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B1 adverb #9,500 الأكثر شيوعاً 10 دقيقة للقراءة

ちびちび

Chibichibi, sipping slowly; drinking little by little.

chibichibi
At the A1 level, you can think of 'chibichibi' as a special word for 'sipping.' While you usually learn 'nomu' (to drink), 'chibichibi' tells us *how* someone is drinking. Imagine you have a very hot cup of tea. You cannot drink it fast, right? You take a tiny bit, wait, and take another tiny bit. That is 'chibichibi.' In Japanese, we have many words that sound like the action they describe. This word is easy to remember because it sounds small and repetitive. You can use it simply: 'Ocha o chibichibi nomimasu' (I drink tea little by little). It is a fun word to use when you are at a cafe with friends and you want to describe how you are enjoying your drink slowly. Just remember it is for small amounts, not big ones!
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For A2 learners, 'chibichibi' is a useful adverb to add more detail to your sentences. Instead of just saying 'I ate' or 'I drank,' you can describe the manner. It is often used with hot drinks or expensive things. For example, if you buy a very expensive chocolate bar, you don't eat it all at once. You eat it 'chibichibi' over a few days. Grammatically, you just put it before the verb. You might also see it with the particle 'to,' like 'chibichibi to.' This makes it sound a bit more like a description of the scene. It is a very common word in daily life, especially when talking about habits or enjoying a relaxed time. Try using it when you talk about your hobbies, like 'I read this difficult book chibichibi every night.'
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At the B1 level, you should start recognizing 'chibichibi' as a 'gitaigo' (mimetic word) that conveys a specific atmosphere. It is not just about the physical act of sipping; it often implies savoring, being cautious, or making something last due to its value or scarcity. In a social context, using 'chibichibi' can describe a person's drinking style at a party—perhaps they are a light drinker or they are trying to stay sober. It's also frequently used in financial contexts to describe spending money in small increments. You should be able to distinguish it from 'sukoshi-zutsu' (which is more neutral and general). 'Chibichibi' has a more 'visual' and 'rhythmic' feel to it. Understanding this word helps you sound more natural and less like a textbook.
At the B2 level, you can appreciate the nuance 'chibichibi' brings to literature and storytelling. It often sets a mood of quietude, patience, or even a slight sense of struggle (like paying off a debt 'chibichibi'). You should also be aware of its potential for subtle social commentary. For instance, if someone is described as doing their work 'chibichibi,' it might imply they are being overly cautious or lacking boldness, depending on the context. You should be comfortable using it with a variety of verbs beyond just 'nomu' and 'taberu,' such as 'susumeru' (to progress) or 'tsukau' (to spend). Recognizing the difference between 'chibichibi' and its more negative counterpart 'chobichobi' is also important at this stage to avoid accidental rudeness.
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For C1 learners, 'chibichibi' is a tool for nuanced expression in both spoken and written Japanese. You should understand its role in creating 'ma' (space/timing) in a narrative. In high-level literature, 'chibichibi' can evoke a sense of the 'everydayness' of life or the slow passage of time. You should be able to use it metaphorically to describe the trickle-down effect of policies or the slow, incremental changes in a relationship. Furthermore, you should be familiar with its variant 'chibiri-chibiri,' which appears in classical or early modern texts, and understand how the reduplication of the 'chi' sound functions within the broader system of Japanese phonosemantics. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the word's register—it is informal to neutral, but can be used effectively in descriptive essays.
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At the C2 level, you possess a near-native grasp of 'chibichibi' and can use it to manipulate the tone of your communication perfectly. You understand the deep psychological associations of the word—how it can represent anything from the refined appreciation of a connoisseur to the desperate frugality of someone in poverty. You can analyze its use in various media, from the dialogue in a gritty noir film to the marketing copy of a luxury tea brand. You are also aware of how the word fits into the historical development of Japanese adverbs and can discuss its relationship with other sound-symbolic words. At this level, 'chibichibi' is not just a vocabulary item but a cultural marker that you use with precision to evoke specific imagery and emotion in your audience.
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أمثلة

ちびちび في 30 ثانية

  • An adverb describing the action of sipping or eating in very small, repeated amounts over a period of time.
  • Commonly used for enjoying alcohol, hot drinks, or expensive foods, implying a sense of savoring or caution.
  • Can also metaphorically describe spending money or making slow progress on a task in small increments.
  • Functions as a 'gitaigo' (mimetic word) and is generally neutral, though it can imply slowness in certain contexts.

The Japanese word ちびちび (Chibichibi) is a fascinating example of Japanese sound symbolism, specifically categorized as gitaigo (words that describe states or manners). At its core, it describes the action of doing something in very small, repeated increments, most commonly associated with drinking or eating. Imagine a person holding a small glass of high-quality sake and taking tiny, deliberate sips to savor every drop—that is the essence of chibichibi. The word is not merely about the quantity but about the tempo and the intention behind the action. It suggests a slow, lingering pace, often used when one wants to make a limited resource last longer or when the quality of the substance requires careful appreciation.

Etymological Nuance
The 'chi' sound in Japanese often carries a semantic weight related to smallness, as seen in words like chiisai (small) or chotto (a little). The reduplication—repeating the sound—indicates a rhythmic or continuous nature of the action.

In social settings, particularly at an izakaya (Japanese pub), you will hear this word used to describe a mature way of drinking. While younger crowds might engage in ikkinomi (chugging), a person drinking chibichibi is seen as someone who appreciates the flavor and the atmosphere. It is also used in financial contexts, though less frequently, to describe spending money in tiny amounts or paying off a debt bit by bit. The versatility of the word allows it to function as a pure adverb or with the particle 'to' (ちびちびと) to add a slight emphasis on the manner of the action.

彼は高いウイスキーをちびちびとやりながら、古いアルバムを眺めていた。

Translation: While sipping expensive whiskey little by little, he was looking at an old photo album.

Furthermore, chibichibi is distinct from chobichobi. While both mean 'little by little,' chobichobi often carries a nuance of being stingy or the amount being unsatisfactorily small. Chibichibi, however, is more neutral or even positive, focusing on the rhythmic enjoyment of the process. Whether you are nursing a cup of hot tea on a cold winter morning or making a small snack last through a long movie, chibichibi is the perfect word to capture that slow, steady consumption.

Common Verb Pairings
Commonly used with 飲む (nomu - to drink), 食べる (taberu - to eat), やる (yaru - to do/drink/smoke), and 使う (tsukau - to use/spend).

お小遣いをちびちび使って、一ヶ月をしのぐ。

Translation: I use my pocket money bit by bit to get through the month.

Using ちびちび correctly involves understanding its placement as an adverb. In Japanese grammar, adverbs typically precede the verb they modify. You can use it as a standalone adverb or attach the particle 'と' (to) to create a more descriptive or slightly more formal tone. For example, 'ちびちび飲む' and 'ちびちびと飲む' are both correct, with the latter emphasizing the 'manner' of the sipping more distinctly.

Sentence Structure
[Subject] + [Object] + [ちびちび(と)] + [Verb]. For example: 私はお茶をちびちび飲みます (I drink tea little by little).

One of the most frequent uses is in the context of alcohol. When someone says, '酒をちびちびやる' (Sake o chibichibi yaru), the verb 'yaru' (to do) is used colloquially to mean 'to drink' or 'to indulge in.' This phrasing is very common among older Japanese men or in literary descriptions of a quiet evening. It evokes an image of someone sitting alone or in a quiet bar, lost in thought, taking tiny sips from a small ceramic cup (ochoko).

熱いスープをちびちび飲んで、体を温めた。

Translation: I sipped the hot soup little by little to warm up my body.

Another context is the consumption of food, specifically snacks or delicacies. If you have a very expensive piece of chocolate, you wouldn't eat it in one bite. You would eat it chibichibi. This usage highlights the value of the object being consumed. It can also describe the slow consumption of something that is hard to finish, like a very spicy dish or a very rich dessert. In these cases, the adverb conveys the difficulty or the care taken during the process.

In metaphorical or extended uses, chibichibi applies to resources like time or money. '仕事をちびちび進める' (Shigoto o chibichibi susumeru) would mean making very slow, incremental progress on a task. While this can sometimes imply a lack of efficiency, it more often describes a meticulous or steady approach to a daunting project. It is the linguistic equivalent of 'chipping away' at something.

Negative Connotations
While usually neutral, if used by a boss toward an employee (e.g., 'ちびちびやるな！'), it can mean 'Stop dragging your feet!' or 'Don't be so slow and hesitant!'

借金をちびちび返していくのは大変だ。

Translation: It is hard to pay back a debt little by little.

The most iconic place to hear ちびちび is in the world of Japanese nightlife. If you visit a traditional Izakaya or a Snack Bar, you will often find patrons sitting at the counter, nursing a single glass of shochu or sake for an hour. The bartender might ask, 'ゆっくりちびちび飲みますか？' (Will you be sipping it slowly?). It is a word that belongs to the 'quiet night' aesthetic. It appears frequently in Japanese literature and manga (especially seinen manga aimed at adult men) to depict a character who is deep in thought, melancholic, or simply enjoying a moment of solitude.

Media Examples
In the famous manga 'Midnight Diner' (Shinya Shokudo), you'll often see characters eating small side dishes chibichibi while sharing their life stories with the Master.

You will also encounter this word in domestic settings. A parent might tell a child who is trying to drink a very hot cocoa, 'ちびちび飲みなさい' (Drink it little by little/sip it). In this context, it is a practical instruction for safety and comfort. Similarly, during a hot summer, you might hear health advice on TV suggesting that people drink water chibichibi throughout the day to prevent heatstroke, rather than drinking a large amount all at once. This highlights the 'regular, small intervals' aspect of the word.

「そんなにちびちび食べてないで、豪快にいきなよ！」

Translation: 'Don't eat so daintily little by little, just go for it!' (Said in a casual, friendly setting).

In the workplace, while less common than in social settings, it might be used to describe the slow release of information or the incremental implementation of a policy. For example, a company might release a new software update chibichibi to a small group of users first. This usage is more metaphorical but follows the same logic of 'small, controlled portions over time.' However, in a professional context, words like dandant (gradually) or shou-kizami (in small steps) are often preferred for their more formal ring.

Regional Variations
While chibichibi is standard Japanese, some dialects might use chobichobi more frequently, or variations like chibiri-chibiri in older literature.

老夫婦が縁側でお茶をちびちびと飲んでいる光景は微笑ましい。

Translation: The sight of an elderly couple sipping tea little by little on the veranda is heartwarming.

One of the most common mistakes learners make with ちびちび is using it for actions that don't involve consumption or incremental movement. Because 'chibi' means 'small' or 'short' in other contexts (like chibi-kyara for a small character), learners sometimes try to use chibichibi to describe the size of an object. For instance, you cannot say 'This is a chibichibi dog.' Instead, you would use chiisana or chicchai. Chibichibi is strictly an adverb of manner, not an adjective of size.

Mistake: Size vs. Manner
Incorrect: 彼はちびちびな男だ (He is a tiny man). Correct: 彼はちびちび飲む (He drinks little by little).

Another nuance to be careful with is the confusion between chibichibi and chobichobi. As mentioned earlier, chobichobi often carries a negative nuance of being 'stingy' or 'piddling.' If you are at a party and you tell someone they are drinking chobichobi, they might take it as an insult—that they are being cheap or aren't participating in the fun. Chibichibi is safer and more focused on the rhythmic, slow pace of the consumption.

× ビールをちびちび一気に飲んだ。

Explanation: This is a logical contradiction. 'Chibichibi' means slowly/little by little, while 'Ikki' means all at once/in one gulp.

Learners also sometimes confuse chibichibi with sori-sori or soro-soro. Soro-soro means 'slowly' or 'soon,' but it refers to the timing of an event or the physical movement of a person (like walking slowly). Chibichibi is specific to the incrementality of an action, usually consumption. You wouldn't say 'The train is moving chibichibi' unless the train was literally moving an inch, stopping, moving another inch, and so on—and even then, gikochi-nai (clunky) might be better.

Grammar Trap
Don't use 'ni' with chibichibi. It is an adverb that either takes no particle or takes 'to'. 'Chibichibi ni' is grammatically incorrect.

「給料をちびちび使う」

Note: Using it for money is correct, but ensure the verb is 'use' or 'spend', not just 'have'.

When looking for alternatives to ちびちび, it's important to match the specific nuance of 'little by little' you want to convey. Japanese has a rich vocabulary for incrementality. If you want to be more formal or academic, 少しずつ (Sukoshi-zutsu) is the most versatile and safe choice. It simply means 'a little at a time' and lacks the onomatopoeic flavor of chibichibi, making it suitable for any context, from medicine dosages to learning a language.

Comparison: Chibichibi vs. Sukoshi-zutsu
Chibichibi implies a rhythmic, repetitive action (like sips). Sukoshi-zutsu is a general term for any incremental change or amount.

Another similar word is ちょびちょび (Chobichobi). As previously mentioned, this is very close to chibichibi but often carries a slightly more negative or trivializing tone. It suggests that the amounts are almost annoyingly small. If someone is giving you information chobichobi, you might feel frustrated that they aren't telling you the whole story. Chibichibi, by contrast, feels more like a choice made by the person consuming.

ちびちび vs ごくごく

These are opposites. Chibichibi is sipping; Gokugoku is gulping/chugging down a drink with great gusto.

For the context of 'slowly but surely' in terms of progress, you might use 着々と (Chakuchaku to). While chibichibi can mean slow progress, chakuchaku implies that the progress is steady, reliable, and moving toward a goal. Chibichibi progress sounds more like you are barely making a dent. If you are drinking something over a long period, you could also use なめるように (Nameru you ni), which literally means 'as if licking.' This describes an extremely slow way of drinking, usually reserved for the most expensive or potent alcohols.

Other Related Words
ちびりちびり (Chibiri-chibiri): An older, slightly more literary version of chibichibi. It sounds more traditional.
ぽつぽつ (Potsupotsu): Used for things happening here and there, or a few people arriving at a time.

彼はちびちびと酒を楽しみ、私はごくごくと水を飲んだ。

Translation: He enjoyed his sake in small sips, while I gulped down my water.
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1

お茶をちびちび飲みます。

I drink tea little by little.

Simple adverbial use before the verb 'nomimasu'.

2

スープをちびちび飲みました。

I sipped the soup little by little.

Past tense 'nomimashita' used with the adverb.

3

ちびちび食べてください。

Please eat it little by little.

Imperative 'kudasai' with the adverb.

4

水がちびちび出ます。

Water comes out little by little.

Describes the manner of an inanimate object's movement.

5

彼はちびちび飲みました。

He drank (it) little by little.

Third-person subject.

6

薬をちびちび飲みますか？

Do you drink the medicine little by little?

Question form.

7

コーヒーをちびちび楽しみます。

I enjoy coffee little by little.

Using 'tanoshimimasu' (to enjoy) with the adverb.

8

アイスをちびちび食べます。

I eat ice cream little by little.

Direct object 'aisu' followed by the adverb.

1

熱いので、ちびちび飲んでください。

Because it's hot, please drink it little by little.

Using 'node' to give a reason for the 'chibichibi' action.

2

この高いチョコをちびちび食べます。

I will eat this expensive chocolate little by little.

Context of savoring something valuable.

3

毎日、お小遣いをちびちび使っています。

I am spending my pocket money little by little every day.

Using 'te-iru' to show a continuous habit.

4

猫がミルクをちびちび飲んでいる。

The cat is lapping up the milk little by little.

Applying the adverb to an animal's action.

5

ちびちびと飲むのが好きです。

I like drinking (it) little by little.

Using 'to' with the adverb and nominalizing the verb with 'no'.

6

お酒をちびちび飲みながら、話をしました。

We talked while sipping sake little by little.

Using 'nagara' to show simultaneous actions.

7

彼はちびちびとしか食べません。

He only eats a tiny bit at a time.

Using 'shika...nai' to emphasize the smallness.

8

お茶をちびちび飲んで、休みましょう。

Let's sip some tea and take a break.

Using the 'te-form' to connect actions.

1

彼は一晩中、一杯のワインをちびちびやっていた。

He was nursing a single glass of wine all night long.

Colloquial use of 'yaru' to mean 'to drink'.

2

借金をちびちびと返済していく。

To pay back a debt bit by bit.

Financial context; 'to' adds emphasis to the manner.

3

そんなにちびちび食べていたら、日が暮れちゃうよ。

If you eat so slowly like that, the sun will go down (it'll take forever).

Conditional 'tara' and the casual 'chau' ending.

4

高級な日本酒は、ちびちび飲むのが一番美味しい。

Expensive sake is best enjoyed by sipping it little by little.

Expressing an opinion on the 'best' way to do something.

5

情報をちびちび小出しにするのはやめてください。

Please stop doling out information bit by bit.

Metaphorical use with 'kodashi' (releasing in small amounts).

6

雨がちびちびと降り続いて、気分が晴れない。

The rain keeps drizzling bit by bit, and I feel gloomy.

Describing a continuous, light weather phenomenon.

7

貯金をちびちび切り崩して生活している。

I'm living by gradually eating into my savings.

Using 'kirikuzusu' (to dip into/break down) with the adverb.

8

彼はちびちびとしか酒を飲めない体質だ。

He has a constitution that only allows him to sip alcohol slowly.

Describing a physical limitation or trait.

1

老人は縁側に座り、茶をちびちびと啜っていた。

The old man sat on the veranda, sipping his tea little by little.

Literary verb 'susuru' (to sip/slurp) paired with the adverb.

2

不景気なので、客はビール一杯でちびちび粘っている。

Because of the recession, customers are lingering over a single beer for a long time.

Using 'nebaru' (to persist/linger) to describe the situation.

3

彼は慎重な性格で、何事もちびちびとしか進めない。

He has a cautious personality and only moves forward with things bit by bit.

Describing a personality trait through action.

4

この珍味は、ちびちびつまみながら酒を飲むのに最適だ。

This delicacy is perfect for snacking on bit by bit while drinking.

Using 'tsumamu' (to snack/pick up with fingers) with the adverb.

5

ダムの水をちびちび放流して、水位を調節する。

The dam water is released bit by bit to adjust the water level.

Technical/functional context for the adverb.

6

彼は給料が出ると、借金をちびちび返して回った。

When he got paid, he went around paying back his debts bit by bit.

Showing a repetitive action across different locations.

7

冬の夜、暖炉の前でココアをちびちびやるのは至福の時だ。

Sipping cocoa in front of the fireplace on a winter night is a moment of bliss.

Setting a specific mood or atmosphere.

8

一度に教えると混乱するから、ちびちび教えていこう。

If I teach everything at once they'll get confused, so let's teach it bit by bit.

Educational strategy context.

1

名残惜しそうに、彼は最後の一滴をちびちびと飲み干した。

As if reluctant to say goodbye, he slowly sipped the very last drop.

Using 'nomihosu' (to drink up) with 'chibichibi' to show reluctance.

2

その作家は、推敲を重ねながらちびちびと筆を進めた。

The author moved his pen bit by bit, layering revisions as he went.

Metaphorical use of 'fude o susumeru' (to write/advance the pen).

3

政府は国民の反発を恐れ、増税をちびちびと実施している。

Fearing public backlash, the government is implementing tax hikes bit by bit.

Political/societal context for incremental action.

4

彼は孤独をちびちびと噛みしめるように、夜の街を歩いた。

He walked through the night streets as if savoring his loneliness bit by bit.

Abstract use with 'kamishimeru' (to chew/savor/reflect on).

5

旧友との再会を祝し、とっておきの古酒をちびちびと酌み交わした。

To celebrate reuniting with an old friend, they shared a special aged sake, sipping it bit by bit.

Using 'kumikawasu' (to pour for each other/drink together).

6

彼は自分の秘密を、信頼できる友人にだけちびちびと打ち明けた。

He revealed his secrets bit by bit only to his most trusted friend.

Metaphorical use with 'uchiakeru' (to reveal/confide).

7

氷が溶けるのを待ちながら、ウィスキーをちびちびやるのが彼の流儀だ。

It was his style to sip whiskey bit by bit while waiting for the ice to melt.

Describing a specific personal philosophy or 'style' (ryuugi).

8

その老舗旅館は、伝統をちびちびと守り続けてきた。

That long-established inn has continued to preserve its traditions bit by bit (meticulously).

Abstract use to describe preservation over time.

1

人生の辛酸をちびちびとなめるような、苦い経験だった。

It was a bitter experience, like licking the hardships of life bit by bit.

Highly metaphorical use with 'shinsan o nameru' (to taste the bitters of life).

2

彼は枯渇しそうな才能をちびちびと絞り出すようにして、最後の一作を書き上げた。

He finished his final work as if squeezing out the last bits of his nearly exhausted talent.

Metaphorical use with 'shiboridasu' (to squeeze out).

3

静寂の中に、時計の刻む音がちびちびと響いている気がした。

In the silence, I felt as if the ticking of the clock was echoing bit by bit.

Synesthetic or psychological use to describe sound perception.

4

その独裁者は、民衆の自由をちびちびと、しかし確実に奪い去っていった。

The dictator stripped away the people's freedom bit by bit, but surely.

Describing a calculated, incremental political erosion.

5

彼は、過ぎ去った日々の追憶をちびちびと反芻しながら、余生を過ごしている。

He spends his remaining years ruminating on the memories of days gone by bit by bit.

Metaphorical use with 'hansuu suru' (to ruminate/chew the cud).

6

宇宙の膨大な時間を思えば、人間の歴史などちびちびとした瞬きの重なりに過ぎない。

Considering the vast time of the universe, human history is nothing more than a series of tiny blinks.

Philosophical use comparing human time to cosmic time.

7

彼は自尊心をちびちびと削られるような屈辱に耐え忍んだ。

He endured humiliations that seemed to shave away his self-esteem bit by bit.

Metaphorical use with 'kezurareru' (to be shaved/eroded).

8

その名匠は、漆をちびちびと塗り重ね、深みのある色艶を生み出した。

The master craftsman applied layers of lacquer bit by bit, creating a deep, lustrous finish.

Describing a meticulous artistic process.

تلازمات شائعة

ちびちび飲む
ちびちび食べる
ちびちび使う
ちびちびやる
ちびちび返す
ちびちび進める
ちびちび啜る
ちびちび小出しにする
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