Entry
ほいほい
hoihoi
Hoihoi describes doing something, agreeing to a request, or complying far too readily without considering the consequences.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is often used to criticize someone who is a yes-man, acts thoughtlessly, or spends money freely to indulge others without hesitation.
- Accepting requests thoughtlessly
- Spending money carelessly
- Following others blindly
Sense Map
Accepting/acting without thinking
Readily doing or agreeing to something, often without considering the consequences or the effort involved.
頼みをほいほい引き受ける
Pampering/spending freely
Readily spending money or spoiling someone by giving them whatever they ask for without hesitation.
おもちゃをほいほい買う
Usage Note
How to Use
ほいほい(と) + verb
Used as an adverb modifying verbs of action, accepting, following, or spending, to highlight that they are done too readily.
ほいほいする
Used as a verb to mean acting thoughtlessly or pampering someone, though this form is less common than the adverbial usage.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ほいほいと引き受ける
to accept readily (without thinking)
ほいほいついて行く
to follow obediently (without suspicion)
ほいほい買う
to buy without hesitation (spending carelessly)
ほいほい言うことを聞く
to readily do whatever one is told
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Accepting tasks or requests | Negative/Cautionary | Implies the person is saying 'yes' too easily without considering how much work it will actually entail. |
| Buying things or spending money | Negative/Critical | Suggests spending freely without worrying about the cost, often in the context of spoiling a child or oneself. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
あっさり あっさり / similar | Use when something is done simply, cleanly, or with little resistance or emotional attachment. | Does not carry the nuance of being thoughtless, overly agreeable, or easily manipulated like ほいほい. | あっさり諦める |
ひょいひょい ひょいひょい / similar | Use for light, nimble, or casual physical movements or actions done effortlessly. | Focuses on agility and lightness rather than a lack of deep thought or being too accommodating. | ひょいひょいと飛び越える |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking it is a positive word for being 'willing' or 'helpful'.
While it means 'willingly', it often has a negative tone implying someone is a pushover or doesn't think things through.
Using it for quick, efficient work.
ほいほい focuses on the thoughtless readiness of a decision to act, not the speed or efficiency of the work itself. Use スラスラ (surasura) or サクサク (sakusaku) for smooth progress.
Examples
Examples
彼は頼み事をほいほいと引き受けてしまう。
かれはたのみごとをほいほいとひきうけてしまう。
He readily accepts requests without thinking much about it.
FigurativeShows that he agrees to things too easily and might end up struggling.
知らない人にほいほいついて行ってはいけません。
しらないひとにほいほいついていってはいけません。
You must not thoughtlessly follow strangers.
FigurativeEmphasizes the danger of trusting someone too easily.
孫の欲しがるものをほいほいと買ってやる。
まごのほしがるものをほいほいとかってやる。
Willingly buying whatever the grandchild wants without hesitation.
FigurativeShows the act of pampering by easily indulging material desires.
上司の言うことをほいほい聞くのはよくない。
じょうしのいうことをほいほいきくのはよくない。
It's not good to just readily do whatever your boss tells you.
FigurativeCriticizes the attitude of being a 'yes-man' or being overly compliant.
高価な品物をほいほい買えるわけがない。
こうかなしなものをほいほいかえるわけがない。
There's no way I can just casually buy expensive goods.
FigurativeUsed in a negative sentence to show the inability to spend money thoughtlessly.
Similar Words
あっさり
assari
Describes something that is light in flavor, simple in appearance, or happens quickly and easily without resistance. あっさり also means 'easily', but it focuses on something done cleanly or without emotional attachment, unlike the thoughtless nuance of ほいほい.
ひょいひょい
hyoihyoi
Moving lightly and nimbly, or doing things easily and without hesitation. ひょいひょい is used for light, nimble physical movements done easily, rather than showing a readily agreeable attitude.
Questions
Is ほいほい a polite word?
No, it is a casual, colloquial term and often carries a slightly critical nuance. It should not be used to praise someone's willingness to help.
Can ほいほい be used for objects moving quickly?
Generally no. It describes human attitude or action, such as readily agreeing, rather than physical motion.
What does it mean to ほいほい言うことを聞く?
It means to do whatever one is told without questioning it, often implying someone is too submissive or obedient.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2426680
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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