Entry
ワイワイ
waiwai
This word describes the loud, energetic noise of many people having fun, persistently complaining, or crying loudly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Waiwai is a mimetic word (onomatopoeia) that represents the clamor of human voices. It is most commonly used to depict a lively, boisterous atmosphere where a group of people is chatting, partying, or having fun together. It can also describe the annoying noise of people persistently complaining or making a fuss, as well as the loud, continuous crying of a child.
- Lively noise of people gathering
- Persistent complaining or fussing
- Loud crying or bawling
Sense Map
Partying or Gathering
Describes a lively, noisy, and fun atmosphere where many people are gathered and enjoying themselves.
みんなでワイワイ騒ぐ
Persistent Complaining
Describes the sound of people loudly and persistently complaining, pestering, or making a fuss about something.
周りがワイワイ言う
Loud Crying
Describes the sound of a child or baby crying loudly, bawling, or wailing continuously.
子供がワイワイ泣く
Usage Note
How to Use
ワイワイする
ワイワイ（と）
ワイワイ + Verb (騒ぐ, 言う, 泣く)
How to Use
Common Phrases
ワイワイ騒ぐ
To make a racket / to party boisterously
ワイワイ言う
To complain noisily / to make a fuss
みんなでワイワイ
Having fun noisily together with everyone
ワイワイ泣く
To bawl / to cry loudly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Parties and get-togethers | Positive | Indicates a vibrant, fun, and warm atmosphere among friends. |
| Complaining or arguing | Negative | Implies that the people are being demanding, nagging, or making an unnecessary fuss. |
| Children crying | Neutral to Negative | Emphasizes the loud, persistent nature of a child's tantrum or bawling. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がやがや がやがや / similar | Use gayagaya to describe the ambient hubbub or background chatter of a crowd, like in a busy restaurant or a noisy classroom. | Waiwai implies active participation, excitement, or direct complaining, whereas gayagaya is just the ambient noise of many people talking at once without a specific focus on their emotions. | 教室ががやがやしている。 |
わんわん わんわん / similar | Use wanwan to specifically emphasize the loud, roaring sound of someone crying (or a dog barking). | Wanwan is strictly for crying or barking, while waiwai can also be used for partying, chatting, or complaining. | ワンワンと泣き叫ぶ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Assuming it just means 'annoyingly loud'.
While it can be annoying when people are complaining, waiwai is very frequently used with a positive nuance to describe friends having a great time together.
Using it for loud music, traffic, or machines.
Waiwai is only used for the clamor of human voices.
Examples
Examples
休日は友達と集まってワイワイ騒ぐのが好きです。
きゅうじつ は ともだち と あつまって ワイワイ さわぐ の が すき です。
I like getting together and partying boisterously with friends on my days off.
FigurativeDescribes a lively and fun atmosphere.
子供がワイワイ泣いているので、ご近所に迷惑がかからないか心配だ。
こども が ワイワイ ないている ので、 ごきんじょ に めいわく が かからない か しんぱい だ。
The child is crying loudly, so I'm worried it will bother the neighbors.
LiteralIndicates loud and noisy crying.
みんなでワイワイとバーベキューの準備をした。
みんな で ワイワイ と バーベキュー の じゅんび を した。
We all noisily and happily prepared for the barbecue together.
LiteralShows cooperation in a cheerful atmosphere.
周りでワイワイ言われると、集中して仕事ができない。
まわり で ワイワイ いわれる と、 しゅうちゅう して しごと が できない。
I can't concentrate on my work when people around me are complaining noisily.
Literalワイワイ言う is used for annoying complaints.
新しいプロジェクトについて、チームでワイワイ議論した。
あたらしい プロジェクト について、 チーム で ワイワイ ぎろん した。
The team had a lively and noisy discussion about the new project.
FigurativeIndicates an active and lively discussion with many people talking.
Similar Words
ワンワン
wanwan
ワンワン (wanwan) is the sound of a dog barking repeatedly or the sound of someone crying and bawling loudly. Specifically for emphasizing a loud crying sound.
がやがや
gayagaya
Describes the noisy, overlapping sound of many people talking at the same time. Indicates general crowd noise without focus on interaction or emotion.
Questions
Can I use ワイワイ for the sound of a noisy engine?
No. ワイワイ is strictly reserved for human vocal noises, such as chatting, laughing, complaining, or crying.
What is the difference between ワイワイ and うるさい (urusai)?
Urusai is an adjective that simply means 'noisy' or 'annoying'. ワイワイ is an adverb that describes the lively or chaotic manner of human voices. Furthermore, ワイワイ can be positive (friends having fun), whereas うるさい is inherently negative.
Can I use ワイワイ to describe just one person?
Usually, it describes a group of people. The exceptions are when a single baby is crying loudly or when one person is persistently complaining at you, though even then, it often feels like multiple voices.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1013300
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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