Entry
じとじと
jitojito
じとじと describes an uncomfortable, damp, and clammy state caused by high humidity or sweat.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word expresses the physical discomfort of being slightly wet and sticky. It is typically used to describe humid, muggy weather, or the clammy feeling of sweat on the skin and clothes that refuses to dry. Unlike refreshing wetness, it always carries a negative nuance.
- Unpleasantly damp weather
- Clammy skin or clothes
Sense Map
Damp weather
Describes air, wind, or rain that is unpleasantly humid and muggy.
じとじとと雨が降る
Skin and clothes
Describes the sticky, clammy feeling of sweat on one's skin or garments.
汗で服がじとじとする
Usage Note
How to Use
じとじとする
Used as a verb to state that the subject, such as skin or weather, actively feels damp and clammy.
じとじとと
Used as an adverb to describe an action occurring in a damp, persistent manner, often used with falling rain.
じとじとした
Used to modify the following noun, describing it as having a damp or sticky quality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じとじとした日
damp and clammy day
じとじとと降る
to rain continuously and damply
肌がじとじとする
skin feels clammy
じとじと汗をかく
to sweat clammily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather and Climate | Negative | Used for the rainy season or heavily clouded days that make you feel muggy and uncomfortable. |
| Skin and Body | Negative | Describes the sticky, clammy feeling of sweat that won't dry due to high humidity. |
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 when focusing on gloominess, oppressive moisture in a room, or mold-prone environments. | This word focuses more on the physical sticky sensation on the skin, whereas the comparison is broader and can even describe a gloomy personality or a dark, damp room. | じめじめした部屋 |
しっとり しっとり / contrast | Use for pleasant, ideal, and soft moisture, such as dewy skin or a soft cake. | This word is always uncomfortable and negative, whereas the comparison word is a compliment indicating pleasant hydration. | しっとりした肌 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to praise the moist feeling of your skin after applying a good lotion.
This word means sticky and clammy in an uncomfortable way. Use the opposite positive term to describe pleasantly moisturized skin.
Using this word to describe clothes that are dripping wet right out of the washing machine.
This word means damp and clammy, not completely soaked and dripping. Use another word for things drenched with clean water.
Examples
Examples
梅雨に入り、毎日じとじとしている。
つゆにはいり、まいにちじとじとしている。
The rainy season has started, and every day is damp and clammy.
LiteralDescribes the general climate or weather.
暑さで汗をかき、シャツがじとじとする。
あつさであせをかき、シャツがじとじとする。
Sweating from the heat, my shirt feels clammy.
LiteralDescribes the physical sensation on clothes.
湿気が多くて、肌がじとじとして気持ち悪い。
しっけがおおくて、はだがじとじとしてきもちわるい。
Because of the high humidity, my skin feels clammy and uncomfortable.
LiteralShows direct discomfort on the skin.
じとじとした風が吹いている。
じとじとしたかぜがふいている。
A damp, clammy wind is blowing.
LiteralDescribes wind that carries moisture.
雨がじとじとと降り続いている。
あめがじとじととふりつづいている。
The rain continues to fall in a damp way.
VisualFocuses on the continuous manner of the falling rain.
Similar Words
じめじめ
jimejime
Describes an uncomfortably damp, humid environment, or a gloomy, persistently negative personality or mood. Similar, but jimejime emphasizes a gloomy atmosphere or dark, moldy places.
しっとり
shittori
Shittori describes something that is pleasantly moist and soft, or a calm, graceful, and serene atmosphere. Opposite; shittori means ideal, pleasant moisture (e.g., smooth skin).
Questions
Can I use this word to describe a moist, delicious cake?
No, it implies an unpleasant, clammy wetness. Describing food this way would mean it is unpleasantly soggy.
What is the difference between this word and its main synonym?
While very similar, this word focuses slightly more on the physical sticky clamminess on your skin, while the synonym emphasizes a gloomy, mold-inducing atmosphere.
Is this word used in winter?
Rarely. It is heavily associated with the humid Japanese summer, the rainy season, and sticky sweat.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2549370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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