Entry
ひくひく
hikuhiku
A word describing continuous, slight twitching or quivering movements, like a nose sniffing or a small muscle spasm.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia depicts the repeated, gentle movement of small body parts. It is commonly used to describe an animal or person continuously twitching their nose to sniff, or a small muscle (like a lip or cheek) quivering slightly due to fatigue or emotion.
- Nose twitching
- Slight muscle quivering
Sense Map
Nose Twitching
The continuous, slight movement of the nose, typically when sniffing a scent.
ウサギが鼻をひくひくさせる。
Muscle Quivering
A slight, repeated spasming or quivering of a small muscle.
疲れてまぶたがひくひくする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ひくひくする
Indicates that a muscle or body part is twitching or quivering on its own.
ひくひくと + verb
ひくひくさせる
Means to make a body part twitch, usually used when describing someone or an animal intentionally sniffing with their nose.
How to Use
Common Phrases
鼻をひくひくさせる
to twitch one's nose (to sniff)
唇がひくひくする
lips quiver (from emotion)
筋肉がひくひく痙攣する
muscles twitch slightly
肩がひくひくする
shoulders heave or quiver slightly (e.g., after crying)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sniffing | neutral | Commonly used for cute or natural imagery, like a rabbit or dog twitching its nose to smell something. |
| Fatigue/Emotion | neutral | Describes physiological reactions, like a lip quivering before crying, or an eyelid twitching from lack of sleep. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴくぴく ぴくぴく / similar | Use for a more distinct, sharper, or slightly stronger twitch. | Pikupiku is sharper and more noticeable, while hikuhiku is softer. | まぶたがピクピクする。 |
ぴくっ ぴくっ / similar | Use for a single, momentary flinch or twitch. | Hikuhiku is continuous, whereas piku' happens only once. | 音がしてぴくっと動く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for large body movements like shaking or shivering.
Hikuhiku is only for very localized, small movements like the nose or lips.
Using it to describe a single sudden jerk.
Hikuhiku describes a continuous action. For a single twitch, use piku'.
Examples
Examples
ウサギが鼻をひくひくさせている。
ウサギ が はな を ひくひく させて いる。
The rabbit is twitching its nose.
VisualVisualizing the twitching movement of the nose.
疲労で目の下の筋肉がひくひくする。
ひろう で め の した の きんにく が ひくひく する。
The muscle under my eye is twitching from fatigue.
VisualShows the slight muscle spasm caused by fatigue.
怒りで唇がひくひくと震えていた。
いかり で くちびる が ひくひく と ふるえて いた。
His lips were quivering slightly with anger.
VisualDescribing the physical quivering of lips as an emotional reaction.
泣きすぎて、子供の肩がひくひくしている。
なきすぎて、 こども の かた が ひくひく して いる。
The child's shoulders are quivering from crying too much.
VisualThe slight quivering of the shoulders due to lingering sobs.
匂いを嗅ごうと犬が鼻をひくひくさせた。
におい を かごう と いぬ が はな を ひくひく させた。
The dog twitched its nose to sniff the smell.
VisualThe intentional act of moving the nose to smell something.
Similar Words
ピクピク
pikupiku
Used for stronger and sharper twitches.
ぴくっ
piku
Used for a single, momentary flinch or twitch.
Questions
What is the difference between hikuhiku and pikupiku?
Pikupiku is a sharper, more pronounced twitch. Hikuhiku is a softer, gentler, and often rhythmic quivering, frequently used for noses.
Can I use hikuhiku for a heartbeat?
No. For a heartbeat, use dokidoki or bakubaku. Hikuhiku is for surface-level muscles and skin.
Is it only used for humans?
No, it is very commonly used for animals, especially to describe them twitching their noses.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010490
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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