びらびら

び

ら

び

ら

Meanings

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

fluttering; flapping

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes the flapping or fluttering of thick, heavy, or stiff material such as cloth, paper, or metal. Often used adverbially with と or as a する verb.

強きょう風ふうでテントの布ぬのがびらびらと音おとを立たてた。
The tent fabric flapped noisily in the strong wind.

壁かべに貼はったポスターの端はしがびらびらしている。

The edge of the poster on the wall is fluttering.

noun

dangling piece; flap

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Refers to a piece of cloth, paper, metal, or similar material that hangs loosely and flutters. Often used for decorative or functional flaps.

その服ふくには飾かざりのびらびらがたくさん付ついている。
That outfit has a lot of decorative dangling pieces.
紙かみのびらびらを引ひっ張ぱると箱はこが開ひらく。
Pull the paper flap to open the box.

noun

labia minora; inner lips

colloquial

Colloquial term for the labia minora, derived from the fluttering or dangling imagery. Used in informal contexts.

Written forms

びらびらUsage54%
Standard hiragana spelling for this mimetic word.
ビラビラUsage46%
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.

Similar words

ひらひら
ひらひら describes light, thin, or delicate fluttering (e.g., cherry blossoms, a light skirt), while びらびら implies heavier, thicker, or stiffer material flapping.
ばたばた
ばたばた suggests a louder, more chaotic flapping or banging noise, often with a sense of haste or disorder, unlike the steady fluttering of びらびら.

Etymology

Mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but the reduplicated form びらびら likely imitates the sound and motion of heavy, flapping material.