Entry
ぴんぴん
pinpin
Describes someone who is surprisingly healthy and lively, or something jumping around vigorously.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word (gitaigo) that expresses a state of vigorous life force and health. It is frequently used to describe elderly people who are remarkably active for their age, or someone who has fully recovered from an illness. It also describes the vigorous flopping of freshly caught fish, and occasionally a high-pitched, piercing sound.
- vigorous health
- flopping energetically
- piercing sound
Sense Map
Healthy & Energetic
Used to describe vigorous health and energy, particularly when it is somewhat surprising, such as in elderly people or someone recovering from sickness.
おじいちゃんはぴんぴんしている。
Vigorous Movement
Describes the lively, energetic jumping or flopping of living things, such as freshly caught fish.
魚がぴんぴん跳ねる。
Piercing Sound
Expresses a high-pitched, penetrating, or grating noise.
ぴんぴんと響く音。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴんぴんしている
Used as a continuous state to mean 'is alive and well' or 'is full of energy'.
ぴんぴん + verb
ぴんぴんと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴんぴんしている
alive and kicking / full of life
ぴんぴん跳ねる
to jump or flop energetically
お年寄りがぴんぴんしている
elderly people being energetic
魚がぴんぴんしている
fish is lively and fresh
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Elderly People | positive | Praises their vigorous health and independence, showing admiration for their vitality. |
| Recovering from Illness | positive | Emphasizes a complete and robust recovery, often reassuring others. |
| Fresh Fish | positive | Highlights the freshness and physical vigor of the catch. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴちぴち ぴちぴち / similar | For young people bursting with youth, or lively wet fish. | While both describe energetic fish, 'pinpin' applies to the elderly for health, whereas 'pichipichi' is strictly for youth and freshness. | ぴちぴちの若い女性 |
ぴょんぴょん ぴょんぴょん / similar | For continuous light hopping or skipping (like rabbits or jumping rope). | 'Pinpin' emphasizes life force or vigorous flopping, whereas 'pyonpyon' focuses solely on the physical action of light hopping. | うさぎがぴょんぴょん跳ねる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぴんぴん to describe a naturally energetic young child running around.
It sounds unnatural. Use 元気 (genki) or 活発 (kappatsu) instead. ぴんぴん implies surprising vitality despite age, illness, or capture.
Using it for a booming explosion sound.
It is only for high-pitched, taut, or grating sounds. Use ドカン (dokan) or バンバン (banban) for explosions.
Examples
Examples
祖父は九十歳ですが、毎日散歩をしていてまだぴんぴんしています。
そふ は きゅうじゅっさい です が、 まいにち さんぽ を していて まだ ぴんぴん しています。
My grandfather is 90 years old, but he is still going strong, taking walks every day.
LiteralHighlights surprising health in old age.
大きな病気をしたと聞いたが、すっかりぴんぴんしていて安心した。
おおきな びょうき を した と きいた が、 すっかり ぴんぴん していて あんしん した。
I heard he had a serious illness, but I was relieved to see him completely recovered and full of energy.
LiteralFocuses on complete recovery from a weakened state.
釣ったばかりの魚がバケツの中でぴんぴん跳ねている。
つった ばかり の さかな が バケツ の なか で ぴんぴん はねている。
The freshly caught fish is flopping vigorously in the bucket.
VisualDescribes the physical vigor of a very fresh fish.
網にかかったエビがピンピンと勢いよく動いた。
あみ に かかった エビ が ピンピン と いきおいよく うごいた。
The shrimp caught in the net moved around vigorously.
VisualKatakana is often used to emphasize sharp, fresh movements.
ギターの弦が切れる直前、ぴんぴんと甲高い音を立てた。
ギター の げん が きれる ちょくぜん、 ぴんぴん と かんだかい おと を たてた。
Just before it snapped, the guitar string made a high-pitched, taut sound.
LiteralDescribes a high-pitched noise from something stretched taut.
Similar Words
ぴちぴち
pichipichi
Describes something bursting with fresh energy, such as jumping freshly caught fish, vibrant young people, or clothes that are bursting at the seams from being too tight. Similar when describing lively fish, but pichipichi is strongly associated with youthfulness.
ぴょんぴょん
pyonpyon
The light, repeated bouncing or hopping motion of small animals or joyful children. Both describe jumping motions, but pyonpyon is strictly for light hopping.
Questions
Can I use ぴんぴん to describe my energetic toddler?
Generally, no. It is better to use 'genki' (元気). 'Pinpin' implies vitality that defies expectations, such as an elderly person or someone just out of the hospital.
What is the difference between ぴんぴん and ぴちぴち for fish?
Both describe fresh, lively fish. 'Pichipichi' focuses slightly more on the wet, splashing sound and freshness, while 'pinpin' emphasizes the strong, taut bodily movement and life force.
Is ぴんぴん used for sounds often?
It is far less common than its usage for health and vitality, but you might encounter it describing a taut string snapping or a grating, high-pitched noise.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010960
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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