Entry
ざわざわ
zawazawa
A low murmur of many people, rustling leaves, or an uneasy chill that will not settle.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word covers several related uses. First, many people talking at once in a low mix, so the words are hard to catch, as in a hall or a classroom. Second, leaves, branches, or a water surface rubbing and shivering. Third, a chest that feels uneasy because of a bad feeling. Fourth, a chill running up the back or skin. All of those uses stay inside the glosses: hubbub, rustling, and a chill.
- A low murmur from a crowd.
- Leaves, branches, or water rustling.
- An uneasy chest.
- A chill on the back or skin.
Sense Map
Crowd Murmur
Used when many people talk at once in a low mix, so separate conversations are hard to pick out.
会場がざわざわしている。
Nature Rustling
Used when leaves, branches, or a water surface rub and shiver in the wind.
木の葉がざわざわと鳴る。
Uneasy Chest
Used when the chest feels unsettled because of a bad feeling or troubling news.
胸がざわざわする。
A Chill
Used when the back or skin feels cold, as if goosebumps are rising from fear or fever.
背中がざわざわする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ざわざわする
Marks a place full of murmuring, a chest that feels uneasy, or a body that has a chill.
ざわざわと + verb
Marks how leaves, branches, or water sound and shiver.
ざわざわした + noun
Describes an atmosphere, hall, or classroom that is already full of murmuring and not calm.
ざわざわしている
Marks an ongoing state: the crowd is still murmuring, or the chest is still uneasy.
How to Use
Common Phrases
会場がざわざわする
the hall fills with murmuring
木の葉がざわざわと鳴る
the leaves rustle in the wind
胸がざわざわする
the chest feels uneasy
ざわざわした雰囲気
a restless, murmuring atmosphere
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd noise | Neutral | A continuous low ambient mix where separate conversations cannot be picked out. |
| An uneasy chest | Negative | A bodily reaction to a bad feeling, usually in the chest, not a sharp stomach pain. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がやがや がやがや / similar | Used when many people talk loudly and clearly, so the chatter feels lively. | This word is lower and blurrier: a murmur whose words are hard to catch. Not loud, lively talk. | 教室ががやがやしている。 |
わいわい わいわい / contrast | Used for a festive racket, happy shouting, or a child crying loudly. | This word is not cheerful shouting. The murmur here is low, spread out, and often uneasy. | みんなでわいわい盛り上がる。 |
さわさわ さわさわ / contrast | Used for a soft, light, peaceful rustle of grass, leaves, or cloth. | The rustle here feels more restless, or it joins a crowd murmur. Not a calming whisper of plants. | 風で草がさわさわ鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for happy excitement.
The impression here tends toward unease or worry. For happy anticipation, choose a word that marks a heart beating with hope.
Using this word for loud music or noisy machines.
This word is for a blurry murmur, background rustling, or a chill. For a loud clear sound, choose another word.
Examples
Examples
会場がざわざわしている。
かいじょうがざわざわしている。
The hall is filled with a low murmur.
LiteralMany people talking at once in a low mix, not a festive shout.
風で木の葉がざわざわと鳴る。
かぜできのはがざわざわとなる。
The leaves rustle in the wind.
LiteralLeaves rubbing in the wind, not a soft peaceful rustle.
嫌な予感がして胸がざわざわする。
いやなよかんがしてむねがざわざわする。
A bad feeling comes, and the chest feels uneasy.
FigurativeA chest that will not settle because of a bad feeling, not happy anticipation.
湖面が風でざわざわと揺れた。
こめんがかぜでざわざわとゆれた。
The lake surface shivered in the wind.
VisualA water surface shivering, matching the ripple gloss, not a large wave.
背中がざわざわして寒気がした。
せなかがざわざわしてさむけがした。
The back felt a chill, then a cold shiver came.
VisualA chill creeping up the back, not stomach pain.
Similar Words
がやがや
gayagaya
The bustling sound of many people talking all at once, creating a noisy atmosphere. Louder, clearer crowd talk. Not a low murmur whose words stay blurry.
ワイワイ
waiwai
This word describes the loud, energetic noise of many people having fun, persistently complaining, or crying loudly. A festive racket or happy shouting. Not a low spread-out murmur.
さわさわ
sawasawa
Sawasawa describes a soft, gentle rustling sound, such as leaves in the wind or the rubbing of soft fabric. A soft peaceful rustle of grass, leaves, or cloth. Not a restless rub or a crowd murmur.
Questions
Can this word be used for happy excitement?
Usually no. It carries unease, worry, or restlessness. For happy anticipation, choose a word that marks a heart beating with hope.
How is it different from louder crowd talk?
This word marks a low murmur whose words are hard to separate. Louder crowd talk is clearer, livelier, and often noisier.
Can this word be used for stomach pain?
No. The body use marks an uneasy chest or a chill on the skin. It is not a word for sharp stomach pain.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1005430
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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