Entry
ヒーヒー
hiihii
ヒーヒー describes the high-pitched sound of a baby crying or a person panting heavily from exhaustion.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word primarily represents a continuous, high-pitched wailing sound, most commonly associated with a baby crying. In everyday conversation, it is also frequently used to describe someone panting, wheezing, or whining because they are completely exhausted or overwhelmed by a difficult task.
- High-pitched crying (esp. babies)
- Panting from physical exhaustion
- Being overwhelmed by a task
Sense Map
Wailing (Baby/Animal)
The loud, high-pitched, continuous crying of a baby or whining of a small animal.
赤ちゃんがヒーヒー泣く
Panting & Exhaustion
Breathing heavily or whining due to extreme physical or mental exhaustion.
忙しくてヒーヒー言う
Usage Note
How to Use
ヒーヒー泣く
Used to describe someone, usually a baby, crying loudly and continuously.
ヒーヒー言う
Used to describe someone panting from exhaustion or complaining about being overwhelmed.
ヒーヒーと + verb
ヒーヒー言いながら
How to Use
Common Phrases
ヒーヒー泣く
to cry loudly and continuously
ヒーヒー言う
to pant or complain from exhaustion
ヒーヒーと泣く
to wail (with a particle)
ヒーヒー言いながら
while panting or struggling
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A baby crying | Neutral | Describes the intense, high-pitched, continuous nature of the wail. |
| Adults working | Colloquial / Exaggerated | Used to express being completely overwhelmed by a heavy workload, often with a hint of self-pity or humor. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひーこら ひーこら / similar | Used when describing someone struggling or panting from intense physical exertion or difficult work. | Does not mean crying; strictly focuses on the state of struggling and huffing. | ひーこら言いながら働く |
おぎゃー おぎゃー / similar | Used specifically for the loud, initial crying sound of a newborn baby. | Refers more to the loud burst of a cry rather than continuous high-pitched wailing. | オギャーと生まれる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Translating it only as crying and ignoring the exhaustion meaning.
Remember that for adults, ヒーヒー言う usually means being overwhelmed by work or panting, not literally crying.
Using it for quiet weeping.
For quiet, subdued crying, use しくしく instead.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんが火が付いたようにヒーヒー泣いている。
あかちゃんがひがついたようにヒーヒーないている。
The baby is crying loudly with a high-pitched wail, as if on fire.
LiteralFocuses on the continuous, high-pitched wailing.
急な坂道を登り切って、彼はヒーヒー言っている。
きゅうなさかみちをのぼりきって、かれはヒーヒーいっている。
After climbing the steep hill, he is panting heavily.
VisualDescribes heavy, panting breathing from physical exertion.
人手が足りなくて、スタッフは毎日ヒーヒー言いながら働いている。
ひとでがたりなくて、スタッフはまいにちヒーヒーいいながらはたらいている。
Due to being short-staffed, the employees are working while completely overwhelmed every day.
FigurativeFiguratively means being mentally or physically overwhelmed by a situation.
寒さのせいか、子犬が外でヒーヒーと鳴いている。
さむさのせいか、こいぬがそとでヒーヒーとないている。
Perhaps because of the cold, the puppy is whining outside.
LiteralCan be used for the high-pitched whining of small animals.
この重い荷物を一人で運ぶのは、さすがにヒーヒー言うよ。
このおもいにもつをひとりではこぶのは、さすがにヒーヒーいうよ。
Carrying this heavy luggage by myself will definitely make me pant and struggle.
VisualExpresses complaining and struggling while doing a heavy task.
Similar Words
ひーこら
hiikora
Both are used to show struggling and panting due to physical exertion.
オギャー
ogyaa
Related to a baby crying, but オギャー is more about the loud initial burst.
Questions
Can adults ヒーヒー泣く?
While possible, it sounds very undignified, like a child wailing. Adults are more likely to ヒーヒー言う (pant/struggle).
What does ヒーヒー言う mean?
It means to pant from physical exertion or to complain because you are overwhelmed by a task.
Is this word formal?
No, it is informal and colloquial. Avoid using it in formal business writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2097250
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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