Entry
やいやい
yaiyai
This word describes nagging, demanding, or pressuring someone persistently and noisily.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A word used when someone is persistently and noisily demanding, pressing, or complaining about something. It can also be used as a rough, informal interjection like 'hey!' or 'oi!' to grab attention or reprimand someone aggressively.
- persistent nagging
- demanding
- rough interjection
Sense Map
Nagging / Demanding
Pressuring, demanding, or nagging noisily and persistently.
親にやいやい言われる。
Rough Interjection
A spontaneous shout to call out or reprimand someone roughly.
やいやい、待て。
Usage Note
How to Use
やいやい言う
Used to express that someone is nagging or commenting a lot about something without stopping.
やいやい（と） + verb
Describes the act of pressing or demanding verbally (e.g., pressuring someone to hurry).
やいやい (as an interjection)
Stands alone at the beginning of a sentence or utterance to call out, stop, or reprimand someone roughly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
やいやい言う
to nag persistently
やいやい急かす
to rush someone persistently
やいやい文句を言う
to complain endlessly
やいやい騒ぐ
to make a noisy fuss
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Complaining or demanding. | negative | Shows that the action is highly annoying and exhausting for the listener. |
| Calling out to someone. | negative | Sounds confrontational, like picking a fight or reprimanding roughly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がみがみ がみがみ / similar | Focuses on angry, loud scolding, usually from an older person or an authority figure. | やいやい focuses more on the repetitive, annoying, and pressing nature of the demands or nagging. | がみがみ怒る。 |
とやかく とやかく / similar | Focuses on making unnecessary comments or interfering with 'this and that'. | やいやい emphasizes the noisy and pressing nature of the complaints or demands. | とやかく言うな。 |
おいおい おいおい / similar | As an interjection to stop someone or ask them to wait or calm down ('hey hey, wait a minute'). | やいやい as an interjection sounds rougher, angrier, and more confrontational. | おいおい、嘘だろう。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using やいやい for physical pressing or pushing.
It is only used for verbal pressing, demanding, or nagging.
Using it to call a waiter in a restaurant because it means 'hey'.
It is very rude and aggressive. Use 'すみません' (sumimasen) instead.
Examples
Examples
親にやいやい言われるのはもううんざりだ。
おやにやいやいいわれるのはもううんざりだ。
I'm sick of being constantly nagged by my parents.
LiteralShows annoyance toward constant verbal nagging.
早くしろと、やいやい急かさないでください。
はやくしろと、やいやいせかさないでください。
Please don't constantly pressure me to hurry up.
LiteralDescribes verbal pressure to make someone move faster.
「やいやい、勝手にどこへ行く気だ」と彼が叫んだ。
「やいやい、かってにどこへいくきだ」とかれがさけんだ。
"Hey hey, where do you think you're going?" he shouted.
LiteralUsed as a rough interjection to stop someone.
過ぎたことを今さらやいやい騒いでも仕方がない。
すぎたことをいまさらやいやいさわいでもしかたがない。
There's no point in making a fuss over things that have already passed.
FigurativeDescribes verbal commotion over an issue that is already over.
周りの人にやいやい文句を言われても、自分のやり方を貫く。
まわりのひとにやいやいもんくをいわれても、じぶんのやりかたをつらぬく。
Even if the people around me constantly complain, I will stick to my own way.
LiteralShows repetitive complaints or negative comments from others.
Similar Words
とやかく
toyakaku
Both involve interfering, but とやかく focuses on unnecessary comments about various things.
おいおい
oioi
This word is used as a casual interjection to stop someone or express surprise, and also as a sound word for loud crying. Both can be interjections, but おいおい functions more to stop or warn someone.
ガミガミ
gamigami
Describing the manner of scolding or complaining in a sharp, persistent, and annoying way. Both mean nagging, but がみがみ focuses more on anger and loud voices.
Questions
Can I use やいやい with my boss or a teacher?
No, it is highly informal and impolite. It is usually used to talk about someone who is annoying you, or used directly only toward subordinates or close friends when you are angry.
What is the difference between やいやい and loud scolding?
Loud scolding often focuses on sudden anger, while やいやい is noisy, repetitive nagging, complaining, or demanding.
Does やいやい always mean someone is angry?
Not always. Sometimes it just means someone is being very noisy, talkative, or pushy, though it still feels annoying to the listener.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2222840
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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