Entry
わなわな
wanawana
Describes trembling or quivering uncontrollably due to intense negative emotions like deep fear, anger, or shock.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to depict the physical state of shaking or shivering involuntarily when overwhelmed by profound emotion, especially terror, suppressed rage, or extreme shock. Unlike shivering from the cold, this reaction is purely psychological in origin.
- Trembling all over due to fear or shock.
- Lips or voice quivering from suppressed anger.
Sense Map
Trembling from Fear/Shock
Describes the entire body shaking violently when faced with something terrifying or completely unexpected.
恐怖でわなわなと震える。
Quivering from Anger
Describes lips, voice, or body shaking due to holding back an immense amount of rage.
怒りで唇がわなわなする。
Usage Note
How to Use
わなわなと震える
Adverbial form modifying 'furueru' (to tremble). Often used together for emphasis.
わなわなする
Functions as a suru-verb indicating the state of trembling.
わなわなしながら + verb
Describes performing an action while in a trembling state.
How to Use
Common Phrases
わなわなと震える
to tremble violently
怒りでわなわなする
to tremble with anger
恐怖でわなわなと震えだす
to start shaking with fear
唇がわなわなする
lips are quivering
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fear | negative | Indicates fear so profound that the body loses control. |
| Anger | negative | Often used to describe anger being held back with great effort, typically visible in quivering lips. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶるぶる ぶるぶる / similar | Used for general shivering, including from cold temperatures. | わなわな is never used for feeling cold; it is strictly for intense emotional reactions. | 寒さでぶるぶる震える。 |
がくがく がくがく / similar | Focuses on joints (like knees) giving way or teeth chattering. | Emphasizes the mechanical movement or sound of bones/joints rather than the fine, whole-body or lip quivering of わなわな. | 膝がガクガクする。 |
おどおど おどおど / similar | Used for nervous, timid, or socially anxious behavior. | This is about hesitant behavior due to a lack of confidence, not extreme physical shaking. | 面接でオドオドする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'wanawana' when feeling cold in winter.
Use 'buruburu' for cold. 'Wanawana' is only for extreme emotions like fear or rage.
Using it for mild nervousness before a test.
'Wanawana' is too dramatic for everyday nervousness. It's better to use 'dokidoki' (heart pounding) or 'sovasova' (restless).
Examples
Examples
彼は怒りのあまり、唇をわなわなと震わせていた。
かれはいかりのあまり、くちびるをわなわなとふるわせていた。
He was so angry that his lips were quivering violently.
VisualA classic example expressing suppressed anger visible on the lips.
幽霊の話を聞いて、子供たちは恐怖でわなわなと震えだした。
ゆうれいのはなしをきいて、こどもたちはきょうふでわなわなとふるえだした。
Hearing the ghost story, the children began to shake with fear.
LiteralShows physical trembling due to intense fear.
その知らせを聞いた瞬間、彼女はショックでわなわなと震えた。
そのしらせをきいたしゅんかん、かのじょはショックでわなわなとふるえた。
The moment she heard the news, she trembled with shock.
FigurativeDescribes a reaction to a very sudden psychological shock.
寒さではなく、恐ろしさで体がわなわなする。
さむさではなく、おそろしさでからだがわなわなする。
My body is trembling not from the cold, but from terror.
LiteralEmphasizes that the trembling is purely for psychological reasons (terror).
犯人を前にして、被害者の父親はわなわなしながら立ち上がった。
はんにんをまえにして、ひがいしゃのちちおやはわなわなしながらたちあがった。
Facing the culprit, the victim's father stood up, trembling (with emotion).
LiteralShows an action being performed amidst extreme emotion.
Similar Words
ぶるぶる
buruburu
This word describes a continuous, rapid trembling or shivering of the body or an object, usually due to cold, fear, or mechanical vibration. Both mean trembling, but ぶるぶる can be for cold, while わなわな is strictly emotional.
ガクガク
gakugaku
Describes heavy physical trembling or objects shaking and wobbling because they are loose. Focuses on joints like knees or teeth chattering from fear or cold.
オドオド
odoodo
Describes a nervous and hesitant behavior caused by fear or a lack of self-confidence. Nervousness from a lack of confidence, not a dramatic physical trembling.
Questions
Can わなわな be used for positive excitement?
No, this word is exclusively reserved for intense negative emotions (fear, anger, shock).
What is the difference between it and ぶるぶる (buruburu)?
ぶるぶる can be used for shivering from the cold, whereas わなわな is strictly for trembling due to strong psychological emotions.
Which body parts are usually described as わなわな?
The whole body, the lips (when angry), or the knees (when terrified).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2086520
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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