Entry
もんもん
monmon
Describes a state of mental agony or brooding where one is unable to clear their mind due to deep worries.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term is used to express an internal state of distress, restlessness, or emotional suffering caused by persistent worries or unsolvable problems.
- Mental torment caused by deep concern.
- Restlessness that prevents peace of mind or sleep.
Sense Map
Emotional Agony
Suffering internally while worrying about something or thinking over a problem without a solution.
一人でもんもんと思い悩む
Prolonged Restlessness
A state of anxiety experienced over a period, such as an agonizing night without sleep.
もんもんとした一夜を過ごす
Usage Note
How to Use
もんもんとする
Used as a verb to indicate that the subject is currently in a state of brooding or agony.
もんもんとした + 名詞
Functions to describe a specific condition or mood the subject is experiencing.
もんもんとして + 動詞
How to Use
Common Phrases
もんもんとする
to be in mental agony
もんもんとした一夜
an agonizing night
もんもんとした気分
a brooding mood
もんもんと思い悩む
to dwell on worries agonizingly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Relationships | Emotional | Often used when one is troubled by feelings for someone or a relationship issue. |
| Professional Stress | Serious | Used when facing work failures or injustices that weigh heavily on the mind. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
もやもや もやもや / similar | Used when feeling dissatisfied or having a vague, foggy feeling of unease. | Monmon is focused on a more distinct and painful mental suffering due to specific problems. | 心がもやもやする |
うじうじ うじうじ / contrast | Used for a hesitant or indecisive attitude due to lack of confidence. | Monmon is about emotional pain, not about the inability to make a decision. | うじうじ悩む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using monmon for physical pain.
Use terms like hiri-hiri or zuki-zuki instead. Monmon is strictly for mental distress.
Using monmon for explosive anger.
Use ira-ira or pun-pun. Monmon is an internal, self-consuming distress.
Examples
Examples
彼のことが心配でもんもんとした一夜を過ごした。
かれのことがしんぱいでもんもんとしたひとよをすごした。
I spent an agonizing night worrying about him.
LiteralIndicates a state of being unable to sleep due to a tormented mind.
詐欺の証拠がなかなか掴めずもんもんとする。
さぎのしょうこがなかなかつかめずもんもんとする。
I am in agony because I cannot find evidence of the fraud.
LiteralRestlessness due to a problem that remains unresolved.
もんもんとしたこの気分を晴らしてくれる物はないかな。
もんもんとしたこのきぶんをはらしてくれるものはないかな。
I wonder if there is anything that can clear this brooding mood.
FigurativeSeeking a way to ease a heavy mind.
将来のことを考えるともんもんとしてくる。
しょうらいのことをかんがえるともんもんとしてくる。
I start to feel tormented when I think about the future.
LiteralWorry about an uncertain future.
一人で部屋にこもってもんもんと思い悩んでいた。
ひとりでへやにこもってもんもんとおもいなやんでいた。
I stayed in my room alone, brooding over my worries.
LiteralA state of isolation while being drowned in negative thoughts.
Similar Words
もやもや
moyamoya
Describes a state of physical haziness or a cloudy, uncertain, and gloomy state of mind. Used when feeling dissatisfied or having a vague, foggy feeling of unease. Monmon is focused on a more distinct and painful mental suffering due to specific problems.
うじうじ
ujiuji
A state of being indecisive and hesitant to take clear action. Used for a hesitant or indecisive attitude due to lack of confidence. Monmon is about emotional pain, not about the inability to make a decision.
Questions
Can monmon be used for a positive mood?
No, monmon always carries a negative connotation of distress or mental agony.
What is the difference between monmon and moyamoya?
Moyamoya is like a fog in the heart (vague), while monmon is like a fire of anxiety (more intense and painful).
Is it a formal word?
It is a neutral word suitable for both daily conversation and narrative writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 906982948
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- goiryoku.com/onomatopoeia/monnmonn-2/
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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