Entry
ゾワゾワ
zowazowa
ゾワゾワ describes the physical or psychological sensation of getting goosebumps, shivering, or feeling creeped out.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures the feeling of a chill running down your spine or a creepy, crawling sensation on your skin. It is most commonly used when reacting to something disgusting (like a swarm of bugs), feeling psychological unease from a scary story, or having a bad premonition that makes your hair stand on end.
- Goosebumps from disgust or creepy things
- Chills from fear or scary stories
- A sense of psychological unease
Sense Map
Disgust & Creepiness
Describes the crawling sensation on the skin or getting goosebumps when seeing something gross or creepy.
虫を見てゾワゾワする
Fear & Unease
The psychological chill or shivering feeling caused by dread, bad vibes, or scary situations.
嫌な予感でゾワゾワする
Usage Note
How to Use
ゾワゾワする
Used as a verb to state that you are getting goosebumps, feeling creeped out, or having a chill.
ゾワゾワと
Used as an adverb to describe how a chilling sensation approaches or feels.
ゾワゾワ感が
Turns the sensation into a noun, meaning 'a creepy feeling' or 'a sense of chills'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
背中がゾワゾワする
A chill runs down one's spine
虫を見てゾワゾワする
To get creeped out looking at bugs
ゾワゾワ感が残る
The creepy feeling lingers
全身がゾワゾワする
To get goosebumps all over one's body
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Seeing creepy crawlies | negative | A very common use case. It perfectly captures the 'skin crawling' feeling when seeing bugs or spiders. |
| Listening to a scary story | negative | Describes the hair standing up on the back of your neck out of psychological fear. |
| Hearing incredible vocals | positive | Can sometimes be used to describe 'good chills' or frisson from something emotionally moving, though less common than the negative use. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぞわり ぞわり / similar | Used for a single, sudden wave of chills or a brief moment of feeling creeped out. | ゾワゾワ implies a more continuous or undulating sensation of chills, whereas ぞわり is usually a one-time jolt. | 背中がぞわりとする |
ぶるっと ぶるっと / similar | Used when the body physically shudders or shakes for a moment due to sudden cold or fear. | ぶるっと focuses on the physical shudder of the body, rather than the skin-crawling goosebump sensation of ゾワゾワ. | 寒さでぶるっと震える |
そわそわ そわそわ / similar | Used when someone is fidgeting or restless because they are nervous or excitedly anticipating something. | Despite the similar sound, そわそわ does not involve physical chills. It is purely behavioral restlessness or nervous energy. | テスト前でそわそわする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ゾワゾワ for shivering because of a fever.
Use ゾクゾク for chills related to illness or fever. ゾワゾワ is primarily for being creeped out or grossed out.
Confusing it with そわそわ (fidgety/nervous).
ゾワゾワ is about goosebumps and chills. そわそわ is about being unable to sit still because of nerves.
Examples
Examples
壁にたくさんの虫がいて、見ただけでゾワゾワした。
かべに たくさんの むしが いて、みただけで ゾワゾワした。
There were so many bugs on the wall, just looking at them gave me the creeps.
LiteralA very common usage for a physical reaction of disgust.
その怖い話を聞いて、背中がゾワゾワしました。
その こわい はなしを きいて、せなかが ゾワゾワしました。
Listening to that scary story sent a chill down my spine.
FigurativeDescribes the sensation of chills due to psychological fear.
暗い夜道を歩いていると、嫌な予感で全身がゾワゾワしてきた。
くらい よみちを あるいていると、いやな よかんで ぜんしんが ゾワゾワしてきた。
Walking down the dark street at night, I got goosebumps all over from a bad premonition.
FigurativeA bad premonition can also trigger this sensation all over the body.
黒板を爪でひっかく音を聞くと、ゾワゾワする。
こくばんを つめで ひっかく おとを きくと、ゾワゾワする。
Hearing the sound of nails scratching on a chalkboard gives me the chills.
LiteralAuditory discomfort that causes physical shivers also uses this word.
彼の素晴らしい歌声に、感動してゾワゾワっと鳥肌が立った。
かれの すばらしい うたごえに、かんどうして ゾワゾワっと とりはだが たった。
I was so moved by his amazing singing voice that I got goosebumps.
LiteralCan be used for positive goosebumps out of awe or emotion, though less common.
Similar Words
ぞわり
zowari
A sudden, passing chill or wave of goosebumps caused by fear, disgust, or cold. A sudden, brief wave of chills.
ぶるっと
burutto
A sudden, brief, and involuntary shudder or shiver, usually caused by cold, fear, or disgust. A brief physical shudder from cold or fear.
そわそわ
sowasowa
A state of being restless, fidgety, or unable to calm down due to anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. Restless or fidgety out of nerves, not physical chills.
Questions
What is the difference between ゾワゾワ and ゾクゾク?
Both refer to chills. ゾクゾク is often used for the bone-deep chills of a fever or profound fear, while ゾワゾワ is more about a skin-crawling sensation, goosebumps, or feeling grossed out.
Can I use ゾワゾワ when I'm nervous before a date?
No. If you are restless and can't calm down, you should use そわそわ (sowasowa) or どきどき (dokidoki). ゾワゾワ implies you are getting creepy chills.
Is ゾワゾワ always a bad feeling?
Usually, yes. It's associated with fear and disgust. However, it can occasionally be used to describe the good goosebumps you get from listening to amazing music.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2853201
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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