Translation guide
Describes something small, plump, and adorable, often with a rounded shape. Japanese uses several mimetic words and adjectives to capture this feeling.
Describe something small, plump, and adorable, emphasizing its roundness and cuteness.
An adverb meaning 'plump' or 'chubby', often used with cute things like babies or animals. Implies a round, soft, and adorable appearance.
その子犬はまるまると太っていてかわいい。
That puppy is plump and cute.
A mimetic word meaning 'chubby' or 'plump' in a cute, positive way. Often used for people, especially children or young women, but also for animals.
ぽっちゃりしたほっぺがかわいい。
Her chubby cheeks are cute.
A mimetic word meaning 'perfectly round'. Often used for round faces, eyes, or objects, and carries a cute nuance.
まんまるな目をした子猫。
A kitten with big round eyes.
A mimetic word for something small and round, often rolling or looking plump. Can describe cute, round animals or objects.
ころころしたハムスターがかわいい。
The round little hamster is cute.
Describe an object that is round and cute, such as a button, a cushion, or a piece of candy.
A straightforward phrase meaning 'round and cute'. Natural and easy to use for any round, cute object.
このクッションはまるくてかわいい。
This cushion is round and cute.
Emphasizes perfect roundness. 'Manmaru' means perfectly round, and adding 'kawaii' makes it cute.
まんまるでかわいいボタン。
A perfectly round and cute button.
Describe a person, often a child or a young woman, who is pleasantly plump and cute.
As above, but specifically for people. It's a positive, affectionate term for someone who is chubby and cute.
彼女はぽっちゃりしていてかわいい。
She is chubby and cute.
Can also be used for people, especially babies or young children, to mean plump and cute.
Both mean 'plump' or 'chubby', but まるまる emphasizes roundness and is often used for babies and animals. ぽっちゃり is more commonly used for people and has a softer, cuter nuance, often describing a pleasantly chubby figure.
まるまるとした子犬
a plump puppy
ぽっちゃりした女の子
a chubby girl (cute)
太っている (futotte iru) means 'fat' and can sound negative or blunt. For a cute, round appearance, use まるまる, ぽっちゃり, or まんまる instead.
まるまるとした赤ちゃん。
A plump baby.