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This site will be taken down March 31st, 2026.

This was not an easy decision to make. For the last couple years, I have been struggling to find motivation for this site and to keep up with basic maintenance and security updates. With the rise of AI and more sophisticated tools, the usefulness of sites like this is questionable and traffic has nose-dived. I just don't have it in me to keep doing this. Thank you all for 10 years of support!

Zach

ぼんぼん

Reading

Kana: ぼんぼん
Romaji: bonbon
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

adv
adv-to
1

fiercely (e.g. of a fire burning)

2

bong-bong (of clock ringing)

3

with repeated bangs (e.g. of fire cracker)

noun
4

striking clock

Note: abbreviation
See also: ぼんぼん時計
5

green young man from a well-to-do family

(Kansai-ben)

Example Sentence

火(ひ)がぼんぼん燃(も)えている。
➥The fire is burning furiously.
Full Entry➤

ボンボン

Reading

Kana: ボンボン
Romaji: bonbon
Kana
Romaji

Definition

noun
1

bonbon

ポンポン

Readings

Kana: ポンポン、ぽんぽん
Romaji: ponpon, ponpon
Kana
Romaji

Definitions

noun
1

pompon; pompons; bobbles

2

tummy; tumtum

Note: children's language
adv
adv-to
3

bang-bang; pop-pop; tap-tap

Note: onomatopoeic or mimetic word
4

without reservation; unreservedly; snappishly; outspokenly

凡々

凡凡

Reading

Kana: ぼんぼん
Romaji: bonbon
Kana
Romaji

Definition

adj-t
adv-to
1

ordinary; usual

Kanji

凡
Readings: ボン、 ハン、 およ.そ、 おうよ.そ、 すべ.て
Meanings: commonplace, ordinary, mediocre

Example Sentences

彼(かれ)ほど平々凡々(へいへいぼんぼん)たる主人公(しゅじんこう)は珍(めずら)しい。
➥A protagonist as plain and ordinary as him is rare indeed.
Full Entry➤
さまざまな才能(さいのう)に恵(めぐ)まれて、なんでもそつなくこなす姉(あね)にとって、平々凡々(へいへいぼんぼん)たる俺(おれ)の存在(そんざい)はひどく許(ゆる)せないものらしい。
➥For my multi-talented sister, able do anything with ease, it seems that my commonplace self is something whose existence she finds very hard to forgive.
Full Entry➤
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