Entry
ヒソヒソ
hisohiso
This word describes the sound or action of speaking in a very low voice or whispering.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to depict someone talking in a hushed tone to prevent others nearby from overhearing. It frequently carries a connotation of sharing secrets, gossiping, or having a highly private conversation.
- whispering quietly
- sharing a secret
- gossiping behind someone's back
Sense Map
Whispering
Used when someone speaks in a very quiet voice, often close to someone's ear, to keep information confidential.
耳元でヒソヒソ話す
Gossiping
Used when two or more people are talking secretly about something, like a rumor, so that the subject of the rumor does not hear them.
隅でヒソヒソと噂をする
Usage Note
How to Use
ヒソヒソ(と) + verb
Used as an adverb to describe the manner of speaking or discussing in whispers.
ヒソヒソ話 + verb (suru)
Forms a noun meaning a secret talk or gossip, and combined with suru becomes a verb meaning to gossip or talk secretly.
ヒソヒソ声
Forms a noun that specifically refers to a whispering voice.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ヒソヒソ話す
to speak in a whisper
ヒソヒソ声
whispering voice
ヒソヒソ話
secret talk, whispering, gossip
ヒソヒソと相談する
to consult secretly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| In places requiring quiet (libraries, classrooms) | Neutral | Used to describe people following rules by lowering their voices so as not to disturb others. |
| Seeing people clustered together | Negative | Often used to portray people gossiping or planning something behind someone's back. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぼそぼそ ぼそぼそ / nearby | Used when someone mumbles or speaks in a low, unclear voice, often without energy or when talking to themselves. | ヒソヒソ is intentionally lowered to hide the conversation from others, whereas ぼそぼそ is low because of a lack of clarity, confidence, or energy. | ぼそぼそと喋る |
もにょもにょ もにょもにょ / nearby | Used when speaking falteringly or mumbling words because one is hesitant to speak clearly. | ヒソヒソ is a clear whisper intended for the listener, while もにょもにょ is an utterance intentionally mumbled by the speaker to avoid making a clear statement. | もにょもにょと言い訳をする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ヒソヒソ to describe someone losing their voice due to illness.
ヒソヒソ is a deliberate action to keep a conversation secret. For a hoarse voice, use a different word like ガラガラ.
Describing someone talking quietly to themselves with ヒソヒソ.
Use ぼそぼそ or ぶつぶつ for someone muttering to themselves. ヒソヒソ almost always involves speaking to another person.
Examples
Examples
生徒たちが教室の隅でヒソヒソと話している。
せいとたちが きょうしつの すみで ヒソヒソと はなしている。
The students are whispering in the corner of the classroom.
LiteralShows the action of talking quietly to avoid disturbing others or being caught.
彼らは誰かの噂をヒソヒソ話しているようだ。
かれらは だれかの うわさを ヒソヒソはなしているようだ。
It seems they are gossiping about someone in whispers.
FigurativeA common context where this word is used to describe gossiping or talking about someone in secret.
彼女は私の耳元でヒソヒソと秘密を教えてくれた。
かのじょは わたしの みみもとで ヒソヒソと ひみつを おしえてくれた。
She whispered a secret in my ear.
LiteralOften used with the word for ear (耳元) to emphasize the secrecy.
隣の部屋からヒソヒソ声が聞こえてきた。
となりの へやから ヒソヒソごえが きこえてきた。
A whispering voice was heard from the next room.
LiteralUsage as a noun to describe the whispering voice itself.
上司に聞こえないように、私たちはヒソヒソと相談した。
じょうしに きこえないように、わたしたちは ヒソヒソと そうだんした。
We discussed it in whispers so the boss wouldn't hear.
FigurativeShows the action of discussing secretly to hide something from an authority figure.
Similar Words
もにょもにょ
monyomonyo
もにょもにょ focuses on hesitance in speaking, making the words sound unclear.
Questions
Does ヒソヒソ always mean something bad like gossiping?
Not always. It is also used neutrally when someone whispers because they don't want to wake a sleeping person or because they are in a quiet place.
Can I use ヒソヒソ without the particle と?
Yes, the particle と is optional. You can say either ヒソヒソ話す or ヒソヒソと話す, and both are perfectly natural.
What is the difference between ヒソヒソ and ぼそぼそ?
ヒソヒソ focuses on hiding the conversation from a third party (whispering to someone), while ぼそぼそ focuses on a mumbling, unclear voice, which can be done even when alone.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010520
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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