Entry
メキメキ
mekimeki
Mekimeki describes something improving or growing at a remarkably rapid pace, or the loud creaking sound of rigid objects like wood breaking under pressure.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has two distinct uses. Most commonly, it acts as a mimetic word (gitaigo) describing rapid, highly visible progress, such as someone's skills improving remarkably or a plant shooting up quickly. Secondarily, it is a phonomime (giongo) representing the heavy, ominous sound of a rigid structure, like wood or thick ice, creaking and splitting under intense pressure.
- Rapid, visible progress or growth
- Loud creaking or breaking sound
Sense Map
Rapid Progress
Describes skills, health, or growth improving or advancing at a remarkably fast and visible pace.
めきめき上達する
Creaking Sound
The heavy sound of rigid materials like wood or ice cracking and splitting under stress.
めきめき音を立てる
Usage Note
How to Use
めきめき + verb
Directly modifies verbs related to growth, improvement, or recovery, such as 成長する (to grow) or 上達する (to improve).
めきめきと + verb
Adding 'to' emphasizes the adverbial nature of the rapid progress and gives rhythm to the sentence.
めきめき音を立てる
A specific phrase meaning to make a creaking or cracking sound, typically used for wood or structures.
How to Use
Common Phrases
めきめき上達する
to improve remarkably
めきめき成長する
to grow rapidly
めきめきよくなる
to get noticeably better in health or situation
めきめきと頭角を現す
to distinguish oneself rapidly
めきめき音を立てる
to make a creaking sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Skill Improvement | positive | Highly encouraging; shows the speaker is impressed by the fast pace of learning. |
| Physical Growth | neutral to positive | Great for describing children growing taller quickly or plants thriving day by day. |
| Breaking Wood or Ice | ominous | Implies heavy strain and impending collapse of a solid structure. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
にょきにょき にょきにょき / similar | Use for things physically sprouting or popping up one after another, like mushrooms or buildings. | Mekimeki focuses on the rapid pace of general progress or skill improvement, not just the physical act of sprouting upwards. | にょきにょき生える |
ぼきぼき ぼきぼき / contrast | Use for the dry snapping sound of branches or cracking knuckles. | Mekimeki sounds heavier, like thick timber straining and splitting under immense pressure, rather than a sharp, instantaneous snap. | 指をボキボキ鳴らす |
めりめり めりめり / similar | Use for the sound of something forcefully tearing or splintering apart. | Both can describe breaking, but mekimeki emphasizes the prolonged creaking strain before or during the break, while merimeri focuses on the continuous tearing destruction. | メリメリと裂ける |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for fast physical movement like running.
Mekimeki is for the rapid rate of progress, growth, or recovery, not physical speed of a person or vehicle.
Assuming it always means a physical sound.
While it can mean wood creaking, in modern everyday conversation, it is far more commonly used to compliment someone's rapid skill improvement or recovery.
Examples
Examples
彼らの日本語はめきめき上達している。
かれらの にほんごは めきめき じょうたつ している。
Their Japanese is improving remarkably.
FigurativeShows the highly rapid pace of skill improvement.
春になると、庭の草木がめきめき育つ。
はるに なると、 にわの くさきが めきめき そだつ。
When spring comes, the plants in the garden grow rapidly.
VisualEmphasizes the physical growth that can be observed from day to day.
台風の強い風で、古い小屋がメキメキと音を立てた。
たいふうの つよい かぜで、 ふるい こやが メキメキと おとを たてた。
Due to the strong typhoon winds, the old shed made a loud creaking sound.
LiteralDescribes the heavy sound of a rigid structure straining and nearing the breaking point.
新しい練習法を取り入れてから、チームの実力がめきめきと上がった。
あたらしい れんしゅうほうを とりいれてから、 チームの じつりょくが めきめきと あがった。
Since adopting the new practice method, the team's ability has increased remarkably.
FigurativeHighlights strong group progress as an unstoppable result.
大雪の重みで、屋根の梁がメキメキ鳴っている。
おおゆきの おもみで、 やねの はりが メキメキ なっている。
Under the weight of the heavy snow, the roof beams are creaking loudly.
LiteralUses mekimeki to convey the danger of a heavy burden on wood.
Similar Words
ボキボキ
bokiboki
Both refer to breaking sounds, but bokiboki is for the dry snapping of branches or cracking knuckles, not the heavy strain on large structures.
メリメリ
merimeri
Both describe destruction, but mekimeki emphasizes the creaking strain before the break, while merimeri focuses on the continuous tearing or splitting damage.
Questions
Can I use mekimeki for running fast?
No, mekimeki is not for physical speed. It describes rapid progress, improvement, or growth over time.
Is mekimeki a positive word?
Yes, when referring to growth or skill improvement, it is highly positive and often used as a compliment. However, when describing a breaking sound, it simply states a dangerous fact.
What is the difference between mekimeki and nyokinyoki?
Nyokinyoki visually describes things physically sprouting or popping up one after another. Mekimeki focuses on the rapid pace of general improvement or growth.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012430
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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