ベロベロなめる

also: べろべろなめる

Meanings

1

expression, ichidan verb

lick up; lap up

usually written using kana alone

Describes licking something up eagerly or thoroughly, often with a sense of messiness or enthusiasm. The mimetic adverb ベロベロ suggests a tongue moving repeatedly.

犬いぬがこぼれたミルクをベロベロ舐なめた。
The dog lapped up the spilled milk.
子こ供どもはアイスクリームをベロベロ舐なめ

て

い

た

。

The child was licking the ice cream messily.

Written forms

ベロベロ舐なめる
Common katakana spelling for the mimetic part; the verb is usually written with kanji.
べろべろ舐なめる
Hiragana variant of the mimetic part; less common but still seen.
べろべろ嘗なめる
嘗める is a less common kanji for なめる; 舐める is preferred.
べろべろなめる

Kanji

舐lick, lap up, burn up
嘗once, before, formerly

Similar words

舐なめる
舐める is the general verb for 'lick'. ベロベロ舐める adds the mimetic nuance of licking repeatedly or messily.
ペロペロ舐なめる
ペロペロ舐める is similar but often implies a lighter, more playful licking, like a cat or a child licking a lollipop. ベロベロ can sound more vigorous or sloppy.

Etymology

The mimetic adverb ベロベロ imitates the sound or motion of a tongue moving repeatedly. Combined with 舐める (to lick), it forms an emphatic expression for licking something up.