Entry
ヘコヘコ
hekoheko
Describes the act of fawning or acting subserviently to someone, or a thin object that bends easily.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word hekoheko is primarily used to describe someone who acts subserviently, constantly bowing or fawning over superiors to curry favor. It can also describe physical objects that are thin, pliable, and bend or yield easily under pressure.
- Subservient behavior
- Pliable/bending objects
Sense Map
Fawning / Subservient
Acting excessively humble, servile, or currying favor with a stronger party or superior.
上司にヘコヘコする。
Pliable / Bending
The state of a thin object (like plastic or thin metal) bending or yielding easily.
ヘコヘコ曲がる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ヘコヘコする
The suru-verb form meaning 'to act subserviently' or 'to bend pliably'.
ヘコヘコ（と） + verb
Adverbial usage describing how an action (like apologizing) is done in a groveling or bowing manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
上司にヘコヘコする
to fawn over one's boss
ヘコヘコ頭を下げる
to bow repeatedly in a servile way
ヘコヘコ謝る
to apologize subserviently
ヘコヘコ曲がる
to bend easily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Workplace | negative | Describes a subordinate who agrees with everything the boss says just to look good and avoid trouble. |
| Apologizing | negative | Describes someone groveling out of fear or weakness, rather than showing sincere regret. |
| Physical objects | neutral | Describes thin materials (like cheap plastic or old wooden planks) that dent or sink easily when pressed. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぺこぺこ ぺこぺこ / similar | Used for repeatedly bowing (often for apologizing or greeting), or to express being starving. | While both involve bowing, hekoheko specifically highlights spineless, fawning behavior, whereas pekopeko is less judgmental about the bowing action. Pekopeko is also used to express hunger. | ペコペコ頭を下げる。 |
ふにゃふにゃ ふにゃふにゃ / similar | Used for things that are completely soft, limp, and lacking stiffness. | Funyafunya describes something that is entirely soft and floppy, while hekoheko describes a relatively rigid but thin object (like plastic or floorboards) that bends or yields under pressure. | フニャフニャのパン。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using hekoheko to say you are hungry.
For hunger, you must use pekopeko, not hekoheko.
Using it to praise someone's politeness.
Hekoheko is an insult. It describes spineless fawning and sucking up, not genuine politeness.
Examples
Examples
あの人は上司にいつもヘコヘコしている。
あのひとはじょうしにいつもヘコヘコしている。
That person is always fawning over their boss.
FigurativeDescribes an attitude of currying favor with a superior.
怒った客に対してヘコヘコと謝った。
おこったきゃくにたいしてヘコヘコとあやまった。
He apologized subserviently to the angry customer.
VisualEmphasizes the action of bowing repeatedly out of fear.
権力者にはヘコヘコと頭を下げる。
けんりょくしゃにはヘコヘコとあたまをさげる。
They repeatedly bow and act servile to people in power.
FigurativeShows excessive obedience and servility to strong individuals.
この容器は材質が薄くてヘコヘコする。
このようきはざいしつがうすくてヘコヘコする。
This container is made of a thin material and bends easily.
LiteralUsed for objects that are not sturdy and dent or bend easily under pressure.
古い家の床が歩くたびにヘコヘコと沈む。
ふるいいえのゆかがあるくたびにヘコヘコとしずむ。
The floor of the old house yields and sinks every time you walk on it.
LiteralDescribes a wooden floor that is old and bends when bearing weight.
Similar Words
ペコペコ
pekopeko
A word describing extreme hunger, the act of bowing repeatedly in a subservient manner, or thin objects easily denting. Both mean bowing repeatedly, but hekoheko implies negative fawning, and pekopeko can also mean hungry.
ふにゃふにゃ
funyafunya
Funyafunya describes something that is very soft, limp, or lacking in firmness and elasticity. Used for completely limp things, while hekoheko is for thin objects (like plastic) that bend under pressure.
Questions
What is the difference between hekoheko and pekopeko?
Both can mean bowing repeatedly, but hekoheko implies being pathetic or a 'yes-man', whereas pekopeko is just the action of bowing. Also, only pekopeko means 'hungry'.
Can I use hekoheko to describe a polite person?
No, it is highly insulting and implies the person lacks self-respect and is just acting subservient.
Is it used for objects?
Yes, it can describe thin objects that bend or yield easily, like a flimsy plastic bottle or a weak floorboard.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454600
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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