Entry
ひーこら
hiikora
Describes the sound of groaning, huffing, and puffing when someone is straining or exhausted from extreme physical exertion or hardship.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word depicts someone who is extremely exhausted, often letting out groans or heavy breaths as they push through a physically demanding task or hardship. It is typically used to emphasize the struggle or vocal complaints associated with working hard.
- Groaning from exertion
- Huffing and puffing
- Complaining about hard work
Sense Map
Physical Strain & Exhaustion
Groaning and panting due to highly demanding physical tasks.
荷物をひーこら運ぶ
Struggling & Complaining
Whining or huffing and puffing when pushed to do hard work, such as overtime.
ひーこら言いながら働く
Usage Note
How to Use
ひーこら言う
Used as a verb phrase meaning 'to groan from exhaustion' or 'to complain about hard work'.
ひーこら言いながら + verb
Very commonly used to show someone performing an action (like working or walking) 'while huffing and puffing'.
ヒーコラ + verb
Acts as an adverb describing an action done with immense struggle.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひーこら言う
to groan/complain from exhaustion
ひーこら言いながら
while huffing and puffing / while complaining
ひーこら言って
groaning and...
ひーこら運ぶ
to carry with great effort
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Doing heavy physical labor. | Neutral/Sympathetic. | Highlights the sheer physical toll and the sounds of struggle during demanding manual labor. |
| Complaining about a demanding task (like overtime). | Slightly Negative/Humorous. | Often used to describe whining about how hard the work is, sometimes used humorously by the speaker about their own struggles. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぜーぜー ぜーぜー / similar | Used for wheezing or loud breathing from running fast or having asthma. | Does not carry the nuance of complaining or laboring under a burden like hiikora; it is purely a heavy breathing sound. | ゼーゼーと息をする |
ふーふー ふーふー / similar | Used for blowing on hot food or panting to catch one's breath. | Focuses more on blowing air rather than groaning from sheer physical exhaustion. | フーフー息を吹きかける |
ひーひー ひーひー / similar | Used for high-pitched screaming or crying, often from pain, fear, or extreme panic. | Highlights high-pitched cries of distress or pain rather than groans of heavy labor. | ヒーヒー泣く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it simply to mean 'sleepy' or 'mildly tired'.
It specifically describes the strain and vocalization of extreme physical exertion or intense hardship.
Using it to describe a broken machine.
It is only used for humans (or living creatures) struggling physically, never inanimate objects.
Examples
Examples
炎天下の中、ひーこら言いながら山を登った。
えんてんかの なか、 ひーこら いいながら やまを のぼった。
Under the blazing sun, we climbed the mountain while huffing and puffing.
VisualShows direct physical exertion and the sounds associated with it.
父は重い荷物をひーこら運んでいる。
ちちは おもい にもつを ひーこら はこんでいる。
My father is carrying heavy luggage, groaning with exertion.
VisualShows the word directly modifying a strenuous action.
毎日残業で、ヒーコラ言いながら働いている。
まいにち ざんぎょうで、 ヒーコラ いいながら はたらいている。
I'm working myself to the bone with overtime every day, whining all the while.
FigurativeFigurative use to describe extreme workload and complaining.
彼は「もう疲れた」とひーこら言っている。
かれは 「もう つかれた」と ひーこら いっている。
He is panting and complaining, saying, "I'm exhausted."
VisualOften used to describe someone explicitly voicing their complaints.
坂道が急すぎて、自転車をひいこら押して上がった。
さかみちが きゅうすぎて、 じてんしゃを ひいこら おして あがった。
The slope was so steep that I huffed and puffed as I pushed my bicycle up.
VisualShows the use of the variant 'hiikora' in an everyday tiring situation.
Similar Words
フーフー
fuufuu
The sound of blowing to cool something hot, heavy panting, or struggling with a hard task. Focuses more on the act of catching one's breath or blowing.
ゼーゼー
zeezee
ゼーゼー describes a harsh, raspy sound of labored breathing, caused by either extreme physical exhaustion or a respiratory illness. Shows heavy breathing sounds without the element of complaining.
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. Denotes high-pitched crying or screaming from pain or panic.
Questions
What does the phrase 'hiikora iu' mean?
It means to groan, whine, or huff and puff while struggling with a very physically demanding task or heavy workload.
Can I use 'hiikora' to describe feeling sleepy?
No, it specifically describes the strain and vocalization of extreme physical exertion, not just being tired and wanting to sleep.
Is this word appropriate for formal business settings?
No, it is a casual term. Using it to describe your own work to a boss might sound unprofessional or like you are complaining.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2837736
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ぬるっと (nurutto)
- Next entry
- ちゃりん (charin)