Entry
くいくい
kuikui
Giving two or three light tugs or pushes, typically to get someone's attention.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A word describing the physical action of lightly pulling, tugging, or pushing something a few times. In modern usage, it is commonly associated with gentle actions like a child tugging on a parent's sleeve. Historically, it was also used to describe brooding over something or feeling a sudden surge of anger, though this psychological usage is archaic today.
- Light tugs or pushes
- Brooding or fretting (archaic)
Sense Map
Light Tugging / Pushing
Pulling or pushing something gently and repeatedly, like tugging a sleeve to get attention.
袖をくいくい引っぱる
Brooding (Archaic)
Worrying or brooding over something negatively. This usage is archaic.
くいくいと思い悩む
Usage Note
How to Use
くいくい（と）+ verb
Used as an adverb to modify verbs related to pulling or pushing (like 引っぱる or 押す), often followed by the particle と.
くいくい + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
袖をくいくい引っぱる
tugging a sleeve lightly
指でくいくい押す
pushing lightly with a finger
糸をくいくい引く
pulling a string lightly
くいくいと合図する
signaling by lightly tugging or prodding
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seeking attention | Neutral to Endearing | Often used when a child or a pet lightly pulls on someone's clothes to ask for something or get their attention. |
| Expressing psychological states | Archaic / Literary | Used in classical or older texts to describe brooding or sudden anger, but modern speakers rarely use it this way. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐいっと ぐいっと / contrast | For a single, sudden, and forceful pull or push. | くいくい implies light, repeated, and gentle movements. | ぐいっと引っぱる |
くよくよ くよくよ / similar | For fretting or brooding over something in modern Japanese. | くいくい meaning 'worrying' is archaic; always use くよくよ for this meaning in daily life today. | くよくよ悩む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using くいくい to describe pulling a heavy object with a lot of strength.
Use ぐいぐい or ぐいっと for forceful pulling. くいくい is strictly for very light, gentle tugs.
Using くいくい in everyday conversation to mean 'worrying about something.'
Use くよくよ instead. While くいくい historically meant 'worrying,' this usage is archaic and sounds unnatural today.
Examples
Examples
子供が母親の袖をくいくいと引っぱった。
こどもが ははおやの そでを くいくいと ひっぱった。
The child gave their mother's sleeve a few light tugs.
LiteralIndicates a gentle, attention-seeking tug.
魚がエサをつついているのか、釣り糸がくいくいと引かれた。
さかなが エサを つついているのか、つりいとが くいくいと ひかれた。
Perhaps a fish was nibbling the bait, as the fishing line was tugged lightly a few times.
LiteralDescribes the repeated, light physical pull on the line.
彼は私の肩を指でくいくいと押して、静かにするように合図した。
かれは わたしの かたを ゆびで くいくいと おして、しずかに するように あいずした。
He gently prodded my shoulder with his finger, signaling me to be quiet.
LiteralUsed for a light, repeated physical push or prod.
過ぎたことをいつまでもくいくいと思い悩むのはやめなさい。
すぎた ことを いつまでも くいくいと おもいなやむのは やめなさい。
Stop fretting endlessly over things that are in the past.
FigurativeAn older, archaic usage of the word to mean fretting or brooding.
犬は散歩に行きたいのか、リードをくいくいと引っぱっている。
いぬは さんぽに いきたいのか、リードを くいくいと ひっぱっている。
The dog is giving light tugs on the leash, as if it wants to go for a walk.
LiteralShows a small, repeated pulling motion, not a forceful drag.
Similar Words
ぐいっと
guitto
Doing something in a single, uninterrupted, forceful motion, such as downing a drink or yanking an object. Forceful push/pull, contrasting with kuikui's light movement.
くよくよ
kuyokuyo
To worry or brood incessantly over past mistakes or trivial matters. The modern standard term for brooding or worrying, replacing kuikui's archaic meaning.
Questions
What is the difference between くいくい and ぐいぐい?
くいくい refers to light, gentle, and often repeated tugs or pushes. In contrast, ぐいぐい implies strong, forceful, and continuous pulling or pushing.
Can I use くいくい when I am worried about an exam?
No, in modern Japanese, くいくい is almost exclusively used for the physical action of pulling or pushing lightly. To say you are worrying or brooding, use くよくよ.
Do I need to use the particle と with くいくい?
You can use it with or without と (e.g., くいくい引っぱる or くいくいと引っぱる). Both are perfectly natural, though adding と can make the description sound slightly more vivid.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2755110
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
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- Active language
- English
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