Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates the sound of someone speaking so softly and unclearly that their words are hard to understand. It is most commonly associated with people muttering in their sleep, being half-asleep, or intentionally mumbling to avoid answering a difficult question directly.
- Muttering incoherently in sleep
- Mumbling to evade a question
Sense Map
Sleep talking
Muttering incoherently while half-asleep or dreaming.
寝言をむにゃむにゃ言う。
Making excuses
Mumbling to avoid giving a clear answer or when making a weak excuse.
むにゃむにゃとごまかす。
Usage Note
How to Use
むにゃむにゃ（と）言う
むにゃむにゃ（と）話す
むにゃむにゃと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs like evading (ごまかす) or chanting (唱える).
むにゃむにゃする
Functions as a verb meaning 'to mumble unclearly'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
むにゃむにゃ言う
to mumble
むにゃむにゃ話す
to speak unclearly
むにゃむにゃとごまかす
to evade by mumbling
むにゃむにゃする
to mutter
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| While sleeping or waking up | neutral | A very standard way to depict sleep talking in Japanese pop culture. |
| When asked a tough question | negative | Gives the impression that the speaker is intentionally being unclear to avoid a direct answer. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごにょごにょ ごにょごにょ / similar | Used when someone intentionally lowers their voice so others cannot hear clearly, such as when whispering awkwardly. | Does not focus on sleepiness or sleep talking, but rather on conscious secrecy or shyness. | ごにょごにょと相談する。 |
もぐもぐ もぐもぐ / similar | Used when someone speaks with their mouth closed because they are chewing food. | Focuses on the physical movement of the closed mouth or chewing, rather than sleepiness. | もぐもぐと食べる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for secret conversations.
Use ごにょごにょ or ひそひそ for secretive whispering. This word implies a sleepy or evasive lack of clarity.
Using this word for complaining.
Complaining or grumbling sounds should use ぶつぶつ. This word simply shows the speech is unarticulated.
Examples
Examples
彼は寝言で何かむにゃむにゃと言っている。
かれはねごとでなにかむにゃむにゃといっている。
He is mumbling something in his sleep.
VisualDescribes the audible sound of someone sleep talking.
テストの点数を聞かれて、彼はむにゃむにゃとごまかした。
テストのてんすうをきかれて、かれはむにゃむにゃとごまかした。
When asked about his test score, he evaded the question by mumbling.
FigurativeShows social behavior where someone avoids a direct answer.
子供は「ムニャムニャ」と言いながら、また眠ってしまった。
こどもは「ムニャムニャ」といいながら、またねむってしまった。
The child mumbled softly and fell back asleep.
VisualUsing katakana is common as a sound effect within quotes.
むにゃむにゃ話さないで、もっとはっきり言ってください。
むにゃむにゃはなさないで、もっとはっきりいってください。
Please don't mumble and speak more clearly.
LiteralA direct instruction against unclear articulation.
おばあさんは何かむにゃむにゃと唱えていた。
おばあさんはなにかむにゃむにゃととなえていた。
The old woman was muttering some kind of chant.
VisualDescribes the sound of quietly reciting a prayer or spell.
Similar Words
ごにょごにょ
gonyogonyo
The sound or manner of speaking unclearly, mumbling, or muttering so it is hard to understand. Both mean unclear speech, but ごにょごにょ is a conscious attempt to hide the conversation.
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. もぐもぐ focuses more on speaking with a closed mouth while eating, not from sleepiness.
Questions
Can I use this word if someone has a toothache and can't speak well?
Yes, because it describes unclear articulation caused by an inability to open the mouth properly.
How is it different from ぶつぶつ (butsubutsu)?
This word focuses on a sleepy or evasive lack of clarity, while ぶつぶつ carries a nuance of dissatisfaction or complaining.
Is this word only used for children?
No, it can be used for adults as well, whether describing someone sleep talking or telling someone to speak more clearly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012400
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- むっつり (muttsuri)
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- むんむん (munmun)