擬態語 IV

外そとに出でたくてうずうずしている。

He is itching to get outside.

Usage Used with する. The sound is of an itch under the skin: impatient to act. It often pairs with 〜たくて.

Remember it うずうず → the itch that will not let you sit still.

面接めんせつでおどおどしてしまった。

I went all nervous in the interview.

Usage Used with する. From the same root as 怯える: timid, eyes darting. Unlike おずおず, this is sustained anxiety plainly on show.

Remember it 怯える (be frightened) doubled → the fear showing in every movement.

結果けっかを見みてがっくりした。

I was crushed when I saw the result.

Usage Used with する or と. The がっ is a sudden collapse: disappointment that takes the strength out of you. がっくり肩を落とす is to slump.

Remember it がっくり → the knees and the shoulders going at once.

契約けいやくをがっちり固かためた。

They nailed the contract down firmly.

Usage Used directly with a verb. The solid がっ means thoroughly and with no gaps. Also がっちりした体格, a powerful build.

Remember it がっちり → gripped tight, with nothing left loose.

何なにのことか分わからずきょとんとしていた。

Not knowing what it was about, he looked blank.

Usage Used with と and する. The sound suggests wide round eyes: dumbfounded, taking none of it in. Used only of facial expression.

Remember it きょとん → the eyes open and nothing behind them yet.

ぐずぐずしていると遅おくれるよ。

Dawdle and you will be late.

Usage Used with する. Two senses: dawdling, and grumbling on and on. The heavy ぐず is the same root as ぐずる, a child whining.

Remember it ぐずぐず → nothing moving, and a complaint underneath it.

こそこそと何なにか話はなしている。

They are whispering about something furtively.

Usage Used with と. The soft こそ is deliberately quiet: sneaking, hiding something. Always critical. Opposite: 堂々と.

Remember it こそこそ → moving so as not to be heard.

社内しゃないのごたごたが続つづいている。

The trouble inside the company is still going on.

Usage Both a noun and used with する. The heavy ごた is disorder: internal upheaval, a mess. ごたごたする is to be in confusion.

Remember it ごたごた → everything piled in with no order to it.

新あたらしい職場しょくばにまだしっくりこない。

I still do not feel quite settled in the new workplace.

Usage Usually negative: しっくりこない, not quite sitting right. It goes with くる. The sound is of two things seating neatly together.

Remember it しっくり → the fit where the two faces meet without a gap.

今いまさらじたばたしても仕方しかたがない。

There is no use struggling now.

Usage Used with する. The sound is of limbs thrashing: struggling to no purpose. It often pairs with 〜しても仕方がない.

Remember it じたばた → arms and legs going, and nothing moving.

酒さけをすっぱりやめた。

I gave up drink for good.

Usage Used directly with a verb. The crisp すっ is one clean cut: decisively, with no regrets. Partners: やめる, 諦める.

Remember it すっぱり → cut through in one, with no ragged edge left.

彼かれはちょくちょく顔かおを出だしている。

He drops in fairly often.

Usage Used directly with a verb. Colloquial, more frequent than ときおり. Close to しばしば but far more everyday.

Remember it ちょくちょく → turning up again, and then again.

つべこべ言いわずにやりなさい。

Do it and never mind the arguing.

Usage It survives almost only in つべこべ言わずに, 'no back-chat'. It always goes with 言う. Colloquial, and an order.

Remember it つべこべ → the stream of objections you are being told to stop.

観客かんきゃくがどやどやと入はいってきた。

The audience came piling noisily in.

Usage Used with と. The heavy どや is many feet at once: a crowd pouring in together. Used only of groups.

Remember it どやどや → a dozen pairs of feet through the door at the same moment.

一人ひとりだけぬくぬくと暮くらしている。

He alone is living in comfort.

Usage Used with と. Two senses: snug and warm; and living easy while others struggle — the second is critical.

Remember it ぬくい (warm) doubled → tucked up warm, perhaps while others are out in the cold.

のらりくらりと質問しつもんをかわしている。

He is fending the questions off evasively.

Usage Used with と. The sound is of something too slippery to hold: dodging without ever answering. Partners: かわす, 逃げる.

Remember it のらりくらり → nothing to take hold of, however you reach for it.

危機ききがひたひたと迫せまっている。

The crisis is creeping steadily closer.

Usage Used with と. The sound is of water rising quietly: advancing slowly, surely and irresistibly. Its usual partner is 迫る.

Remember it ひたひた → the water at your ankles before you noticed it rising.

連絡れんらくがぷっつり途絶とだえた。

Contact broke off abruptly.

Usage Used directly with a verb. The ぷっ is a cord snapping: cut off suddenly and completely. Partners: 途絶える, 切れる.

Remember it ぷっつり → the line parting, and nothing on the other end.

そろそろぼつぼつ始はじめましょうか。

Shall we make a start, then?

Usage Two senses: gradually beginning; and scattered here and there. Also written ぽつぽつ. Colloquial and friendly.

Remember it ぼつぼつ → a few at a time, whether things appearing or a start being made.

会場かいじょうは熱気ねっきでむんむんしていた。

The hall was stifling with the heat of the crowd.

Usage Used with する. The thick むん is air you can feel: stifling with heat, with bodies or with a strong smell.

Remember it むんむん → air too thick to draw properly.

返事へんじが来こなくてやきもきした。

No reply came and I fretted.

Usage Used with する. The やき is your insides being grilled: anxious impatience. Common while waiting for news.

Remember it 焼き (grilling) → the feeling of being roasted from the inside while you wait.

彼かれはそそくさと席せきを立たった。

He got up from his seat hurriedly.

Usage Used with と. The sound is of quick, curt movement: getting it over with and leaving at once. It implies a want of courtesy.

Remember it そそくさ → out of the chair and through the door before anyone can speak.