Entry
むっつり
muttsuri
むっつり means being silently sullen or having a taciturn, unapproachable demeanor.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term describes someone who remains silent due to a bad mood or displeasure, or it refers to a person who is naturally taciturn and uncommunicative.
- sullen silence
- taciturn personality
Sense Map
Sullen silence
Describes a person not speaking because they are angry, annoyed, or in a bad mood.
むっつり黙り込む。
Taciturn personality
Refers to a person who inherently speaks very little and appears unapproachable.
むっつりした性格。
Usage Note
How to Use
むっつりする
Shows the act of becoming silent or sullen at a certain moment.
むっつりしている
Indicates an ongoing state, often used to describe someone's mood or personality.
むっつり（と） + verb
Acts as an adverb to describe how an action is performed silently and gloomily.
むっつりした + noun
Modifies a noun, usually to describe a person's face, expression, or attitude.
How to Use
Common Phrases
むっつり黙る
to fall sullenly silent
むっつりした顔
a sullen face
むっつりしている
to be in a sullen silence
むっつりとした態度
an unapproachable/sullen attitude
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sudden bad mood | negative | Used when someone who is annoyed or angry suddenly refuses to talk. |
| Inherent personality | neutral to negative | Describes someone who rarely speaks, doesn't smile much, and looks closed-off by nature. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
むすっと むすっと / similar | Focuses on a facial expression showing dissatisfaction or slight anger. | ムスッと is a momentary facial reaction, while むっつり indicates a heavier silence and can denote an inherent trait. | ムスッとする。 |
ぶすっと ぶすっと / similar | When someone is sulking in a childish or very obvious manner. | ぶすっと feels more emotional and childish, whereas むっつり is more closed-off, heavy, and gloomy. | ぶすっとした態度。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe a quiet room or environment.
むっつり is exclusively for human behavior or expressions. For a quiet environment, use しーん (shiin) or 静か (shizuka).
Not knowing that this word is often combined in slang.
In slang, 'むっつり' is often combined into 'むっつりスケベ' (someone who appears quiet/innocent but has dirty thoughts). Use with caution and awareness of the context.
Examples
Examples
彼は機嫌が悪く、一日中むっつりしていた。
かれ は きげん が わるく、 いちにちじゅう むっつり していた。
He was in a bad mood and stayed sullenly silent all day.
VisualShows the state of staying silent due to a bad mood.
彼はむっつりした性格で、めったに笑わない。
かれ は むっつり した せいかく で、 めった に わらわない。
He has a taciturn personality and rarely smiles.
FigurativeUsed as an adjective to describe someone's nature.
父は一言も話さず、むっつりとソファに座っていた。
ちち は ひとこと も はなさず、 むっつり と ソファ に すわっていた。
My father sat on the sofa sullenly, not saying a word.
VisualDescribes an unapproachable posture and attitude.
なぜそんなむっつりした顔をしているの。
なぜ そんな むっつり した かお を している の。
Why are you making such a sullen face?
Visualむっつりした顔 is a common phrase for a sullen face.
口論の後、彼女は急にむっつり黙り込んだ。
こうろん の あと、 かのじょ は きゅう に むっつり だまりこんだ。
After the argument, she fell sullenly silent.
VisualIndicates a sudden change to silence.
Similar Words
Questions
Can this word be used for animals?
No, this word is exclusively used to describe human expressions and behavior.
Does むっつり always have a negative connotation?
Mostly yes, as it implies being unapproachable or gloomy, though it sometimes simply means very taciturn.
What is the difference between むっつり and しーん?
むっつり describes a person's silence (often due to mood), whereas しーん describes the silence of a place or environment.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1012390
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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