KOTOWAZA.JEPANG.ORG

Proverb / Kotowaza

暴飲暴食

ReadingぼういんぼうしょくRomajibou in boushoku

Excessive or immoderate drinking and eating.

Violent drinking and violent eating

Quick Answer

Excessive or immoderate drinking and eating.

Literal Image
Violent drinking and violent eating
How to Use It
Used to describe binging on food or alcohol, as a result of stress or during holiday periods.

Meaning

This expression describes the act of consuming alcohol or food in extreme quantities that exceed one's limits. It highlights a lack of restraint and moderation in consumption. It is used to refer to unhealthy indulgence, particularly during festive seasons or in response to stress.

Literal Image

Violent drinking and violent eating

How to Use It

Used to describe binging on food or alcohol, as a result of stress or during holiday periods.

Tone

This term is cautionary and can be used to criticize a lack of self-control regarding health.

Examples

01

ストレスが溜まって、つい暴飲暴食をしてしまった。

Stress built up, and I ended up overeating and overdrinking.

02

年末年始は暴飲暴食になりがちなので、胃腸の管理が必要だ。

Since people tend to overindulge during the New Year holidays, it is necessary to look after your stomach and intestines.

03

暴飲暴食を続けていると、生活習慣病のリスクが高まる。

Continuing to overeat and overdrink increases the risk of lifestyle diseases.

Learning Notes

Key Vocabulary

Estimated LevelN2Confidence: High
Estimate, not an official JLPT list

The kanji are relatively simple, but as a four-character compound, it is less familiar to beginner learners.

ぼう / bou

excessive; violent

いん / in

drinking

しょく / shoku

eating

Usage Profile

NeutralCautionaryCriticalThis proverb is yojijukugo.?Yojijukugo is a Japanese four-kanji expression that works as one fixed phrase.

Usage note: It implies a lack of restraint that is negative for health, rather than just enjoying a large meal.

Misread Risk

Do not use this to simply mean 'having a big appetite'; it specifically refers to an unhealthy or reckless lack of moderation.

Search As

暴飲暴食ぼういんぼうしょくbouinboushokubou in boushokubou-in-boushoku

Kanji in This Proverb

Related Proverbs

Similar鯨飲馬食
Similar大食漢

Origin

The term is derived from its constituent kanji characters. 'Bou' (暴) signifies something rough, violent, or excessive. Combined with 'in' (飲) for drinking and 'shoku' (食) for eating, the phrase literally describes the act of consuming food and drink without moderation.

Index

Topics, Situations, and Tags

01

Topics

Moderation and BalanceLife and Health
02

Situations

Warn SomeoneGive Life AdviceRecommend Restraint
03

Tags

⚔️Life & General Wisdom⚠️Warnings & Caution🍡Food & Cuisine

Source Note

Where did this entry get its data from? The reference links are listed below. To understand how to read this section, see Data Sources.

Published
2025-12-31
Updated
2026-05-08
Source 1: tomomi965.comKanji Vocabulary: Kanji.Jepang.orgAbout Data SourcesReport a Correction

Share

XFacebookWhatsAppTelegramLine