Entry
ぎこぎこ
gikogiko
A rough, rhythmic squeaking or sawing sound, like a rusty hinge or sawing wood.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a heavy, harsh, and repetitive sound caused by the friction of two hard surfaces rubbing together. It evokes images of stiff joints, rusty unlubricated machinery, or the laborious sound of sawing wood.
- Harsh, repetitive sawing sound
- Heavy creaking of rusty hinges or machinery
- Stiff, creaking movement
Sense Map
Sawing & Friction Sound
Used for the rhythmic, harsh sound of two surfaces scraping against each other, such as sawing through wood.
木をぎこぎこ切る
Rusty Creaking Sound
Used for the creaking or squeaking sounds made by stiff joints, rusty hinges, or unlubricated pedals.
ペダルをぎこぎこ漕ぐ
Stiff Movement
Describes something moving stiffly and unnaturally, often accompanied by a creaking noise.
ロボットがぎこぎこ動く
Usage Note
How to Use
ぎこぎこ鳴る
ぎこぎこ音を立てる
ぎこぎこ切る
ぎこぎこ動く
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぎこぎこ鳴る
to make a rough creaking sound
ぎこぎこ音を立てる
to produce a harsh squeaking noise
ぎこぎこ切る
to saw (cut with a sawing motion)
ぎこぎこ動く
to move stiffly (and noisily)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sawing | neutral | Emphasizes the laborious back-and-forth motion and the physical resistance of the wood. |
| Machines & Joints | negative | Often implies that the object is old, poorly maintained, rusty, or lacks oil. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きこきこ きこきこ / contrast | For lighter, less resistant squeaking or pedaling sounds. | ぎこぎこ sounds heavier, duller, and implies more friction or resistance. | 自転車をキコキコ漕ぐ |
ぎしぎし ぎしぎし / similar | For structural creaking under heavy pressure or load, like a wooden floor or bed. | ぎこぎこ is more about the repetitive friction or sawing sound. | 床がギシギシ鳴る |
ぎーぎー ぎーぎー / similar | For sharp, continuous, scraping or squeaking sounds like a rusty door hinge. | ぎこぎこ has a more rhythmic, back-and-forth sawing feel. | ドアがギーギー鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぎこぎこ for a high-pitched, piercing squeak.
Use キーキー (kiikii) for high-pitched shrieks or screeches. ぎこぎこ is for heavy, duller creaks.
Using it for socially awkward situations.
Use ぎくしゃく (gikushaku) for awkward relationships or stilted conversations. ぎこぎこ is primarily for physical friction.
Examples
Examples
ノコギリで木をぎこぎこと切る。
ノコギリで木（き）をぎこぎこと切（き）る。
Sawing wood with a harsh rhythmic sound.
LiteralUsed for the distinct rhythmic sound of a saw cutting through wood.
古いドアがぎこぎこと音を立てて開いた。
古（ふる）いドアがぎこぎこと音（おと）を立（た）てて開（ひら）いた。
The old door opened with a rough creaking sound.
LiteralIndicates a rusty or unlubricated door hinge.
膝の関節がぎこぎこ鳴る。
膝（ひざ）の関節（かんせつ）がぎこぎこ鳴（な）る。
My knee joints make a harsh creaking sound.
LiteralDescribes joints that feel stiff and make noise when moving.
ロボットがぎこぎこ動く。
ロボットがぎこぎこ動（うご）く。
The robot moves stiffly with a creaking sound.
VisualFocuses on stiff, jerky movement, often accompanied by mechanical sounds.
自転車のペダルをぎこぎこ漕ぐ。
自転車（じてんしゃ）のペダルをぎこぎこ漕（こ）ぐ。
Pedaling the bicycle with a heavy, creaking sound.
LiteralShows that the bicycle pedals are heavy and possibly rusty.
Similar Words
キコキコ
kikokiko
Used for lighter friction sounds.
ギシギシ
gishigishi
ギシギシ (gishigishi) describes a harsh creaking or squeaking sound from friction, or the state of being densely packed and pressured. Creaking due to heavy pressure or load.
ギーギー
giigii
A heavy, harsh creaking or grating sound caused by friction, like rusty hinges or old wooden boards. Sharp, continuous squeaking (e.g., old hinges).
Questions
Can I use ぎこぎこ for a high-pitched squeak?
No, it represents a heavier, duller creaking sound. Use kiikii (キーキー) or kikokiko (キコキコ) for lighter or higher-pitched squeaks.
Is ぎこぎこ only used to describe sounds?
It primarily describes the sound, but by extension, it can also describe the stiff, unlubricated movement that typically causes such a sound.
What is the difference between ぎこぎこ and キコキコ?
ぎこぎこ implies more resistance, weight, and a duller sound, whereas キコキコ describes a lighter sound with less effort involved.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2522930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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