Entry
ぐしぐし
gushigushi
Describes the continuous sound or action of muttering complaints or roughly crumpling paper.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes someone repeatedly muttering or grumbling their complaints in a continuous, low voice. It is also used to describe the physical action or sound of forcefully and roughly crumpling something, like a piece of paper.
- muttering complaints
- crumpling roughly
Sense Map
Grumbling
Describing someone repeatedly muttering complaints or grumbling in a low voice.
ぐしぐし文句を言う
Crumpling
Describing the action or sound of forcefully and roughly crumpling something, such as paper.
紙をぐしぐしと丸める
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐしぐし（と） + Verb
Used to describe the continuous manner of muttering or the rough action of crumpling something (e.g., 言う, 丸める).
ぐしぐしにする
Indicates the result of crumpling something, leading to a thoroughly crumpled state.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐしぐし言う
to mutter complaints
ぐしぐし文句を言う
to grumble complaints continuously
ぐしぐしと丸める
to roughly crumple up
紙をぐしぐしにする
to crumple paper into a ball
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Complaining / Muttering | negative | Indicates an annoying tendency to grumble persistently without taking clear action. |
| Crumpling | neutral | Often implies an action driven by frustration, done carelessly or roughly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
愚痴愚痴 ぐちぐち / similar | Use when focusing heavily on the persistent whining or complaining content about a specific grievance. | Not used for the physical action of crumpling paper. | ぐちぐち文句を言う |
ぐしゃっと ぐしゃっと / similar | Use for the sudden, momentary action or result of squashing or crushing something flat. | Not used for continuous vocal complaining or continuous crumpling actions. | 車がぐしゃっと潰れる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe someone yelling out complaints.
It refers strictly to low-voiced muttering or grumbling under the breath.
Using it when carefully folding or rolling paper.
It describes a rough, messy, forceful, and often frustrated crumpling action.
Examples
Examples
彼はずっとぐしぐしと文句を言っている。
かれはずっとぐしぐしともんくをいっている。
He has been grumbling complaints the whole time.
LiteralDescribes someone continuously complaining in a low voice.
失敗した手紙をぐしぐしと丸めて捨てた。
しっぱいしたてがみをぐしぐしとまるめてすてた。
I roughly crumpled up the ruined letter and threw it away.
VisualFocuses on the physical action of crumpling paper out of frustration.
ぐしぐし言わずに、早く仕事を終わらせよう。
ぐしぐしいわずに、はやくしごとをおわらせよう。
Let's finish the work quickly without muttering complaints.
LiteralUsed as a warning to stop complaining.
テストの答案用紙をぐしぐしにしてポケットに突っ込んだ。
てすとのとうあんようしをぐしぐしにしてぽけっとにつっこんだ。
I aggressively crumpled the test paper and shoved it into my pocket.
VisualIndicates the resulting state (the paper becoming fully crumpled).
後ろの席で誰かがぐしぐしと何かを言っている。
うしろのせきでだれかがぐしぐしとなにかをいっている。
Someone in the back seat is muttering something under their breath.
LiteralFocuses on the low, unclear sound of muttering.
Similar Words
愚痴愚痴
guchiguchi
Complaining or whining continuously and repetitively.
ぐしゃっと
gushatto
A word describing something being suddenly crushed, squashed, or a face crinkling into a broad smile. Focuses on the instantaneous squashing or crushing result.
ぐずぐず
guzuguzu
Describes a state of being slow to act due to hesitation or laziness, as well as the act of complaining or muttering.
Questions
Can ぐしぐし (gushigushi) be used for crying?
While some native speakers might occasionally use it to describe violently rubbing crying eyes (mixing it up with gushugushu or goshigoshi), standard usage focuses strictly on muttering or crumpling.
What is the difference between ぐしぐし (gushigushi) and ぐちぐち (guchiguchi)?
'Guchiguchi' focuses intensely on the persistent, whining content of a grievance. 'Gushigushi' can describe the low-voiced muttering sound itself, and uniquely, it also means to crumple something physically.
Is complaining with ぐしぐし (gushigushi) loud?
No, it specifically refers to low-voiced muttering or grumbling under the breath, never a loud argument.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2692640
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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