Entry
うじょうじょ
ujoujo
Many small creatures crawling or wriggling together in one place.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term describes the sight of many small insects or creatures gathered together and moving, crawling, or wriggling continuously in a collective mass.
- Movement of small creatures
- Swarming insects
Sense Map
Insects
Many small insects crawling or emerging from a spot.
石の下からアリがうじょうじょ出てきた
Wriggling Motion
Living things wriggling or squirming in large numbers.
釣りあげたドジョウがうじょうじょ動いている
Usage Note
How to Use
うじょうじょする
Used as a verb to describe the state of many creatures crawling about.
うじょうじょと
Used as an adverb to describe the manner in which creatures move or emerge.
うじょうじょ
Used as a verb to describe the state of many creatures crawling about.
How to Use
Common Phrases
アリがうじょうじょ
Ants swarming everywhere
虫がうじょうじょ
Insects crawling in a mass
うじょうじょ湧く
To swarm out in great numbers
うじょうじょ這う
To crawl in large numbers
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Nature | Neutral | Used to describe natural scenes like ants under a rock. |
| Cleanliness | Negative | Used when insects are found in undesired places, implying a sense of disgust. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うじゃうじゃ うじゃうじゃ / similar | Used when emphasizing an unpleasant feeling caused by an excessive number of objects or people. | Ujoujo specifically highlights the wriggling or crawling movement of small living things. | 蚊がうじゃうじゃいる |
うようよ うようよ / similar | Used for larger creatures or a crowd of people moving aimlessly. | Ujoujo is reserved for very small creatures like bugs or worms. | 人がうようよしている |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for inanimate objects.
Only use it for living organisms that can crawl or wriggle.
Using it for a single animal.
It must be used for a large group or swarm.
Examples
Examples
石の下からアリがうじょうじょ出てきた。
いしのしたからありかうじょうじょでてきた。
Ants came swarming out from under the rock.
LiteralDescribes a realistic scene when an ant nest is disturbed.
春先は虫があちこちでうじょうじょしている。
はるさきはむしがあちこちでうじょうじょしている。
In early spring, insects are wriggling everywhere.
LiteralExplains how many insects become active as the season changes.
釣りあげたドジョウがうじょうじょと動いている。
つりあげたどじょうがうじょうじょとうごいている。
The caught loaches are wriggling all over each other.
VisualFocuses on the wriggling motion of many small fish in a container.
腕の上をうじょうじょと虫が這っていた。
うでのうえをうじょうじょとむしがはっていた。
Many insects were crawling on my arm.
VisualShows the squeamish feeling when many small creatures crawl on the body.
潰してもキリがなくうじょうじょと湧いてくる。
つぶしてもきりなくうじょうじょとわいてくる。
Even if you crush them, they keep swarming out endlessly.
LiteralDescribes a frustrating situation where insects keep appearing.
Similar Words
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. Used when emphasizing an unpleasant feeling caused by an excessive number of objects or people. Ujoujo specifically highlights the wriggling or crawling movement of small living things.
うようよ
uyouyo
Describes a visual state where a large number of small, often unpleasant things are gathered and continuously moving. Used for larger creatures or a crowd of people moving aimlessly. Ujoujo is reserved for very small creatures like bugs or worms.
Questions
How is it different from ujauja?
Ujauja emphasizes the quantity and the speaker's annoyance, while ujoujo focuses on the visual crawling movement.
Can I use it for people?
Generally no; it is specifically for small animals or insects.
Does it always imply something gross?
Not strictly, but it often describes scenes that make people feel squeamish due to the swarming motion.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 889626743
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- goiryoku.com/onomatopoeia/uzyouzyo/
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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