Entry
ぴくんぴくん
pikunpikun
ぴくんぴくん describes a repeated involuntary twitching, jerking, or pulsating movement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word illustrates small, repetitive movements that are often involuntary. It is commonly used for physical phenomena like an eyelid twitching from fatigue, veins throbbing in anger, or an animal's ears twitching in response to a sound.
- muscle twitches
- animal reflexes
Sense Map
Muscle & Vein Twitches
Used when muscles, eyelids, or veins repeatedly twitch or throb involuntarily due to fatigue or intense emotion.
まぶたがピクンピクンする。
Animal Reflexes
Describes small, repetitive twitching movements of animal parts like ears or tails reacting to stimuli.
犬の耳がぴくんぴくん動く。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴくんぴくんする
Used as a suru-verb to describe the subject (like an eyelid or ear) actively twitching.
ぴくんぴくんと + verb
Adverbial form using the 'to' particle, directly modifying verbs of motion like 動く (ugoku).
ぴくんぴくん + verb
Casual adverbial form without a particle, often used in spoken Japanese to modify a verb.
How to Use
Common Phrases
耳がぴくんぴくん動く
ears twitch repeatedly
まぶたがピクンピクンする
eyelid twitches repeatedly
血管がピクンピクンする
vein throbs
尻尾がぴくんぴくん揺れる
tail twitches back and forth
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Human Body (Eyelids, Veins) | Neutral to Negative | Often implies physical fatigue (eyelid spasms) or suppressed anger (veins popping/throbbing). |
| Animals (Ears, Tails) | Neutral to Positive | Portrays a cute or alert reaction to a sound or object of interest. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴくん ぴくん / similar | Use when there is only a single, sudden twitch or startle. | It does not imply a continuous or repeating motion. | 肩がピクンと動いた |
ぴくり ぴくり / similar | Use to emphasize a very slight, single reaction. Often used in the negative (ピクリともしない) meaning 'doesn't even twitch.' | It does not describe a repeating, ongoing spasm. | ピクリとも動かない |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe someone trembling from the cold.
Use ぶるぶる (buruburu) for shivering from cold. ぴくんぴくん is for isolated muscle twitches.
Using it for a single sudden jump in surprise.
For a single startle or jump, use ビクッ (biku) or ピクン (pikun) instead.
Examples
Examples
犬が寝ながら耳をぴくんぴくんと動かしている。
いぬがねながらみみをぴくんぴくんとうごかしている。
The dog is twitching its ears repeatedly while sleeping.
VisualDescribes a reflex animal movement.
パソコンの使いすぎで、右のまぶたがピクンピクンする。
ぱそこんのつかいすぎで、みぎのまぶたがピクンピクンする。
My right eyelid is twitching repeatedly from using the computer too much.
LiteralLiterally describes a muscle twitch.
彼は怒りをこらえており、こめかみの血管がピクンピクンしていた。
かれはいかりをこらえており、こめかみのけっかんがピクンピクンしていた。
He was holding back his anger, and the vein on his temple was throbbing.
FigurativeDescribes a throbbing vein due to anger.
釣竿の先がぴくんぴくんと揺れて、魚がかかったことを知らせた。
つりざおのさきがぴくんぴくんとゆれて、さかながかかったことをしらせた。
The tip of the fishing rod twitched repeatedly, signaling a fish was on the line.
VisualThe twitching movement of a fishing rod.
驚いた猫の尻尾が、生き物のようにぴくんぴくん動いている。
おどろいたねこのしっぽが、いきもののようにぴくんぴくんうごいている。
The surprised cat's tail is twitching like a living creature.
VisualThe responsive movement of an animal's tail.
Similar Words
ピクン
pikun
Indicates a single twitch or jerk.
ピクリ
pikuri
A word describing a single, very slight and sudden movement, such as a muscle twitch or a quick reflex. Indicates a very slight reaction, often used in the negative to mean 'not moving at all'.
ピクッと
pikutto
A sudden, small, and quick physical movement, such as a muscle twitch or a slight startled jerk.
Questions
What is the difference between ぴくんぴくん and ピクン?
ピクン refers to a single twitch or jerk, while ぴくんぴくん indicates that the twitching is repeating multiple times.
Can I write it in katakana?
Yes, ピクンピクン in katakana is very common, especially when emphasizing the biological or involuntary nature of the muscle spasm.
Can this word describe shaking from fear?
No. To describe trembling from fear, you should use ビクビク (bikubiku) or ぶるぶる (buruburu).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2520800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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