Entry
ひょいひょい
hyoihyoi
Moving lightly and nimbly, or doing things easily and without hesitation.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes light, nimble physical movements, such as taking small leaps or quickly dodging something. Figuratively, it is often used to describe readily agreeing to, accepting, or completing tasks in quick succession with ease and without much overthinking.
- Light and agile physical movement
- Completing tasks easily
- Accepting requests without hesitation
Sense Map
Light & Agile Movement
Used for physical movements executed with agility, nimbleness, and an apparent lack of effort, such as hopping or dodging.
障害物をひょいひょいと避ける。
Doing Tasks Easily
Used figuratively when someone completes tasks quickly or accepts requests without feeling burdened or hesitating.
仕事をひょいひょいこなす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ひょいひょいと + verb
ひょいひょい + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひょいひょいと避ける
to dodge nimbly
ひょいひょいこなす
to handle easily
ひょいひょい引き受ける
to accept readily
ひょいひょいと跳ぶ
to hop lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical movement | Neutral to Positive | Indicates admirable agility or at least a lack of stiffness. |
| Completing tasks | Positive | Shows the person is competent and can handle many things quickly. |
| Accepting offers or work | Neutral to Negative | Can sound like the person agrees without seriously considering the consequences or responsibilities. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひょいと ひょいと / similar | Used for a single, sudden, or chance occurrence of a light movement or action. | ひょいひょい implies repeated or continuous actions. | カエルがひょいと跳ねた。 |
ぴょこぴょこ ぴょこぴょこ / similar | Used specifically for cute, small hopping movements, like those of a frog or rabbit. | ひょいひょい is broader, covering the agility of dodging or finishing tasks, not just small hops. | うさぎがぴょこぴょこ跳ぶ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy, slow-moving objects.
This word always implies light weight and speed or agility.
Using it for someone who works very carefully and slowly.
This word implies speed and easily moving from one thing to the next.
Examples
Examples
猫が塀の上をひょいひょいと歩いている。
ねこがへいのうえをひょいひょいとあるいている。
The cat is walking nimbly along the top of the wall.
VisualShows light and agile physical movement.
彼は飛んでくるボールをひょいひょい避けた。
かれはとんでくるぼーるをひょいひょいさけた。
He nimbly dodged the balls flying at him.
VisualShows agility in dodging things in succession.
たくさんあった仕事をひょいひょいこなしてしまった。
たくさんあったしごとをひょいひょいこなしてしまった。
They easily completed the many tasks one after another.
FigurativeFigurative meaning for handling tasks without difficulty.
彼女はどんな面倒な頼みでもひょいひょい引き受ける。
かのじょはどんなめんどうなたのみでもひょいひょいひきうける。
She readily accepts any request, no matter how troublesome.
FigurativeShows an attitude of agreeing too easily, sometimes with a slight negative connotation of thoughtlessness.
川の石をひょいひょいと跳んで渡った。
かわのいしをひょいひょいととんでわたった。
I crossed the river by hopping lightly across the stones.
VisualDescribes light, successive small hops.
Similar Words
ぴょこぴょこ
pyokopyoko
Focuses on small hops of animals like rabbits/frogs.
ひょいと
hyoito
Describes doing an action lightly and effortlessly, or doing something casually and unexpectedly. For a single light or sudden movement.
ちょいちょい
choichoi
A casual word meaning something happens quite often or is done easily and effortlessly.
ひらり
hirari
A mimetic word describing a single, swift, and graceful movement, often conveying a sense of weightlessness or agility.
Questions
Can I use this for a movement that happens only once?
No, for a single occurrence, it is better to use ひょいと.
Is this word formal?
It is mostly used in everyday conversation and spoken language. It is not suitable for official documents.
Can it be used for clear thinking?
No, it is specific to physical movements or handling things in succession, not mental clarity.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2250870
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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