Entry
グー
guu
グー represents the sound of an empty stomach growling from hunger, a constricted gulping sound, or the non-mimetic meaning of a fist or rock in rock-paper-scissors.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word グー serves dual purposes. As an onomatopoeia, it mimics a low rumbling sound, predominantly the sound of an empty stomach demanding food or the sound of someone nervously gulping with a constricted throat. As a standard noun, it refers to a clenched fist and is the universal term for rock in the game of rock-paper-scissors (janken).
- Stomach growling from hunger
- Gulping throat sound
- Rock in rock-paper-scissors
- A clenched fist
Sense Map
Hungry Stomach
Describes the rumbling sound of an empty stomach.
お腹がグーと鳴る。
Constricted Throat
Describes the sound of a heavy gulp, often due to nervousness.
喉がグーと鳴る。
Rock / Fist
A closed fist, specifically meaning rock in janken.
グーを出す。
Usage Note
How to Use
グーと鳴る
Used with the verb for ringing/sounding to indicate that a stomach or throat has made a rumbling or gulping noise.
グーを出す
Used to describe playing rock in rock-paper-scissors.
グーにする
Used to describe the action of clenching one's hand into a fist.
グーで
Used to indicate an action performed using a fist.
How to Use
Common Phrases
お腹がグーと鳴る
stomach growls
グーと音がする
a growling/gulping sound is made
グーを出す
to play rock (in janken)
グーで殴る
to punch with a fist
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hunger | Neutral | Very commonly used, sometimes accompanied by a sense of mild embarrassment if heard in public. |
| Janken | Neutral | The standard word every Japanese speaker uses for rock. |
| Nervousness | Serious | Often used in writing to depict someone swallowing hard out of fear or tension. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごろごろ ごろごろ / similar | Used when the stomach makes noise due to digestion, an upset stomach, or diarrhea. | グー is strictly for an empty, hungry stomach. If there is pain or sickness involved, use ゴロゴロ instead. | お腹がゴロゴロする。 |
ぐーぐー ぐーぐー / similar | Used for continuous, loud stomach growling or heavy snoring. | グー is usually a single or short instance of a sound. グーグー implies a longer, continuous state. | お腹がグーグー鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using グー to describe a stomach ache.
Use ゴロゴロ if your stomach hurts. グー only means you are hungry.
Translating it directly as 'good' due to the sound.
While sometimes used as a dated slang for 'good' with a thumbs up, its main meanings are stomach growling, gulping, or rock in janken.
Examples
Examples
授業中にお腹がグーと鳴って恥ずかしかった。
じゅぎょうちゅう におなかが グー となって はずかしかった。
I was embarrassed when my stomach growled during class.
LiteralThe most common usage for a hungry stomach.
彼は怒りで手をグーに握りしめた。
かれは いかりで てを グー ににぎりしめた。
He clenched his hands into fists out of anger.
VisualUsage as a noun meaning a clenched fist.
じゃんけんでグーを出して勝った。
じゃんけんで グー をだして かった。
I won by playing rock in rock-paper-scissors.
LiteralThis is the standard word for rock in the game of janken.
極度の緊張で喉が思わずグーと鳴った。
きょくどのきんちょうで のどが おもわず グー となった。
My throat involuntarily gulped due to extreme nervousness.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a hard gulp when tense.
静かな部屋で誰かのお腹がグーと鳴り響いた。
しずかなへやで だれかの おなかが グー となりひびいた。
Someone's stomach rumbled loudly in the quiet room.
LiteralEmphasizes the rumbling sound echoing in a quiet place.
Similar Words
グーグー
guuguu
グーグー is the loud snoring sound made during deep sleep or the rumbling sound of a hungry stomach. Continuous stomach growling or heavy snoring.
ゴロゴロ
gorogoro
A word representing a heavy rumbling sound, a large object rolling, lounging around idly, or a gritty feeling in the eyes. For an upset or painful stomach, not hunger.
ぐぶぐぶ
gubugubu
The sound made by swishing liquid around inside the mouth while rinsing or gargling.
Questions
Is グー related to the English word good?
No. While there is a dated slang usage of グー to mean good (often with a thumbs up), the core meanings of stomach growling and fist are native developments.
What is the opposite of グー in janken?
There is no direct opposite, but the other two hand signs are チョキ (scissors) and パー (paper).
Can I use グー for animals growling?
No, dog growls are usually ヴー (vuu) or ウー (uu). グー is specifically for human stomachs or throats.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2138180
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
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- Active language
- English
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