Entry
じゃんじゃか
janjaka
Loudly strumming a musical instrument, or doing an action vigorously and continuously without hesitation.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Janjaka originated as a word to describe the loud, noisy sound of strumming or playing a musical instrument forcefully. Its meaning extended to describe any action, such as eating, spending money, or selling goods, that is done with high energy, continuously, and without holding back.
- Playing a musical instrument loudly
- Doing an action vigorously and continuously
Sense Map
Loud Musical Sound
The sound of strumming or playing a musical instrument loudly and noisily.
ギターをじゃんじゃか弾く。
Continuous Action
Doing something vigorously, abundantly, and without hesitation.
遠慮しないでじゃんじゃか食べてね。
Usage Note
How to Use
じゃんじゃか + 動詞
Used directly before a verb to indicate that the action is done vigorously or continuously.
じゃんじゃかと + 動詞
Functions the same as the pattern without the particle to, but the to can be added to put slightly more emphasis on the manner of the action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じゃんじゃか弾く
to play an instrument noisily
じゃんじゃか食べる
to eat vigorously and abundantly
じゃんじゃか使う
to use or spend without hesitation
じゃんじゃか売れる
to sell rapidly and continuously
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Playing a musical instrument | Neutral to slightly negative | Describes playing loudly, often implying the sound is noisy or lacks delicate skill. |
| Doing everyday actions like eating or spending | Casual and energetic | Implies doing the action vigorously, abundantly, and without holding back or hesitating. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃかじゃか じゃかじゃか / similar | When describing the loud, somewhat noisy strumming of a stringed instrument like a guitar. | Very similar to janjaka, but slightly more focused on the physical metallic or sharp sound of strumming, while janjaka is often used figuratively for any vigorous action. | ギターをジャカジャカ弾く。 |
どんどん どんどん / similar | When describing something progressing or being done continuously and steadily. | Dondon implies steady, smooth progress, whereas janjaka implies doing something with rough vigor, loud energy, or a lack of hesitation. | 仕事がどんどん進む。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe quiet, elegant, or careful continuous actions.
Janjaka implies loud noise or rough, unhesitating vigor. Use kotsukotsu for slow, steady progress, or dondon for smooth, continuous action.
Using it as an adjective to describe a noisy person.
Janjaka is an adverb modifying an action like playing music, eating, or spending, not a state of being noisy. Use urusai for a noisy person.
Examples
Examples
兄は部屋でギターをじゃんじゃか弾いている。
あにはへやでギターをじゃんじゃかひいている。
My older brother is noisily strumming his guitar in his room.
LiteralShows the sound of a guitar being strummed strongly and perhaps a bit annoyingly.
たくさん作ったから、遠慮しないでじゃんじゃか食べてね。
たくさんつくったから、えんりょしないでじゃんじゃかたべてね。
I made a lot, so please eat up without holding back.
FigurativeUsed warmly to encourage someone to eat without restraining themselves.
ボーナスが出たからといって、お金をじゃんじゃか使うのはよくない。
ボーナスがでたからといって、おかねをじゃんじゃかつかうのはよくない。
Just because you got a bonus doesn't mean it's good to spend money recklessly.
FigurativeShows the usage of something, like money, in large amounts and without hesitation.
セールが始まり、新商品がじゃんじゃか売れていく。
セールがはじまり、しんしょうひんがじゃんじゃかうれていく。
The sale started, and the new products are selling rapidly one after another.
FigurativeDescribes the steady, unstoppable, and rapid pace of sales.
隣の家からじゃんじゃかと音楽が聞こえてくる。
となりのいえからじゃんじゃかとおんがくがきこえてくる。
I can hear music blaring noisily from the house next door.
LiteralShows a continuous, loud sound playing without pause.
Similar Words
ジャカジャカ
jakajaka
Used specifically for the sound of stringed instruments.
バタバタ
batabata
Batabata describes a state of being frantically busy and flustered, or the physical sound of heavy flapping, clattering footsteps, or things falling in quick succession.
どんどん
dondon
どんどん describes something progressing very quickly, someone acting without hesitation, or the sound of repeated loud banging. Shows steady progress, lacking the rough connotation of janjaka.
Questions
Can I use janjaka in formal writing?
No, janjaka is a casual, spoken expression. In formal contexts, use words like tsugitsugi ni for one after another or sekkyokuteki ni for actively.
What is the difference between janjaka and jakajaka?
They are nearly identical when describing loud guitar strumming. However, janjaka is more commonly extended figuratively to describe doing general actions like eating or spending vigorously.
Does janjaka always have a negative meaning?
Not always. While it can imply being too loud or reckless with money, it can also warmly encourage someone to eat or participate without hesitation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454100
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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