Translation guide
Describes a body or body part that is slightly fat in a soft, rounded way. In Japanese, this is expressed through adjectives and descriptive phrases focusing on plumpness, roundness, or chubbiness, often with a cute or neutral nuance.
To describe someone (often a child or a cute character) or a body part (like cheeks, fingers, belly) as pleasantly plump or chubby.
A common, neutral-to-positive term for a soft, slightly plump body type. Often used for people, especially women and children, and can sound cute or affectionate.
To refer to a particular part of the body (cheeks, fingers, belly) that is soft and slightly fat.
Words like 太った (futotta) simply mean 'fat' and lack the soft, slightly cute nuance of 'pudgy'. Use ぽっちゃり or onomatopoeia instead for a neutral or affectionate tone.
ぽっちゃり describes an overall soft, plump body type. むっちり implies firm, fleshy plumpness, often with a positive or sensual feel. ぷにぷに is for squishy softness, typically of a specific body part like cheeks or belly.
She is pudgy.
ぽっちゃりした体型が好きだ。
I like a pudgy figure.
Describes a firm yet plump, fleshy body, often with a positive or sensual nuance. Used for thighs, arms, or a well-rounded figure.
むっちりした太もも。
Pudgy thighs.
Literally 'round and plump', often used for babies or cute animals. Emphasizes a healthy, chubby roundness.
赤ちゃんのまるまるとした腕。
The baby's pudgy arms.
Soft and plump, often used for cheeks, bread, or a gentle roundness. Can describe a face or body part that is pleasantly full.
ふっくらしたほっぺ。
Pudgy cheeks.
An onomatopoeic word for something soft and squishy, like a baby's cheek or a pudgy belly. Very common in casual speech.
この子のほっぺはぷにぷにだ。
This kid's cheeks are pudgy.
お腹がぷにぷにしてきた。
My belly has gotten pudgy.
Describes loose, flabby fat that jiggles, often on the belly or under the arms. Slightly more negative than ぷにぷに.
二の腕がたぷたぷしている。
My upper arms are pudgy and flabby.