Entry
くよくよ
kuyokuyo
To worry or brood incessantly over past mistakes or trivial matters.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes an internal state of being stuck in a negative thought loop, usually about something that has already happened or a minor issue that cannot be changed.
- Brooding over the past
- Worrying about small details
Sense Map
Past Regrets
Dwelling on mistakes that cannot be undone.
過去の失敗をくよくよする。
Sensitive Personality
A tendency to get easily discouraged by minor issues.
小さなことでくよくよ悩む。
Usage Note
How to Use
くよくよする
Used as a suru-verb to describe the act of brooding or moping.
くよくよ（と）悩む
Used as an adverb with 'to' to describe the manner of worrying.
くよくよした人
An adjective-like phrase used to describe someone with a brooding personality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
くよくよ悩む
to brood worriedly
くよくよしないで
don't mope
くよくよ考える
to think about something incessantly in a negative way
くよくよした性格
a personality prone to brooding
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Personal mistakes | negative | Suggests an unproductive focus on the past. |
| General encouragement | neutral | Used to tell someone 'don't sweat the small stuff.' |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
やきもき やきもき / nearby | Use when feeling anxious about someone else or something beyond your control. | Kuyokuyo is about one's own past or inner thoughts, while yakimoki is external anxiety about the future. | 連絡が来なくてやきもきする。 |
いらいら いらいら / contrast | Use when feeling irritated, annoyed, or impatient. | Kuyokuyo is quiet and internal, whereas iraira involves outward frustration or tension. | 渋滞でいらいらする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for serious, major life crises.
It often implies worrying about things that aren't worth the mental energy or are already over. For deep grief, use other terms.
Confusing it with 'iraira' (annoyed).
Kuyokuyo is moping; iraira is being pissed off.
Examples
Examples
過去の失敗をいつまでもくよくよ悩んでも始まらない。
かこのしっぱいをいつまでもくよくよなやんでもはじまらない。
Brooding over past mistakes forever won't get you anywhere.
LiteralSuggests that dwelling on the past is unproductive.
そんな小さなことで、いつまでもくよくよしないで。
そんなちいさなことで、いつまでもくよくよしないで。
Don't keep moping over such a small thing.
LiteralA sentence of encouragement for someone who is sad.
彼は一度失敗すると、何日もくよくよするタイプだ。
かれはいちどしっぱいすると、なんにちもくよくよするタイプだ。
He is the type to brood for days once he fails at something.
LiteralDescribes someone's nature or personality.
不採用通知が来たが、くよくよしても仕方がない。
ふさいようつうちがきたが、くよくよしてもしかたがない。
I got a rejection notice, but there's no use brooding over it.
LiteralExpresses an attitude of trying to stay positive despite failure.
試験の結果が心配で、昨日は一日中くよくよしていた。
しけんのけっかがしんぱいで、きのうはいちにちじゅうくよくよしていた。
I was moping all day yesterday, worried about my exam results.
LiteralDescribes a mental state over a specific duration of time.
Similar Words
いらいら
iraira
Irritated or impatient.
Questions
What is the difference between kuyokuyo and nayamu?
Nayamu is a general verb for worrying. Kuyokuyo specifically describes the repetitive, moping manner of that worry.
Can I use kuyokuyo for positive anticipation?
No, it is strictly for negative brooding or fretting.
Is it rude to tell someone 'kuyokuyo shinaide'?
It is common encouragement, like 'don't let it get you down,' but use it carefully if the person is genuinely hurting.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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