Entry
じゃんじゃん
janjan
じゃんじゃん describes doing something freely, vigorously, and continuously without holding back, or the loud clanging sound of a bell.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Originally representing the loud, continuous clanging of a bell, this word is most commonly used in everyday conversation to describe doing an action continuously, vigorously, and without hesitation. It often appears when encouraging someone to eat, drink, or ask questions freely, or when describing things like money being spent or orders coming in rapidly and abundantly.
- Without holding back
- Continuously
- Sound of a bell
Sense Map
Freely & Without Holding Back
Used when doing something abundantly and without hesitation, such as eating, drinking, spending, or using things.
じゃんじゃん使う
Continuously & Rapidly
Describes things happening or arriving one after another in rapid succession, like phone calls or orders.
注文がじゃんじゃん入る
Loud Clanging
The literal sound of bells ringing continuously and loudly.
鐘がじゃんじゃん鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
じゃんじゃん + verb
The most common pattern used to describe doing an action freely or continuously.
じゃんじゃんと + verb
A variant with the particle 'to', often used to emphasize the repetitive sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じゃんじゃん食べる
eat without holding back
お金をじゃんじゃん使う
spend money freely
じゃんじゃん電話が鳴る
phone rings incessantly
じゃんじゃん質問する
ask questions freely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Encouraging others | positive | Highly natural and welcoming when inviting guests to eat, drink, or ask questions without holding back. |
| Spending or consuming | neutral | Implies using resources freely and in large amounts, which can be positive (enjoying wealth) or negative (wasting money). |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どんどん どんどん / similar | Use for things steadily progressing, growing, or accumulating over time. | どんどん focuses on steady, continuous progression or change, while じゃんじゃん focuses on doing something vigorously and without restraint. | どんどん進む |
がんがん がんがん / similar | Use for intense actions, loud noises, aggressive behavior, or throbbing pain. | ガンガン implies aggressive intensity or forceful impact, whereas じゃんじゃん implies abundance and lack of hesitation. | ガンガン働く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it in formal business emails.
This is a casual spoken word; use expressions like 遠慮なく in formal contexts.
Using it to describe slow, careful, or meticulous actions.
じゃんじゃん implies vigorous, unrestrained, and often fast-paced actions.
Examples
Examples
鐘がじゃんじゃん鳴っている。
かねがじゃんじゃんなっている。
The bell is clanging loudly.
LiteralDescribes the loud, continuous clanging sound of a bell.
遠慮しないで、じゃんじゃん食べてください。
えんりょしないで、じゃんじゃんたべてください。
Please don't hold back, eat as much as you want.
FigurativeUsed when encouraging someone to enjoy food without holding back.
ボーナスが出たから、じゃんじゃんお金を使おう。
ぼーなすがでたから、じゃんじゃんおかねをつかおう。
Since I got my bonus, let's spend money freely.
FigurativeIndicates spending money freely and without hesitation.
注文がじゃんじゃん入ってくる。
ちゅうもんがじゃんじゃんはいってくる。
Orders are coming in one after another.
FigurativeDescribes orders arriving one after another in rapid succession.
分からないことがあれば、じゃんじゃん質問してください。
わからないことがあれば、じゃんじゃんしつもんしてください。
If there's anything you don't understand, feel free to ask questions.
FigurativeEncourages people to ask questions continuously without fear or hesitation.
Similar Words
ガンガン
gangan
Gangan describes a loud, repetitive clanging sound, a severe throbbing headache, or performing an action with intense energy. Both describe vigorous action, but ガンガン is more aggressive and intense.
ジャカスカ
jakasuka
ジャカスカ means doing something vigorously, freely, and without restraint, such as spending money recklessly or eating with great gusto.
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. Both mean continuously, but どんどん focuses on steady progress.
Questions
Can I use じゃんじゃん in a business setting?
It is usually too casual for formal business. Use expressions like 遠慮なく (without hesitation) instead.
What is the difference between じゃんじゃん and どんどん?
どんどん is about steady progress or accumulation. じゃんじゃん emphasizes acting freely, abundantly, and without holding back.
Does it only describe positive situations?
No. It can also describe negative situations like spending too much money or dealing with annoyingly persistent phone calls.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2251070
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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