Entry
ざわざわ
zawazawa
Zawazawa describes the murmuring sound of a crowd, rustling leaves, or a feeling of unease and chills.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Zawazawa is an onomatopoeia that originally represents a continuous, low-pitched ambient noise, such as the buzzing of a gathered crowd or the rustling of leaves in the wind. It is also widely used metaphorically to describe an unsettled, anxious feeling in one's chest, or the physical sensation of getting goosebumps from fear or a fever.
- crowd murmur
- rustling leaves
- uneasy heart
- chills
Sense Map
Crowd Noise
Describes the low murmuring sound of many people gathered in one place.
ざわざわした会場
Rustling Leaves
Describes the sound of leaves rubbing against each other in the wind.
木々がざわざわ音をたてる
Uneasy Feeling
Describes an unsettled or anxious state of mind due to a bad premonition.
胸がざわざわする
Chills
Describes the physical sensation of shivering or getting goosebumps from fear or fever.
背中がざわざわする
Usage Note
How to Use
ざわざわする
Used as a verb to describe the state of being noisy, or the feeling of unease and chills.
ざわざわと
Used as an adverb to describe how an action produces a rustling or murmuring sound.
ざわざわしている
Indicates an ongoing state where the atmosphere is noisy or one is currently feeling uneasy.
ざわざわした
Used to modify a noun, such as an atmosphere or a place, indicating it is noisy or unsettled.
How to Use
Common Phrases
胸がざわざわする
chest feels uneasy
会場がざわざわする
venue is buzzing
ざわざわした雰囲気
noisy atmosphere
木々がざわざわと鳴る
trees rustle
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crowd noise | Neutral | A continuous low-level ambient noise where you cannot pick out specific conversations. |
| Emotional unease | Negative | Describes a physiological reaction to a bad premonition, often felt in the chest. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がやがや がやがや / similar | Use gayagaya when a group of people is talking loudly and actively. Use zawazawa for lower, indistinct ambient murmurs. | Zawazawa is a quieter, continuous buzz, whereas gayagaya implies noisy, lively chatter. | 教室ががやがやしている |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using zawazawa for a feeling of happy excitement.
Zawazawa carries a negative connotation of unease. Use wakuwaku for positive excitement.
Using zawazawa for loud music.
Zawazawa is for indistinct murmurs or ambient rustling, not for loud, distinct sounds like music. Use urusai or souzoushii.
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 venue is buzzing with murmurs.
LiteralUsed to describe the murmuring noise of a gathered crowd.
風で木々がざわざわと音を立てた。
かぜできぎがざわざわとおとをたてた。
The trees rustled in the wind.
LiteralUsed to describe the rustling sound of leaves in the wind.
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。
I have a bad premonition and my chest feels uneasy.
FigurativeUsed to describe an uneasy, anxious feeling in the chest.
ざわざわした雰囲気の中で待っていた。
ざわざわしたふんいきのなかでまっていた。
I waited in a noisy and unsettled atmosphere.
LiteralDescribes an unsettled or noisy atmosphere.
背中がざわざわして、鳥肌が立った。
せなかがざわざわして、とりはだがたった。
My back felt chills and I got goosebumps.
VisualDescribes the physical sensation of chills or goosebumps.
Similar Words
Questions
Can zawazawa be used for positive excitement?
No, zawazawa usually implies a negative sense of unease or anxiety. For positive excitement, use words like wakuwaku.
What is the difference between zawazawa and gayagaya?
Zawazawa describes a lower, continuous murmur where individual words are hard to distinguish. Gayagaya implies louder, more distinct chatter.
Can I use zawazawa when I have stomach pain?
No, zawazawa is used for an uneasy feeling in the chest or heart, or for chills on the skin. It does not describe sharp physical pain in the stomach.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 890058558
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/ざわざわ
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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