Entry
もぐもぐ
mogumogu
もぐもぐ describes a continuous, muffled movement, such as chewing food with the mouth closed or speaking unclearly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word captures the visual or auditory impression of contained movement. It is most commonly used for chewing food quietly without opening the lips, or for mumbling words that are hard to catch. By extension, it also describes subtle wriggling or squirming movements, like a body moving continuously under a blanket.
- Chewing with the mouth closed
- Mumbling unclear words
- Squirming in an enclosed space
Sense Map
Chewing
The action of chewing food with the mouth firmly closed, without making lip-smacking sounds.
パンをもぐもぐ食べる
Mumbling
Speaking with words muffled inside the mouth, making it difficult for others to hear clearly.
もぐもぐと言い訳をする
Squirming
The continuous subtle movement or wriggling of a body, often in a confined or covered space.
布団の中でもぐもぐ動く
Usage Note
How to Use
もぐもぐ(と) + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, typically followed by verbs like 食べる (to eat), 言う (to say/speak), or 動く (to move).
もぐもぐする
Used as a verb to state the action of chewing, mumbling, or squirming itself.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もぐもぐ食べる
eat while chewing (with mouth closed)
もぐもぐ言う
mumble words
口をもぐもぐさせる
move one's mouth as if chewing
もぐもぐ動く
squirm or wriggle
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When describing eating | neutral | Implies the mouth is full and chewing continuously. It often evokes a cute image, like a hamster or a child eating. |
| When describing speaking | negative | Can be frustrating for the listener because the words are trapped in the mouth and unclear. |
| When describing movement | neutral | Used when the source of the movement is partially hidden, such as someone moving continuously under a thick blanket. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くちゃくちゃ くちゃくちゃ / opposite | When someone is chewing food noisily with their mouth open. | もぐもぐ is chewing quietly with the mouth closed, whereas くちゃくちゃ is loud, messy chewing often considered bad manners. | くちゃくちゃ音を立てて食べる |
むにゃむにゃ むにゃむにゃ / similar | When mumbling due to sleepiness or talking in one's sleep. | もぐもぐ focuses on the physical mouth movement of unclear speech, while むにゃむにゃ specifically implies being half-asleep or groggy. | むにゃむにゃ寝言を言う |
もじもじ もじもじ / similar | When someone fidgets or squirms because they are shy, hesitant, or nervous. | もぐもぐ is a physical wriggling often in a confined space, whereas もじもじ is bodily restlessness driven by emotions like shyness. | もじもじして恥ずかしがる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using もぐもぐ to describe someone chewing very loudly and smacking their lips.
Use くちゃくちゃ (kuchakucha) for noisy chewing. もぐもぐ implies the lips are sealed.
Using もぐもぐ to describe someone who is speaking quietly but with perfect, clear articulation.
もぐもぐ specifically implies the speech is muffled and hard to understand (mumbling).
Examples
Examples
彼はパンをもぐもぐと食べている。
かれはパンをもぐもぐとたべている。
He is chewing on his bread.
VisualDescribes someone chewing food with their mouth closed.
口をもぐもぐさせて何かを噛んでいる。
くちをもぐもぐさせてなにかをかんでいる。
They are moving their mouth, chewing on something.
VisualFocuses on the visible movement of the mouth continuously moving.
彼女はもぐもぐと言い訳をした。
かのじょはもぐもぐといいわけをした。
She mumbled an excuse.
FigurativeDescribes unclear speech due to reluctance or embarrassment.
何をもぐもぐ言っているのか分からない。
なにをもぐもぐいっているのかわからない。
I don't know what they are mumbling about.
FigurativeA common expression when frustrated by not being able to hear someone's words.
布団の中で赤ちゃんがもぐもぐ動いている。
ふとんのなかであかちゃんがもぐもぐうごいている。
The baby is squirming under the futon.
VisualDescribes hidden but continuous movement under a cover.
Similar Words
もじもじ
mojimoji
Describes fidgeting, squirming, or acting restlessly due to shyness, hesitation, or nervousness. Squirming or fidgeting out of shyness or hesitation.
もぞもぞ
mozomozo
Describes a slow wriggling, squirming, or creeping movement, as well as the dry and crumbly texture of food in the mouth.
くちゃくちゃ
kuchakucha
Describes the sound of smacking lips while chewing with an open mouth, or the physical state of being crumpled and messy. Chewing noisily with an open mouth (the opposite of mogumogu).
むにゃむにゃ
munyamunya
Describes the sound of mumbling or speaking incomprehensibly, typically heard when someone is sleep talking or making weak excuses. Mumbling due to sleepiness or half-asleep states.
Questions
Can I use もぐもぐ for a baby eating baby food?
Yes, it is very common to use this word to describe babies learning to chew with their small mouths.
Is speaking もぐもぐ (mogumogu iu) impolite?
The word itself is neutral, but the action of mumbling unclearly is generally considered impolite or lacking confidence in formal situations.
What is the main difference between もぐもぐ (mogumogu) and もぞもぞ (mozomozo) for movement?
もぐもぐ often pictures a wriggling motion that stays somewhat in one place (like tossing under a blanket), while もぞもぞ implies a slow, creepy-crawling progression.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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