ぴくぴく動く
pikupiku ugoku
The English verb "twitch" can be translated into Japanese as ぴくぴく動く (pikupiku ugoku).
This phrase is commonly used to describe involuntary muscle spasms or the twitching of body parts like an eyelid or a nose.
Meaning: to perform a twitch, spasm (verb)
What does it mean word for word?
This phrase is composed of the onomatopoeia ぴくぴく and the verb ugoku, which means to move.
Which one should you use?
The form ぴくっとなる can be used to describe a single, sudden twitching motion rather than a repetitive one.
How does it change in a sentence?
The phrase is composed of the onomatopoeia pikupiku and the verb ugoku (to move).
How do you pronounce it?
pikupiku ugoku
Did you know?
- In Japanese folklore and superstition, a twitching eyelid is often interpreted as a sign of an upcoming event. Depending on which eye is ぴくぴく moving, it can be seen as a sign of good luck or a warning of bad news.
- Japanese uses a vast system of onomatopoeia called giseigo and gitaigo to describe physical sensations. While ぴくぴく describes a small twitch, changing the sound to びくびく describes the trembling of someone who is terrified.
- The sound ぴくぴく is often used in manga to visually represent the physical sensation of a character feeling startled or a small animal's nose sniffing. It functions more like a sound effect than a literal description of a muscle spasm.
Examples in context
- 電車の中でTwitchを見るのが楽しいです。It's fun to watch Twitch on the train.
- 猫の鼻がぴくぴく動く。Neko no hana ga pikupiku ugoku.The cat's nose twitches.
