Entry
きょどきょど
kyodokyodo
Describes someone acting shiftily, suspiciously, or nervously, often looking around restlessly as if hiding something.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kyodokyodo is a modern colloquialism. It depicts the visual state of a person whose movements or eyes are unsteady due to extreme nervousness or a sense of guilt.
- Acting like a person who has committed a crime or is hiding a secret.
- Displaying extreme social awkwardness or nervousness in unfamiliar settings.
Sense Map
Suspicious Behavior
Used when someone looks guilty or shifty, often drawing the attention of police or security.
警察の前できょどきょどする
Social Anxiety
Used when someone is so nervous in a social situation that they cannot stay still or keep eye contact.
パーティーの会場できょどきょどしている
Usage Note
How to Use
きょどきょどする
The basic verb form to describe acting suspiciously at the moment.
きょどきょどしている
きょどきょどした人
Used to describe a person who habitually looks shifty or nervous.
きょどきょどと動く
How to Use
Common Phrases
きょどきょど見回す
To look around shiftily
きょどきょど歩く
To walk suspiciously
きょどきょど動く
To move restlessly/shiftily
きょどきょどし始める
To start acting weird/nervous
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Police/Security | Serious/Negative | Implies the person looks like a criminal. |
| Friends | Teasing | Used to point out a friend's awkward behavior. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
挙動不審 きょどうふしん / similar | Use in formal contexts like police reports. | Kyodokyodo is the casual/slang version of this noun. | 挙動不審な男 |
きょときょと きょときょと / similar | Use for a wide-eyed, innocent look of curiosity. | Kyotokyoto lacks the suspicious or guilty nuance. | きょときょとと辺りを見る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for simple 'excited' nervousness.
Use どきどき or わくわく instead. Kyodokyodo implies looking weird or suspicious.
Using it in a formal business apology.
It's too casual. Use formal expressions for being nervous instead.
Examples
Examples
警察官に見られて、彼はきょどきょどしている。
けいさつかん に みられて、かれ は きょどきょど している。
Being watched by a police officer, he is acting shiftily.
LiteralIndicates fear or guilt when authority is present.
初めてのパーティーで、きょどきょどしてしまった。
はじめて の パーティー で、きょどきょど して しまった。
At my first party, I ended up acting all nervous and awkward.
FigurativeNervousness from being in an unfamiliar environment.
嘘をついている時、彼はいつもきょどきょどする。
うそ を ついている とき、かれ は いつも きょどきょど する。
When he lies, he always acts shiftily.
LiteralThe inability to visually hide guilt.
都会の真ん中で、田舎から来た彼はきょどきょど歩いていた。
とかい の まんなか で、いなか から きた かれ は きょどきょど あるいていた。
In the middle of the city, he who came from the countryside was walking shiftily.
VisualDescribes someone feeling completely out of place.
試験中にきょどきょどしていると、カンニングを疑われるよ。
しけんちゅう に きょどきょど している と、カンニング を うたがわれる よ。
If you act shiftily during the exam, you'll be suspected of cheating.
LiteralAn action that invites suspicion from others.
Similar Words
きょときょと
きょときょと
Use for a wide-eyed, innocent look of curiosity. Kyotokyoto lacks the suspicious or guilty nuance.
Questions
Is it rude to use this word?
It can be, as it implies the person looks suspicious or weird. Use it carefully with friends or for self-deprecation.
How is it different from sowasowa?
Sowasowa is inner restlessness (like waiting for a bus), while kyodokyodo is an outward shifty appearance.
Is this an old word?
It is a relatively modern term that has become common in casual conversation over the last few decades.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 968885446
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- mainichi-nonbiri.com/jltct/onomatopoeia/
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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