Entry
ちょいちょい
choichoi
A casual word meaning something happens quite often or is done easily and effortlessly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ちょいちょい is used to describe an event that happens with casual frequency (now and then, frequently), or an action that is performed lightly, quickly, and without much effort.
- Often or now and then
- Easily or effortlessly
Sense Map
Frequency (Often / Now and then)
Indicates that something happens quite often or repeatedly in a relaxed context.
ちょいちょい遊びに来る。
Manner (Easily / Effortlessly)
Indicates that an action is completed smoothly, lightly, and without much effort.
ちょいちょいと片付ける。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちょいちょい + verb
Used as an adverb to show that an action happens often or frequently.
ちょいちょいと + verb
Adding the particle と is common when describing an action done lightly and easily.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちょいちょい来る
comes often
ちょいちょい休む
takes days off now and then
ちょいちょいと直す
fixes easily
ちょいちょいと終わらせる
finishes effortlessly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Talking about casual habits | neutral | Gives a laid-back impression that the action is done casually, often used when chatting with friends. |
| Completing a task | positive | Implies that the task is simple and requires little physical or mental exertion. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちょこちょこ ちょこちょこ / similar | Use when describing small, repeated actions or quick movements with short steps. | ちょこちょこ emphasizes small physical movements or doing things little by little, while ちょいちょい focuses on casual frequency or doing something effortlessly. | ちょこちょこ歩く。 |
しばしば しばしば / similar | Use to state that something happens frequently in formal writing or reports. | しばしば is very formal, whereas ちょいちょい is highly casual and mainly used in daily conversation. | しばしば問題が起きる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ちょいちょい in official reports or important business meetings.
ちょいちょい is a casual colloquialism. Use more formal alternatives like しばしば or よく in professional or formal settings.
Assuming ちょいちょい just means a little bit because it sounds like ちょっと.
While they sound similar, ちょいちょい means frequently/often or effortlessly, not a small amount.
Examples
Examples
彼は私の家にちょいちょい遊びに来る。
彼(かれ)は私(わたし)の家(いえ)にちょいちょい遊(あそ)びに来(く)る。
He comes over to my house to hang out quite often.
LiteralUsed to indicate that something happens often in a casual context.
その店にはちょいちょい行きます。
その店(みせ)にはちょいちょい行(い)きます。
I go to that store now and then.
LiteralIndicates a moderate but regular frequency.
彼女は難しい問題をちょいちょいと解いてしまった。
彼女(かのじょ)は難(むずか)しい問題(もんだい)をちょいちょいと解(と)いてしまった。
She solved the difficult problem effortlessly.
FigurativeThe particle と is added to describe an action done very easily.
ペンでちょいちょいとメモを書いた。
ペンでちょいちょいとメモを書(か)いた。
I quickly and lightly jotted down a memo with a pen.
VisualDescribes a light and quick hand movement.
仕事中にミスをちょいちょいしてしまう。
仕事中(しごとちゅう)にミスをちょいちょいしてしまう。
I occasionally make mistakes while working.
LiteralCan be used for unwanted things that happen repeatedly.
Similar Words
ちょこちょこ
chokochoko
Describes moving with small, quick steps like a toddler, or doing something frequently in small amounts. Indicates small, repeated actions.
しばしば
shibashiba
Describes the action of blinking one's eyes repeatedly due to fatigue, dryness, or stinging. Formal word for often.
Questions
Is ちょいちょい the same as ちょっと?
No. ちょっと means a little (quantity/time), whereas ちょいちょい means often/now and then or easily.
Can I use ちょいちょい with my boss?
It is best to avoid it. It is very casual, so you should use polite alternatives like よく or たびたび when speaking to superiors.
Can ちょいちょい be used in formal writing?
It is best to avoid it. This is a very casual spoken word. For formal writing, use words like しばしば or 頻繁に.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007780
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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