Entry
ごにょごにょ
gonyogonyo
The sound or manner of speaking unclearly, mumbling, or muttering so it is hard to understand.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes the sound of people speaking in a low or muffled voice. It is often used when someone hesitates to speak, tries to evade a question, or whispers secretly with someone else.
- Mumbling due to hesitation or evasiveness
- Whispering or murmuring secretly
Sense Map
Hesitating or Evading
Used when someone mumbles because they don't want to answer clearly, feel hesitant, or are trying to hide something.
ごにょごにょと言葉を濁す
Whispering Secretly
Describes the sound of people talking quietly or whispering to each other so people around them cannot hear.
隅でごにょごにょと相談する
Usage Note
How to Use
ごにょごにょ(と)言う
Used with the verb 'to say' (言う) to express the action of saying something unclearly.
ごにょごにょ(と)話す
Used with the verb 'to speak' (話す) to describe a conversation that sounds like mumbling.
ごにょごにょする
A direct verb form referring to the act of mumbling or whispering.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ごにょごにょ言う
to say something unclearly
ごにょごにょ話す
to speak mumblingly
ごにょごにょとごまかす
to mumble and evade
何かごにょごにょしている
whispering about something
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When asked a difficult or embarrassing question | negative | Indicates the person is reluctant to answer and intentionally makes their voice unclear. |
| Two people whispering in a public place | neutral | Indicates a secret conversation they don't want others to hear. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
むにゃむにゃ むにゃむにゃ / similar | Used when people speak unclearly because they are sleepy or talking in their sleep. | Lacks the element of intentional evasion or hesitation found in ごにょごにょ. | 寝言をむにゃむにゃ言う |
もごもご もごもご / similar | Used when the voice is unclear because there is food in the mouth or the mouth isn't opened wide. | Focuses on a physical obstruction in the mouth rather than hesitation or secrets. | 口の中に食べ物を入れてもごもご言う |
ぶつぶつ ぶつぶつ / contrast | Used when someone complains, grumbles, or mutters to themselves out of dissatisfaction. | Contains a nuance of complaint and dissatisfaction, not just unclear speech or whispering. | 不満をぶつぶつ言う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'ごにょごにょ' to describe the sound of someone eating.
Use 'もごもご' if the voice is unclear due to chewing food.
Using 'ごにょごにょ' for someone who is continuously complaining in a low voice.
Use 'ぶつぶつ' for complaints or grumbling to oneself.
Examples
Examples
彼は言い訳をごにょごにょと言った。
かれ は いいわけ を ごにょごにょ と いった。
He mumbled an excuse.
LiteralShows someone speaking unclearly while making excuses.
何をごにょごにょ言っているの？はっきり言いなさい。
なに を ごにょごにょ いって いる の？ はっきり いい なさい。
What are you mumbling? Speak clearly.
LiteralA common phrase used to scold someone for speaking unclearly.
二人は部屋の隅でごにょごにょと話している。
ふたり は へや の すみ で ごにょごにょ と はなして いる。
The two of them are whispering to each other in the corner of the room.
LiteralDescribes people talking secretly so others cannot hear.
痛いところを突かれて、彼はごにょごにょとごまかした。
いたい ところ を つかれて、 かれ は ごにょごにょ と ごまかした。
Struck by a pointed remark, he mumbled to cover it up.
FigurativeShows the intentional act of slurring one's words to avoid answering truthfully.
会議中、後ろの席でごにょごにょするのをやめてください。
かいぎちゅう、 うしろ の せき で ごにょごにょ する の を やめて ください。
Please stop whispering in the back seats during the meeting.
LiteralAn example using it as a direct verb to stop a secretive conversation.
Similar Words
もごもご
mogomogo
Used for unclear speech caused by food in the mouth.
むにゃむにゃ
munyamunya
Describes the sound of mumbling or speaking incomprehensibly, typically heard when someone is sleep talking or making weak excuses. Used when mumbling due to being sleepy or talking in one's sleep.
もぐもぐ
mogumogu
もぐもぐ describes a continuous, muffled movement, such as chewing food with the mouth closed or speaking unclearly.
ぶつぶつ
butsubutsu
Butsubutsu describes the low sound of someone grumbling, the appearance of a skin rash or pimples, the gentle bubbling of simmering liquid, or the act of chopping something into pieces. Used for complaining or grumbling to oneself.
Questions
Does ごにょごにょ have a negative nuance?
Often yes, especially when used when someone should speak clearly but evades doing so. However, it can be neutral when referring to people simply whispering.
Can I use ごにょごにょ for people talking in their sleep?
It's not the best fit. For people mumbling in their sleep due to drowsiness, むにゃむにゃ is more natural.
What is the difference with ぶつぶつ?
ぶつぶつ focuses more on complaining or grumbling to oneself in a low voice, while ごにょごにょ focuses on the lack of clarity due to hesitation or evasiveness.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2074830
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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