Entry
わしわし
washiwashi
Describes performing an action vigorously and roughly, such as scarfing down food, doing something with force, or a crowd talking noisily.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
わしわし (washi-washi) describes an action performed with vigorous energy and a slight roughness. It is most commonly used to describe someone chowing down on food quickly and greedily, ignoring table manners. Additionally, it can refer to strong physical actions (such as vigorously scratching one's head) or the noisy clamor of a crowd talking all at once.
- Eating vigorously
- Rough actions
- Noisy talking
Sense Map
Eating vigorously
Eating food quickly, greedily, and with great energy, often ignoring table manners.
ご飯をわしわし食べる。
Vigorous action
Performing physical actions like scratching or washing with a lot of energy and a bit of roughness.
頭をわしわしと掻く。
Noisy talking
The loud, continuous hubbub of many people talking at the same time.
人々がわしわしと話している。
Usage Note
How to Use
わしわしと + verb
Adds the particle と to modify verbs describing a vigorous or rough action.
わしわし + verb
Used directly before a verb without と, common in casual conversation.
How to Use
Common Phrases
わしわし食べる
eat eagerly / chow down
わしわしと洗う
wash vigorously
頭をわしわし掻く
scratch one's head vigorously
わしわしと話す
talk noisily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When eating | positive/neutral | Conveys a hearty appetite and enjoyment of food, though it ignores table manners. |
| Physical actions | neutral | Shows vigorous energy and slight roughness, such as forcefully scratching an itch. |
| Noisy crowd | neutral | Describes the chaotic noise of many overlapping conversations. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ざわざわ ざわざわ / similar | For a noisy commotion or a feeling of unease. | Not used for physical actions like eating or washing. | 会場がざわざわする |
がやがや がやがや / similar | Specifically for the clamorous sound of a crowd talking. | Strictly for voices, not physical actions like eating. | がやがやと話す |
がしがし がしがし / similar | For scrubbing or performing an action on a hard surface. | Implies more friction and hardness, rarely used for soft food. | 汚れをガシガシ洗う |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking わしわし only means eating.
It is also frequently used for vigorous physical actions (like scratching) or noisy crowds.
Using it for polite or elegant eating.
It implies a hearty but unrefined way of eating, so avoid it in formal or elegant contexts.
Examples
Examples
お腹が空いていたので、ご飯をわしわしと食べた。
お腹（なか）が空（す）いていたので、ご飯（はん）をわしわしと食（た）べた。
I was hungry, so I scarfed down the meal eagerly.
LiteralShows a large appetite and a fast way of eating.
彼は頭をわしわしと掻きながら考え込んだ。
彼（かれ）は頭（あたま）をわしわしと掻（か）きながら考（かんが）え込（こ）んだ。
He fell into deep thought while scratching his head vigorously.
LiteralDescribes rough and vigorous friction.
お風呂で髪をわしわしと洗う。
お風（ふ）呂（ろ）で髪（かみ）をわしわしと洗（あら）う。
Washing hair vigorously in the bath.
LiteralShows full energy when cleaning something.
広場で大勢の人がわしわしと話している。
広場（ひろば）で大勢（おおぜい）の人（ひと）がわしわしと話（はな）している。
A large crowd of people is talking noisily in the plaza.
LiteralDescribes the volume and density of people's voices.
大きなパンをわしわしと頬張る。
大（おお）きなパンをわしわしと頬張（ほおば）る。
Vigorously stuffing a large piece of bread into one's mouth.
LiteralShows the enthusiasm of enjoying a large piece of food.
Similar Words
ガシガシ
gashigashi
Describes doing something with rough, energetic, and unhesitating vigor. Rough physical action
がぶがぶ
gabugabu
Describes the sound or action of drinking large amounts of liquid vigorously and repeatedly.
ざわざわ
zawazawa
Zawazawa describes the murmuring sound of a crowd, rustling leaves, or a feeling of unease and chills. Murmuring of a crowd
がやがや
gayagaya
Describes the noisy, overlapping sound of many people talking at the same time. Noisy talking crowd
Questions
Does washi-washi only mean eating?
No, while often used for eating vigorously, it also describes rough physical actions (like scratching one's head) or noisy crowds.
Is it rude to eat 'washi-washi'?
It implies eating without paying much attention to manners, so it is casual. It often carries a positive nuance of enjoying the food, but isn't suited for formal situations.
What is the difference between washi-washi and gashi-gashi?
Both describe vigorous actions, but gashi-gashi implies harder contact (like scrubbing a hard surface), whereas washi-washi is often used for eating or softer subjects like hair.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2731360
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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