Japanese Language Blog
Menu
Search

Must Know Japanese Word,”Moji Moji (もじもじ)” What does it mean~?? Posted by on Jun 30, 2018 in Culture, Grammar

“Develop a passion for learning. If you do, you will never cease to grow.” ~Anthony J. D’Angelo

 

Picture from Pixabay

Hi everyone!  Happy Saturday! It might be already Sunday where you live, but I guess it’s still weekend. 😉 Hope everyone is having a nice weekend. Before we hit the month of July, I wanted to introduce one last word that describes state or condition, which is “Moji Moji (もじもじ)”. This word is also super useful. I just caught myself acting exactly “Moji Moji (もじもじ)” the other day, so here it is. Read on to learn about this word and master it before the day is over today!!

 

Moji moji (もじもじ モジモジ) – to hesitate, to be shy, reluctant to do something, fidgeting, restless

 

Don’t be so shy to ask questions.

Sonna ni moji moji shinaide shitsumon shite.

そんなに もじもじ しないで,しつもん して。

(そんなに もじもじ しないで 質問して。)

 

 

He hesitated to ask questions in front of everyone.

Kare wa moji moji shiteite minna no mae de shitsumon suruno o tameratta.

かれは もじもじ していて みんなの まえで しつもん するのを ためらった。

(彼は もじもじ していて 皆んなの 前で 質問するのを 躊躇った。)

 

 

Try avoiding fidgeting as much as you can while you give presentations.

Presen o suru tokiwa dekirudake moji moji shinaiyōni.

ぷれぜん を するときは,できるだけ もじもじ しないように。

(プレゼン を する時は 出来るだけ もじもじ しないように。)

 

 

He was hesitant to talk to girls from his class.

Kare wa onaji kurasu no onnanokotach to hanasezu moji moji shiteita.

かれは ,おなじ くらすの おんなのこたち と はなせず もじもじ していた。

(彼は 同じ クラスの 女の子達と 話せず もじもじ していた。)

 

 

Why are you fidgeting like that? Are you nervous?

Nande sonuna ni moji moji shite runo? Shinkeishitsu ni natteru?

なんで そんなに もじもじ しているの? しんけいしつに なってる?

(何で そんなに もじもじ しているの? 神経質に なってる?)

 

So next time when you need to speak up, try not to act “moji moji (もじもじ)”. I often catch myself doing this when I really want to ask questions, but I am hesitant to speak up…. then I often regret later thinking, “why didn’t I just ask?” Well, hope you don’t have too many of these moments. Just go for it! ~ 🙂

 

Keep learning Japanese with us!

Build vocabulary, practice pronunciation, and more with Transparent Language Online. Available anytime, anywhere, on any device.

Try it Free Find it at your Library
Share this:
Pin it

About the Author: keiko

Born and raised in Japan. She currently lives in U.S. with her husband and two kids.