Entry
ジンジン
jinjin
Describes a continuous throbbing pain, a stinging numbness in the nerves, or a loud ringing sound in the ears.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word expresses a persistent, deep-seated sensory pain. It is commonly used when fingers are numbing from extreme cold, when a wound is throbbing, or when legs are asleep (tingling). It also describes the continuous ringing sensation in the ears after hearing a very loud noise.
- Throbbing or tingling numbness caused by cold, injury, or nerve pressure.
- Continuous ringing or buzzing in the ears.
Sense Map
Pain & Numbness
Describes a deep throbbing, stinging, or tingling numbness, typically felt in the extremities due to cold, lack of blood flow, or injury.
寒さで指先がジンジンする。
Ringing in Ears
Indicates a persistent reverberating or ringing sensation in the ears caused by loud sounds or pressure.
耳がジンジン鳴っている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ジンジンする
Used as a suru-verb to express that a body part is actively experiencing the throbbing or tingling sensation.
ジンジンと + verb
Acts as an adverb with the particle と, modifying how something hurts or rings.
ジンジン + verb
Adverbial usage without a particle, directly preceding the related action verb.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ジンジンする
to throb / to tingle
ジンジン痛む
to hurt with a throbbing pain
ジンジン痺れる
to go numb and tingly
耳がジンジンする
ears are ringing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Extreme cold | neutral/negative | Very common for describing the painful, tingling numbness in fingers and toes during winter. |
| Loud noise | negative | Used for temporary tinnitus or the ringing feeling left in the ears after a concert or loud bang. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずきんずきん ずきんずきん / similar | Use ずきんずきん for a throbbing pain that pulses in time with your heartbeat (like a headache or toothache). | ジンジン focuses more on continuous nerve pain, cold-induced stinging, or numbness. | 虫歯がずきんずきん痛む。 |
ひりひり ひりひり / similar | Use ヒリヒリ for surface-level stinging or burning (like a sunburn or a scraped knee). | ジンジン is used for pain that feels deeper in the nerves or tissue. | 日焼けで肌がヒリヒリする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ジンジン to describe a broken heart or emotional pain.
Use ジーン (jiin) for feeling emotionally moved, or 心が痛む (kokoro ga itamu) for emotional distress.
Confusing it with surface-level skin pain.
If your skin stings from a burn or scratch, use ヒリヒリ (hirihiri) instead.
Examples
Examples
雪遊びをしていて、寒さで指先がジンジンしてきた。
ゆきあそび を していて、 さむさ で ゆびさき が ジンジン してきた。
Playing in the snow made my fingertips tingle and ache from the cold.
LiteralDescribes the painful tingling numbness caused by extreme cold.
転んで擦りむいた傷口が、まだジンジンと痛む。
ころんで すりむいた きずぐち が、 まだ ジンジン と いたむ。
The scrape from falling down is still throbbing with pain.
LiteralFocuses on the continuous, deep-seated nerve pain coming from a wound.
コンサートのスピーカーの前にいたので、耳がジンジンする。
コンサート の スピーカー の まえ に いた ので、 みみ が ジンジン する。
My ears are ringing because I was standing in front of the speakers at the concert.
LiteralRefers to the ringing sensation in the ears caused by excessively loud sounds.
長時間の正座で、足がジンジンと痺れている。
ちょうじかん の せいざ で、 あし が ジンジン と しびれている。
My legs are severely tingling and numb from sitting in the seiza position for a long time.
LiteralVery commonly used to describe the "pins and needles" sensation when a limb falls asleep.
虫歯を放置していたら、夜も眠れないほど歯がジンジンする。
むしば を ほうち していたら、 よる も ねむれない ほど は が ジンジン する。
Because I ignored my cavity, my tooth is throbbing so badly that I can't even sleep at night.
LiteralUsed for a persistent, throbbing toothache.
Similar Words
ずきんずきん
zukinzukin
ずきんずきん describes a continuous, rhythmic throbbing or pulsating physical pain, typically associated with headaches, toothaches, or wounds. Both involve throbbing pain, but ずきんずきん (zukinzukin) is a pulsing pain like a heartbeat, whereas ジンジン (jinjin) is a continuous, deep nerve ache or numbness.
ヒリヒリ
hirihiri
Describes a continuous, superficial stinging or burning sensation, typically on the skin or tongue. ヒリヒリ (hirihiri) is a surface-level stinging or burning on the skin, whereas ジンジン (jinjin) feels deeper in the nerves or tissue.
ジーンと
jiinto
Describes a profound emotional resonance that touches the heart deeply, or a physical sensation of lingering numbness and stinging pain.
Questions
Can I use ジンジン for a headache?
Yes, but ずきんずきん (zukinzukin) or ガンガン (gangan) are much more common depending on whether it is a pulsing or a pounding headache.
What is the difference between ジンジン and ジーン (jiin)?
ジンジン describes physical pain or ringing, whereas ジーン is typically used for a profound emotional feeling (being moved to tears).
Does this only describe pain?
No. While it heavily relates to nerve pain and numbness, it also accurately describes a loud, continuous ringing in the ears.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2589900
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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