Entry
わくわく
wakuwaku
Wakuwaku means to be positively excited, thrilled, and happily anticipating something.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Wakuwaku describes the feeling of bubbling excitement and joy when anticipating or experiencing something highly enjoyable. It conveys a positive, lighthearted thrill where one's heart flutters with pure happiness.
- Anticipation / Looking Forward
- Excitement / Thrill
Sense Map
Anticipation
Feeling happy and excited because something good is going to happen.
明日の遠足がわくわくする。
Excitement / Thrill
Experiencing a bubbling, joyful feeling of excitement.
わくわくするような冒険。
Usage Note
How to Use
わくわくする
Used as a verb to state that you feel excited.
わくわくしている
Expresses the ongoing state of being excited.
わくわくした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as excited or exciting, like 'an excited face' (wakuwaku shita kao).
わくわくしながら + verb
Doing an action while feeling excited.
How to Use
Common Phrases
わくわくする
to be excited / thrilled
わくわくしながら待つ
to wait excitedly
胸がわくわくする
one's heart flutters with excitement
わくわくした気持ち
excited feelings
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Traveling or events | positive | Used heavily when packing, planning, or right before a fun trip or event. |
| New experiences | positive | Expresses the joyful curiosity of trying something new or going somewhere unknown. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
はらはら はらはら / contrast | When feeling nervous, anxious, or kept in suspense fearing something bad might happen. | 'Wakuwaku' is positive excitement; 'harahara' is anxious suspense or worry. | ハラハラしながら見守る |
ぞくぞく ぞくぞく / contrast | When feeling a physical chill or shudder, often from fear, cold, or intense awe. | 'Wakuwaku' is lighthearted joy; 'zokuzoku' involves a physical thrill or shivering. | 恐怖でぞくぞくする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'wakuwaku' when nervous about a test or job interview.
'Wakuwaku' is almost always positive. For negative nervousness, use 'dokidoki' or 'kinchou suru'.
Using it to describe a thrilling but scary horror movie.
For fear-inducing thrills, 'zokuzoku' or 'dokidoki' are more natural. 'Wakuwaku' implies joyful excitement.
Examples
Examples
明日の旅行が楽しみで、わくわくしています。
あした の りょこう が たのしみ で、 わくわく して います。
I am so looking forward to tomorrow's trip, I'm feeling excited.
LiteralShows anticipation right before an awaited event.
プレゼントの箱を開けるとき、いつもわくわくする。
プレゼント の はこ を あける とき、 いつも わくわく する。
I always feel excited when opening a present box.
LiteralDescribes pure excitement when about to discover something good.
子供たちはわくわくした顔でサンタクロースを待っていた。
こどもたち は わくわく した かお で サンタクロース を まって いた。
The children waited for Santa Claus with excited faces.
VisualExcitement that is clearly visible in a joyful facial expression.
新しいプロジェクトにわくわくしながら取り組んでいる。
あたらしい プロジェクト に わくわく しながら とりくんで いる。
I am working on the new project with a feeling of excitement.
FigurativeTackling a task driven by a positive emotional boost.
この映画はわくわくするような冒険がたくさんある。
この えいが は わくわく する ような ぼうけん が たくさん ある。
This movie has a lot of thrilling adventures.
FigurativeDescribing something that imparts a sense of joy and thrill when experienced.
Similar Words
ぞくぞく
zokuzoku
ぞくぞく describes the physical sensation of shivering or a chill going down one's spine due to cold, fever, fear, or intense excitement. Zokuzoku is used for intense, physical thrills or shivering, not just joyful anticipation.
ハラハラ
harahara
Feeling nervous suspense, or the visual state of light objects like tears, leaves, or petals fluttering down. Unlike wakuwaku, harahara is anxious suspense about something bad that might happen.
ビクビク
bikubiku
Describes a state of being nervous, afraid, or trembling in anticipation of something bad happening.
Questions
Can I use 'wakuwaku' when I am nervous about a job interview?
No, 'wakuwaku' implies positive excitement. Use 'dokidoki' or 'kinchou' for nervous anxiety.
What is the difference between 'wakuwaku' and 'dokidoki'?
'Wakuwaku' is purely positive joyful anticipation. 'Dokidoki' describes a fast heartbeat and can be positive (love, surprise) or negative (fear, anxiety).
Should I write it in hiragana or katakana?
Both are common. Hiragana (わくわく) feels slightly softer, while katakana (ワクワク) emphasizes the energy and excitement.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1013310
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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