Entry
ゲフンゲフン
gefungefun
ゲフンゲフン is an exaggerated fake cough used to say "ahem," interrupt politely, or express awkwardness and hidden disagreement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the sound of a deliberate, unnatural cough. It is used as an interjection to clear one's throat to get attention, interrupt a conversation, or react to an awkward statement. In internet slang and casual speech, it often signals sarcasm, covering up a secret, or implying "I disagree, but I won't say it directly."
- Clearing your throat to interrupt (Ahem)
- Exaggerated fake cough to hide awkwardness or show sarcasm
Sense Map
Drawing Attention (Ahem)
Clearing your throat to draw attention or interrupt someone politely.
ゲフンゲフンと咳払いをする。
Hiding Awkwardness & Sarcasm
A fake, exaggerated cough to cover up an awkward statement, hide a secret, or show polite disagreement.
ゲフンゲフン、それは言わない約束だ。
Usage Note
How to Use
ゲフンゲフンと
Combined with quotation or adverbial particle "to", meaning "with an 'ahem'."
（ゲフンゲフン）
Placed in parentheses at the end of a sentence in text, acting as an emotional tag to show the writer is jokingly coughing to cover up what they just wrote.
ゲフンゲフンと言う
Meaning "to say 'ahem'," explicitly describing the act of letting out a fake cough.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ゲフンゲフンと咳払いをする
to clear one's throat with an ahem
わざとらしくゲフンゲフンと言う
to say ahem exaggeratedly
ゲフンゲフンと誤魔化す
to cover up with a fake cough
ゲフンゲフン、失礼
Ahem, excuse me
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Interrupting someone | neutral | Used like "ahem" to gently but firmly stop someone from speaking further. |
| Online slang and Otaku culture | playful | Often written in brackets like （ゲフンゲフン） to show the writer is intentionally covering up a spicy or awkward truth they just blurted out. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごほごほ ごほごほ / contrast | When describing an actual, deep, or wet cough due to a cold or sickness. | ゲフンゲフン is a fake or deliberate social cough. | 風邪でゴホゴホ咳き込む。 |
こんこん こんこん / contrast | A light, dry cough, or the sound of knocking. | ゲフンゲフン is heavier and often specifically implies an intentional "ahem" or sarcastic cover-up. | 軽くコンコンと咳をする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a serious illness or severe medical coughing.
Use ゴホゴホ for a bad cold. ゲフンゲフン is mostly for fake, social, or dramatic coughs.
Thinking it is an everyday, polite word for "excuse me" in formal business.
It is very casual or somewhat dramatic/comedic; in business, just use a quiet natural throat-clear without verbalizing this onomatopoeia.
Examples
Examples
会議中、彼がゲフンゲフンとわざとらしく咳払いをした。
かいぎちゅう、かれがゲフンゲフンとわざとらしくせきばらいをした。
In the middle of the meeting, he cleared his throat with an exaggerated "ahem."
LiteralUsing a fake cough to draw attention in a meeting.
ゲフンゲフン、今のは聞かなかったことにしてくれ。
ゲフンゲフン、いまのはきかなかったことにしてくれ。
Ahem, just pretend you didn't hear that.
LiteralSaid to cover up a slip of the tongue.
「彼って完璧な上司ですよね」「…ゲフンゲフン」
「かれってかんぺきなじょうしですよね」「…ゲフンゲフン」
"He's a perfect boss, right?" "...Ahem."
FigurativeA fake cough signaling disagreement or sarcasm without saying it directly.
気まずい沈黙が流れ、誰かがゲフンゲフンと小さく咳をした。
きまずいちんもくがながれ、だれかがゲフンゲフンとちいさくせきをした。
An awkward silence fell, and someone let out a small "ahem."
LiteralA classic reaction to an awkward situation.
そのゲームには大金をつぎ込みました（ゲフンゲフン）。
そのゲームにはたいきんをつぎこみました（ゲフンゲフン）。
I spent a lot of money on that game (ahem).
VisualUsed in internet text to pretend to hide something embarrassing.
Similar Words
コンコン
konkon
A light repeated sound such as knocking on a door, a dry cough, or a fox's yelp. A light, dry cough, or a knocking sound.
ゴホゴホ
gohogoho
A mimetic word representing the sound of a cough, ranging from a heavy, deep cough (gohogoho) to a light, dry cough (kohokoho). Used for real, heavy coughing, not an intentional fake cough.
げほげほ
gehogeho
Represents the sound or action of a heavy, wet, or phlegmy cough.
Questions
Can I say ゲフンゲフン when I have a real cold?
Generally no. Real coughs are usually expressed as ゴホゴホ (heavy) or コンコン (light).
Why do people type it in parentheses like (ゲフンゲフン)?
It's text-based body language for "ahem" or "cough cough," usually meant to show sarcasm, pretend innocence, or gloss over an inappropriate joke.
Is it rude to say ゲフンゲフン to a boss?
Saying it aloud as a joke to a strict boss might be too casual. It's best used among friends or online.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2840241
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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