Entry
ピクピク
pikupiku
ピクピク describes a small, involuntary, and repeated twitching movement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word expresses the visual and physical sensation of small, localized spasms. It is most commonly used to describe involuntary muscle twitches, such as a spasming eyelid, or the quick, responsive movements of an animal's nose or ears.
- involuntary muscle twitch
- animal ear or nose movement
Sense Map
Muscle Twitching
Used for small, involuntary spasms in body parts like eyelids, cheeks, or muscles.
まぶたがピクピクする。
Animal Movements
Used for the quick, responsive twitching of an animal's ears, nose, or tail.
犬が耳をピクピク動かす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ピクピクする
Used as a verb to state that something is twitching.
ピクピクと動く
ピクピク動かす
ピクピクさせる
How to Use
Common Phrases
まぶたがピクピクする
one's eyelid twitches
耳をピクピクさせる
to twitch one's ears
鼻がピクピク動く
a nose twitches
筋肉がピクピクする
a muscle spasms
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Human body parts (eyelids, lips) | neutral | Usually indicates fatigue, stress, or a natural involuntary reflex. |
| Animal body parts (ears, nose) | positive | Often sounds cute and indicates the animal is alert or reacting to a sound/smell. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひくひく ひくひく / similar | Used for softer, more subtle twitching, often associated with a nose sniffing or crying. | Not used as much for general muscle spasms. | 鼻をひくひくさせる |
びくびく びくびく / similar | Used to describe trembling or shivering due to fear or nervousness. | Does not describe a physical muscle twitch, but an emotional state of fear. | ビクビクしながら待つ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for full-body seizures.
Use けいれん (keiren) for medical seizures; ピクピク is for small, localized twitches.
Using it to mean shaking from the cold.
Use ぶるぶる (buruburu) or ガタガタ (gatagata) for shivering from cold.
Examples
Examples
疲れているのか、右のまぶたがピクピクする。
つかれているのか、みぎのまぶたがピクピクする。
My right eyelid is twitching, maybe because I'm tired.
LiteralFocuses on involuntary muscle movement due to fatigue.
ウサギが小さな音に反応して、耳をピクピクと動かした。
ウサギがちいさなおとにはんのうして、みみをピクピクとうごかした。
The rabbit twitched its ears in response to a small sound.
VisualShows an animal reacting to a stimulus with its ears.
食べ物の匂いがしたのか、犬の鼻がピクピクしている。
たべもののにおいがしたのか、いぬのはながピクピクしている。
The dog's nose is twitching, maybe because it smelled food.
VisualA common expression for an animal actively sniffing.
釣ったばかりの魚が、まだピクピクと動いている。
つったばかりのさかなが、まだピクピクとうごいている。
The freshly caught fish is still twitching.
LiteralEmphasizes small, residual muscular twitches.
彼は笑顔だったが、怒りで頬がピクピクしていた。
かれはえがおだったが、いかりでほおがピクピクしていた。
He was smiling, but his cheek was twitching with anger.
FigurativeUsed to show suppressed strong emotions, like anger, leaking out physically.
Similar Words
ひくひく
hikuhiku
A word describing continuous, slight twitching or quivering movements, like a nose sniffing or a small muscle spasm. For softer twitches, typically a nose moving when sniffing or crying.
ビクビク
bikubiku
Describes a state of being nervous, afraid, or trembling in anticipation of something bad happening. Indicates trembling or shivering from fear, not just a physical muscle twitch.
Questions
Can I use ピクピク for a heart beating?
No, a beating heart is typically described with ドキドキ (dokidoki). ピクピク is for surface-level muscle twitches.
Is ピクピク a medical term?
No, it is a casual, everyday word. Doctors would use words like 痙攣 (keiren) for a spasm.
What is the difference between ピクピク and ビクビク?
ピクピク is a physical muscle twitch, while ビクビク means trembling from fear.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2520790
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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