Entry
ごそごそ
gosogoso
Gosogoso is an onomatopoeia for a dry, continuous rustling sound, typically made when someone is rummaging through a pocket, bag, or dry leaves.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
It describes the friction sound of dry materials like paper, cloth, or dead leaves rubbing together. It is most commonly used to depict the physical action of searching blindly inside a confined space, or the stealthy movement of a small animal through underbrush.
- sound of rummaging or searching
- dry rustling noise
Sense Map
Rummaging and Searching
The sound made when a hand is digging around inside a bag, pocket, or drawer to find something.
ポケットをごそごそ探す。
Dry Rustling
The sound of slow movement through dry leaves, bushes, or paper.
落ち葉がごそごそ鳴る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ごそごそする
Used as a verb to mean the act of rummaging around or making a rustling noise.
ごそごそと + verb
Acts as an adverb describing how an action is performed, highlighting the rustling sound accompanying the movement.
ごそごそ + verb
A direct adverbial form without the particle to, common in everyday speech to describe searching movements.
How to Use
Common Phrases
カバンをごそごそする
to rummage through a bag
ポケットをごそごそ探す
to root around in a pocket
ごそごそ動き回る
to crawl or move around with a rustling sound
ごそごそと音を立てる
to make a dry rustling noise
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rummaging through a bag or pocket | neutral | The most standard usage, conveying the physical act of digging around blindly for an item. |
| Small animals moving in the brush | neutral | Captures the quiet, dry scraping of leaves as something moves low to the ground. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がさごそ がさごそ / similar | Use when the rustling sound is louder, rougher, or involves bulkier or noisier materials. | Gasagoso is noisier and more aggressive than the muted, smaller sound of gosogoso. | ゴミ袋をがさごそあさる。 |
ごそり ごそり / similar | Use for a single, brief rustling noise rather than a continuous or repeated sound. | Gosori indicates a singular, momentary shift or sound, whereas gosogoso implies repetitive action. | 草むらがごそりと揺れた。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gosogoso for the sound of wind blowing through trees.
Gosogoso implies physical movement in dry materials; the ambient rustle of leaves in the wind is better described by zawazawa.
Using it to mean searching the internet or thinking hard.
Gosogoso specifically refers to physical searching that produces a friction sound, not abstract seeking.
Examples
Examples
ポケットをごそごそ探して、やっと鍵を見つけた。
ポケットをごそごそさがして、やっとかぎをみつけた。
I rummaged through my pocket and finally found the key.
LiteralShows the physical act of blindly searching in a confined space.
暗闇の中で、何かがごそごそと動く音がした。
くらやみのなかで、なにかがごそごそとうごくおとがした。
In the darkness, there was a sound of something rustling about.
LiteralFocuses on the slight friction sound occurring in the dark.
彼は鞄の中をごそごそしたあと、一枚のメモを取り出した。
かれはかばんのなかをごそごそしたあと、いちまいのメモをとりだした。
After rummaging in his bag, he took out a piece of memo.
LiteralUses gosogoso as a verb (suru) for the activity of searching inside a bag.
ネズミが壁の裏でごそごそ這い回っている。
ネズミがかべのうらでごそごそはいまわっている。
A mouse is rustling around crawling behind the wall.
LiteralDescribes the hidden movement of a small animal producing a scraping sound.
落ち葉の下で虫がごそごそと動いているのが見えた。
おちばのしたでむしがごそごそとうごいているのがみえた。
I saw an insect rustling and moving under the fallen leaves.
LiteralShows a classic source of this sound: dry leaves rubbing together due to an insect's movement.
Similar Words
ごそり
gosori
Describes a single, momentary rustling sound.
がさごそ
gasagoso
A dry rustling sound made when objects like paper, leaves, or cloth rub together, especially when rummaging through a bag or bushes. Describes a louder or rougher rustling sound compared to gosogoso.
さらさら
sarasara
Describes a smooth, light texture without stickiness, or a gentle, unobstructed flow.
Questions
Can gosogoso describe footsteps?
No, it describes the friction of dry materials rubbing together, not the impact sound of walking.
What is the difference between gosogoso and gasagoso?
Gasagoso is louder and rougher, often associated with plastic bags or aggressive searching. Gosogoso is quieter and more restrained.
Can gosogoso be used as an adjective?
No, it functions primarily as an adverb or a verb when combined with suru.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1004920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- コンコン (konkon)
- Next entry
- ゴタゴタ (gotagota)