Entry
もじもじ
mojimoji
Describes fidgeting, squirming, or acting restlessly due to shyness, hesitation, or nervousness.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates the physical manifestation of inner shyness, bashfulness, or a lack of confidence, often seen when someone makes small restless movements like shifting their weight or playing with their fingers while hesitating to act or speak.
- Physical fidgeting out of shyness or nervousness
- Hesitation to speak up or take action
Sense Map
Fidgeting from shyness
Moving one's body awkwardly or restlessly due to feeling shy, embarrassed, or bashful. Often seen in children or someone facing their crush.
恥ずかしそうにもじもじしている。
Hesitating to speak
Showing reluctance or a lack of assertiveness when one wants to say something but holds back due to timidity.
もじもじと話し始める。
Usage Note
How to Use
もじもじする
Functions as a verb meaning to fidget shyly or act bashful.
もじもじと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action done hesitantly or awkwardly.
もじもじしながら + verb
Used to describe performing an action while simultaneously displaying bashful or restless body language.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もじもじする
to fidget shyly
もじもじしながら
while acting bashful
もじもじと答える
to answer hesitantly
もじもじして言えない
too shy to say it
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A young child meeting a stranger | neutral | Perfectly captures the image of a child hiding behind a parent's leg, unable to speak up. |
| Confessing romantic feelings | positive | Commonly used in romance scenarios where a character is too embarrassed to say 'I love you' directly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
そわそわ そわそわ / contrast | Use そわそわ for restlessness caused by anticipation, excitement, or anxiety about an upcoming event. | そわそわ implies an inability to calm down due to anticipation, whereas もじもじ implies a failure to act confidently due to shyness. | テストの結果が気になってそわそわする。 |
いじいじ いじいじ / similar | Use イジイジ for hesitation mixed with a sullen, withdrawn, or mildly sulky inferiority complex. | イジイジ has a slightly negative, moody undertone, while もじもじ is mostly about innocent shyness or physical awkwardness. | イジイジしていないで、前を向きなさい。 |
うじうじ うじうじ / similar | Use うじうじ for prolonged indecisiveness or wishy-washy behavior over a problem. | うじうじ refers to a mental or emotional inability to make a decision, while もじもじ highlights the physical restlessness of feeling shy. | いつまでもうじうじ悩む。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using もじもじ to describe a restless bug or an itchy feeling.
For squirming bugs or physical itchiness that makes you squirm, use もぞもぞ instead.
Using もじもじ to mean 'rushing' or 'agitated by lack of time'.
If someone is fidgeting because they are in a hurry, せかせか is the appropriate word.
Examples
Examples
子供は知らない人の前で恥ずかしそうにもじもじしている。
こどもは しらない ひとの まえで はずかしそうに もじもじ している。
The child is fidgeting shyly in front of a stranger.
VisualDescribes the bashful body language of a shy child.
彼は彼女の前でもじもじと話し始めた。
かれは かのじょの まえで もじもじと はなしはじめた。
He began to speak hesitantly in front of her.
LiteralShows an awkward, hesitant start to speaking.
もじもじしないで、はっきり言いなさい。
もじもじ しないで、はっきり いいなさい。
Don't fidget and hesitate, say it clearly.
LiteralA common phrase urging someone to stop hesitating and speak up.
好きな人の前では、ついもじもじしてしまう。
すきな ひとの まえでは、つい もじもじ してしまう。
I end up acting bashful and awkward in front of my crush.
LiteralA romantic context where awkwardness naturally occurs.
彼はもじもじしながら、彼女にプレゼントを渡した。
かれは もじもじ しながら、かのじょに プレゼントを わたした。
While acting bashful, he handed her the present.
VisualShows handing something over accompanied by shy body language.
Similar Words
そわそわ
sowasowa
A state of being restless, fidgety, or unable to calm down due to anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. Restless due to anticipation or excitement.
イジイジ
ijiiji
Describes someone acting timidly, hesitantly, or moping due to a lack of self-confidence. Hesitant due to a sullen or sulky inferiority complex.
うじうじ
ujiuji
A state of being indecisive and hesitant to take clear action. Mental indecisiveness or wishy-washy behavior.
Questions
Is it rude to tell someone 'mojimoji shinaide' (don't fidget)?
It can be blunt. It means 'stop hesitating/fidgeting and just speak/act clearly.' It's often said by parents to children or between close friends.
Can I use もじもじ for physical pain that makes me squirm?
No, もじもじ is rooted in social or emotional shyness. It does not apply to squirming from physical pain or discomfort.
Is もじもじ similar to introversion?
It describes the temporary state of acting bashful in a specific situation, rather than a permanent personality trait, though introverted people might exhibit this behavior more often.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012570
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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