Entry
もやもや
moyamoya
Describes a state of physical haziness or a cloudy, uncertain, and gloomy state of mind.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Moyamoya represents something that is unclear or hazy. Physically, it describes fog, mist, or smoke that obscures vision. Psychologically, it describes a cloudy state of mind, such as feeling confused, harboring uncertain doubts, or holding onto pent-up, gloomy emotions that you cannot easily express.
- hazy or foggy environment
- confused or uncertain thoughts
- gloomy or pent-up emotions
Sense Map
Weather & Environment
Used to describe physical haziness caused by fog, mist, or smoke obscuring the view.
霧でもやもやしている。
Mental Confusion
Used when thoughts or memories are unclear, ambiguous, or confused.
頭の中がもやもやする。
Pent-up Emotions
Used when holding onto gloomy, unresolved feelings or frustrations.
もやもやした気持ちを抱える。
Usage Note
How to Use
もやもやする
Used as a verb to state that someone is feeling uncertain, gloomy, or that a situation is physically hazy.
もやもやした + noun
Used to modify a noun, such as 'moyamoya shita kimochi' (hazy or unresolved feelings).
もやもやが晴れる
A common phrase meaning that the haze has cleared up, or that doubts and gloomy feelings have been resolved.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もやもやする
to feel hazy, confused, or gloomy
頭がもやもやする
one's mind is foggy or confused
もやもやした気持ち
pent-up or unresolved feelings
もやもやが晴れる
doubts or gloomy feelings clear up
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather | neutral | Describes poor visibility due to mist or fog. |
| Emotions | negative | Expresses mild discomfort from unresolved issues or unexpressed frustrations. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
あやふや あやふや / similar | Use when information, memories, or attitudes are ambiguous, non-committal, or lack clear definition. | Ayafuya focuses on the ambiguity or unreliability of information, whereas moyamoya focuses on the internal feeling of confusion or physical haziness. | あやふやな返事をする。 |
どんより どんより / similar | Use to describe heavy, dark, and overcast skies, or deeply heavy and depressed moods. | Donyori feels much heavier and darker than moyamoya, which is more like a confusing fog or lingering mild frustration rather than deep gloom. | 空がどんよりしている。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to mean physically dirty or messy.
Moyamoya refers to things being visually hazy (like fog) or mentally unclear, not physically dirty.
Confusing it with feeling physically sick or nauseous.
While it describes psychological discomfort, use words like mukamuka for physical nausea.
Examples
Examples
山のふもとは霧でもやもやしている。
やまのふもとはきりでもやもやしている。
The foot of the mountain is hazy with fog.
VisualDescribes the lack of physical visibility due to fog.
寝不足で頭がもやもやする。
ねぶそくであたまがもやもやする。
My head feels foggy from lack of sleep.
FigurativeUsed when the mind cannot think clearly.
言いたいことが言えなくて、ずっともやもやしている。
いいたいことがいえなくて、ずっともやもやしている。
I have been feeling pent-up frustration because I can't say what I want to say.
FigurativeDescribes a lingering, unresolved mild frustration.
友達と話し合って、心のモヤモヤが晴れた。
ともだちとはなしあって、こころのモヤモヤがはれた。
After talking with a friend, the gloom in my heart cleared up.
FigurativeOften written in katakana to emphasize the emotion.
彼の態度はいつももやもやしていて、何を考えているのか分からない。
かれのたいどはいつももやもやしていて、なにをかんがえているのかわからない。
His attitude is always vague, so I don't know what he's thinking.
FigurativeDescribes an ambiguous or non-committal attitude.
Similar Words
あやふや
ayafuya
A state where something is unclear, uncertain, or unreliable. Focuses on unreliable or non-committal information/memories.
どんより
donyori
Describes a heavy, dark, and gloomy state, such as overcast skies, lifeless eyes, or a depressed mood. Describes deeply overcast weather or a profoundly depressed mood.
Questions
Can moyamoya be used for positive feelings?
No, psychologically it usually describes a negative state of confusion, doubt, or mild frustration.
What does 'moyamoya ga hareru' mean?
It means that the 'fog has cleared', meaning your doubts are resolved and you feel refreshed.
Is moyamoya used for physical sickness?
No, it is used for mental unclarity or emotional frustration. For physical nausea, words like mukamuka are better.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012690
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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