncing, kicking, or pushing it repeatedly while moving, as in basketball, soccer, or hockey.
The standard loanword for 'dribble' in sports. Used for basketball, soccer, hockey, etc. It is a suru-verb.
彼はドリブルで相手を抜いた。
He dribbled past the opponent.
He shot while dribbling.
Noun form. Often used with をする or as a modifier.
彼のドリブルは速い。
His dribble is fast.
Describe liquid coming out of something slowly, or causing liquid to fall in small amounts, such as drooling, a leaky faucet, or pouring a little.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to drip', 'to droop', or 'to hang down'. Used for liquids dripping, or something hanging loosely. For dribbling liquid, it often implies a continuous thin stream or drops.
蛇口から水が垂れている。
Water is dribbling from the faucet.
赤ちゃんのよだれが垂れている。
The baby's drool is dribbling down.
Transitive verb meaning 'to let drip', 'to dribble', 'to pour in drops'. Used when someone intentionally lets liquid fall in small amounts.
Onomatopoeic phrase for liquid falling in distinct drops, like a leaky faucet. Emphasizes the sound and rhythm of dribbling.
水道がぽたぽた落ちている。
The tap is dribbling (drip-dropping).
Specific phrase for 'to drool' or 'to dribble saliva'. Common for babies, pets, or when hungry.
犬がよだれを垂らしている。
The dog is dribbling saliva.
Means 'to spill'. Can be used when liquid dribbles over the edge of a container, but it implies a larger amount or accident. Not a direct equivalent for controlled dribbling.
Use only when the dribbling results in a spill. For intentional small drops, use 垂らす.
垂れる is intransitive: the liquid drips by itself. 垂らす is transitive: someone makes it drip. Compare: 水が垂れる (water drips) vs 水を垂らす (dribble water).
ドリブル is only for sports. Using it for dripping liquid sounds unnatural. Use 垂れる or 垂らす instead.
He dribbled coffee on the floor.
醤油を少し垂らしてください。
Please dribble a little soy sauce.
赤ちゃんがミルクをこぼした。
The baby spilled (dribbled) milk.