1An onomatopoeia for crackling, sparking, or popping sounds — e.g., fire, fireworks, or static electricity; expresses the sense of something crackling or fizzing.
焚き火がバチバチとはぜて温かい匂いがした。
The campfire crackled (bachibachi), giving off a warm smell.
冬の乾燥で服がバチバチと静電気を起こす。
In the winter dryness, clothes cause static shocks (bachibachi).
花火が夜空でバチバチと弾けた。
Fireworks popped and crackled in the night sky.
2A mimetic word for people clashing or fighting — used colloquially to describe intense rivalry, arguments, or someone 'going at' another (バチバチやる).
彼らは会議中に意見がぶつかってバチバチしていた。
Their opinions clashed in the meeting and things were tense (bachibachi).
アイドル同士がバチバチのライバル関係にあるとファンの間で話題だ。
Fans are talking about how the idols are in a bachibachi rival relationship.
試合では選手同士がバチバチやり合って見応えがあった。
In the match the players went at each other hard (bachibachi), and it was exciting to watch.