Entry
うじゃうじゃ
ujauja
Describes a large number of things or people swarming together, or doing something in a slow, tedious, and complaining manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is primarily used to describe a scene where many small things (like insects) or people are gathered in one place, often conveying a sense of discomfort or being overwhelmed. It can also describe a person's behavior when they are taking too long to do something or are persistently grumbling.
- A large number of things or people swarming in one place.
- Doing things slowly or complaining in a tedious way.
Sense Map
Swarming
Many small things or people gathered together in a confined space, often with a slightly creepy or overwhelming nuance.
Ants swarming over dropped candy.
Behavior
Acting slowly or mumbling complaints in a way that is annoying to others.
Grumbling about the task forever.
Usage Note
How to Use
うじゃうじゃ（と）いる
Used to state the presence of a large, swarming number of things or people.
うじゃうじゃ（と）する
Describes a state of being crowded or a person's specific behavior.
うじゃうじゃ（と）言う
Specifically used for mumbling complaints or grumbling tediously.
How to Use
Common Phrases
うじゃうじゃいる
To be swarming with
うじゃうじゃ湧く
To appear in swarms
うじゃうじゃ文句を言う
To grumble tediously
人がうじゃうじゃしている
People are swarming around
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Insects or pests | negative | Expresses a sense of revulsion at the large quantity. |
| Crowded public places | neutral/negative | Conveys feeling overwhelmed by too many people. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うようよ うようよ / similar | Used for a large number of things moving around. | Ujauja emphasizes the density and unpleasantness more than uyouyo. | Small fish swarming in the water. |
ぐずぐず ぐずぐず / similar | Used when someone is being slow to act or decide. | Guzuguzu focuses on the delay in action, while ujauja (behavioral) focuses on the tedious mumbling or slowness. | Stop dawdling and get ready. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a happy crowd.
Avoid using ujauja for positive gatherings, as it often implies a sense of disgust or annoyance.
Thinking it only applies to bugs.
While common for bugs, it is frequently used for crowds of people that feel overwhelming.
Examples
Examples
公園の古い木に虫がうじゃうじゃいて、気持ち悪かった。
こうえんのふるいきにむしがうじゃうじゃいて、きもちわるかった。
There were insects swarming all over the old tree in the park, and it was gross.
VisualDescribes a scene with many insects that causes discomfort.
連休中の駅前は、人がうじゃうじゃしていて歩くのが大変だ。
れんきゅうちゅうのえきまえは、ひとがうじゃうじゃしていてあるくのがたいへんだ。
The area in front of the station during the long holiday was swarming with people, making it hard to walk.
LiteralShows a situation where a public place is too crowded.
いつまでもうじゃうじゃと文句を言うのはやめなさい。
いつまでもうじゃうじゃともんくをいうのはやめなさい。
Stop grumbling and complaining so tediously.
FigurativeUsed for someone's behavior of complaining excessively.
砂糖を出しっぱなしにすると、アリがうじゃうじゃ湧いてくるよ。
さとうをだしっぱなしにすると、ありがうじゃうじゃわいてくるよ。
If you leave the sugar out, ants will come swarming in.
VisualA warning about many insects appearing.
そんなことをうじゃうじゃ考えていても時間の無駄だ。
そんなことをうじゃうじゃかんがえていてもじかんのむだだ。
It's a waste of time to keep overthinking those things so tediously.
FigurativeShows a slow and unproductive thinking process.
Similar Words
うようよ
uyouyo
Describes a visual state where a large number of small, often unpleasant things are gathered and continuously moving. Also means swarming, but ujauja feels more dense and disgusting.
くどくど
kudokudo
Speaking or explaining something in an annoyingly repetitive and excessively long manner.
ぐずぐず
guzuguzu
Describes a state of being slow to act due to hesitation or laziness, as well as the act of complaining or muttering. Similar in the context of slow behavior.
Questions
Is ujauja always negative?
Yes, it almost always carries a sense of discomfort, annoyance, or disgust.
How is it different from uyouyo?
They are very close, but ujauja often feels more dense and overwhelming.
Can I use it for a busy sale at a shop?
You could if you want to emphasize how annoyingly crowded it is, but it's not a polite way to describe customers.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1000970
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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