Entry
ぞくぞく
zokuzoku
ぞくぞく describes the physical sensation of shivering or a chill going down one's spine due to cold, fever, fear, or intense excitement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word expresses an internal bodily sensation of shivering, shuddering, or goosebumps. It is used to describe physical reactions like feeling chilly or the onset of a fever, psychological reactions to fear or creepiness, and even spine-tingling thrills or profound excitement.
- Shivering (Cold/Sick)
- Shuddering (Fear)
- Thrilled (Excitement)
Sense Map
Cold / Sickness
A physical shiver caused by cold weather or the early stages of a fever.
風邪で体がぞくぞくする。
Fear / Creepiness
A chill of fear or horror, like getting goosebumps from a scary story.
背筋がぞくぞくする。
Thrill / Excitement
A spine-tingling sensation of profound awe, excitement, or anticipation.
感動でぞくぞくする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぞくぞくする
The most common verb form, meaning to shiver or to feel a thrill.
背筋がぞくぞくする
A set phrase meaning a chill goes down one's spine, used for fear, horror, or profound awe.
ぞくぞくする + noun
Used to modify a noun, meaning a thrilling [noun] or a spine-chilling [noun].
ぞくぞくと + verb
Adverbial form describing an action accompanied by a shivering or thrilling sensation.
How to Use
Common Phrases
体がぞくぞくする
Body shivers / feels a chill
背筋がぞくぞくする
A chill goes down the spine
ぞくぞくするような
Spine-chilling or thrilling
寒気でぞくぞくする
Shivering from a cold chill
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Cold or illness | neutral | Describes the shivering feeling when catching a cold or being in a chilly room. |
| Fear | negative | Used for the creeps or shuddering caused by ghost stories or eerie feelings. |
| Awe and thrill | positive | Used when moved deeply by art, performance, or an incredibly exciting event. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶるぶる ぶるぶる / similar | Focuses on the visible, physical shaking or trembling of the body. | ぞくぞく is more about the internal sensation of a chill or goosebumps, whereas ぶるぶる describes outward, visible trembling. | 寒さでぶるぶる震える。 |
ぞっと ぞっと / similar | For a sudden, brief chill of intense fear, horror, or disgust. | ぞっと is momentary and almost always negative, while ぞくぞく can linger and is often used for positive thrills. | ぞっとするような事件。 |
わくわく わくわく / similar | For feelings of joy and anticipation looking forward to something fun. | わくわく is pure joyful anticipation without the physical chill/shiver sensation that accompanies the deep thrill of ぞくぞく. | 遠足が楽しみでわくわくする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぞくぞく to describe visibly shaking hands when nervous.
For visible physical shaking, use ぶるぶる (buruburu) or がたがた (gatagata) instead.
Thinking it only applies to negative situations like fear or illness.
It is frequently used positively to mean spine-tingling or thrilled by something amazing.
Examples
Examples
風邪の引き始めなのか、体がぞくぞくする。
かぜ の ひきはじめ な の か 、 からだ が ぞくぞく する 。
Maybe I'm catching a cold, my body is shivering.
LiteralUsed to describe the physical sensation at the onset of a fever.
冷たい風が吹いて、ぞくぞくと寒気がした。
つめたい かぜ が ふいて 、 ぞくぞく と さむけ が した 。
A cold wind blew, and I felt a shivering chill.
LiteralThe adverbial form 'zokuzoku to' is used with 'samuke' (chill).
誰もいないはずの部屋から物音がして、背筋がぞくぞくした。
だれ も いない はず の へや から ものおと が して 、 せすじ が ぞくぞく した 。
I heard a noise from a room that should have been empty, and a chill went down my spine.
FigurativeDescribes the psychological sensation of fear or creepiness.
彼女の圧倒的な歌声を聞いて、感動でぞくぞくする。
かのじょ の あっとうてき な うたごえ を きいて 、 かんどう で ぞくぞく する 。
Hearing her overwhelming singing voice, I shiver with deep emotion.
FigurativeUsed in a positive context when deeply moved or overwhelmed with awe.
映画の結末が予想外で、ぞくぞくするほど面白かった。
えいが の けつまつ が よそうがい で 、 ぞくぞく する ほど おもしろかった 。
The ending of the movie was unexpected, it was thrillingly interesting.
FigurativeFunctions as a modifier to show just how thrillingly interesting something is.
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. Focuses on visible physical trembling.
ぞっと
zotto
A sudden shudder or chill caused by intense fear, horror, or disgust. A sudden, intense feeling of fear or creepiness.
わくわく
wakuwaku
Wakuwaku means to be positively excited, thrilled, and happily anticipating something. A feeling of joyful anticipation.
Questions
What is the difference between ぞくぞく and ぶるぶる?
ぞくぞく is the internal sensation of a chill or shudder, while ぶるぶる is the visible, outward trembling or shaking of the body.
Can I use it when I am excited?
Yes, it is often used to describe a spine-tingling thrill or intense excitement, such as watching a spectacular performance.
Does it always mean I am sick?
No. While it can mean the chills of a fever, it equally applies to feeling cold, feeling scared, or being deeply moved.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007140
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- そわそわ (sowasowa)
- Next entry
- ぞっと (zotto)