Entry
じくじく
jikujiku
じくじく describes a continuous, unpleasant state of being damp, sodden, or oozing fluid, such as a festering wound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to convey a persistent and uncomfortable wetness. It commonly refers to physical injuries or skin conditions that constantly ooze pus or fluid, as well as physical objects like soil or fabric that remain heavily damp and refuse to dry.
- oozing wound
- sodden objects
Sense Map
Oozing or Festering Wounds
Describes a wound, rash, or skin condition that continually secretes fluid, pus, or blood.
傷口がじくじくする。
Damp and Sodden State
Describes physical objects like muddy ground or half-dry clothes that are persistently wet and unpleasant.
じくじくした地面。
Usage Note
How to Use
じくじくする
Used as a verb to indicate that something is actively oozing or remains in a sodden, wet state.
じくじくした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe an object that is characterized by an unpleasant, persistent dampness.
じくじくと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs related to the slow, continuous seeping or flowing of fluid.
How to Use
Common Phrases
傷口がじくじくする
wound is oozing
じくじくした地面
sodden ground
じくじくと血が出る
blood continuously oozes out
じくじくした状態
a persistently damp/oozing condition
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Wounds | negative | Indicates a wound that is slow to heal and constantly seeping fluid, giving a disturbing or clinical impression. |
| Ground and Objects | negative | Used for absorbent materials like soil or fabric that have become muddy or unpleasantly moist and resist drying. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じめじめ じめじめ / similar | Use for humid weather, damp rooms, or a gloomy personality. | じめじめ focuses on high humidity in the air or environment, whereas じくじく implies physical wetness, soddenness, or oozing fluids on a solid surface. | じめじめした部屋。 |
じとじと じとじと / similar | Use for sticky, unpleasant dampness like clammy sweat or an uncomfortably intense stare. | じとじと emphasizes a sticky feeling or a lingering gaze, while じくじく emphasizes soddenness or the festering of a wound. | じとじとと汗をかく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using じくじく to describe pleasant or refreshing moisture, like dew on grass.
じくじく is inherently negative and implies an unpleasant, soggy, or festering state.
Using じくじく to describe getting completely drenched in the rain.
For being drenched or dripping wet, words like びしょびしょ are more appropriate.
Examples
Examples
転んでできた傷口がじくじくしている。
ころんで できた きずぐちが じくじく している。
The wound from falling down is continuously oozing.
LiteralThis is the most common usage, referring to a fresh or infected wound that secretes fluid.
雨上がりで、庭の土がじくじくしている。
あめあがりで、にわの つちが じくじく している。
After the rain, the soil in the garden remains sodden and muddy.
VisualDescribes the condition of soil that has absorbed a lot of water and has not yet dried.
洗濯物が乾かなくて、まだじくじくしている。
せんたくものが かわかなくて、まだ じくじく している。
The laundry isn't drying and still feels unpleasantly damp.
VisualFocuses on the damp feeling of fabric holding water for too long.
濡れた靴を履き続けていると、足がじくじくして気持ち悪い。
ぬれた くつを はきつづけていると、あしが じくじく して きもちわるい。
Continuing to wear wet shoes leaves my feet feeling sodden and gross.
LiteralHighlights the uncomfortable physical sensation of prolonged contact with dampness.
アトピーで肌がじくじくして痒い。
アトピーで はだが じくじく して かゆい。
My skin is oozing and itchy because of eczema.
LiteralCommonly used for inflamed skin conditions that persistently leak clear fluids.
Similar Words
じとじと
jitojito
Emphasizes a sticky sensation, such as clammy sweat.
Questions
Can I use じくじく for damp clothes?
Yes, if the clothes have remained damp and sodden for a long time without drying, creating an unpleasant feeling.
How is じくじく different from じめじめ?
じめじめ is usually used for humid air or muggy weather, whereas じくじく refers to physical objects or wounds that are wet, sodden, or actively oozing.
Is it mainly used for medical conditions?
While it is very common for describing wounds, eczema, or rashes that are oozing, it is also regularly used for non-medical wetness like soggy ground.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005840
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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