Japanese word

ウキウキ

Pronunciation

Romajiukiuki

Meaning

  • adverbexcitedly

Example

私は明日の遠足を楽しみにしてウキウキしています。watashi wa asu no en soku o tano shi mi ni shi te u ki u ki shi te i ma su

I am excited about tomorrow's field trip.

Illustration for ウキウキ (excitedly)

More examples

好きな曲を口ずさみながら、彼はウキウキと料理をしました。su ki na kyoku o kuchi zu sa mi na ga ra kare wa u ki u ki to ryō ri o shi ma shi ta

He cooked cheerfully while humming his favorite song.

Core concept

Describes a light, buoyant state in which anticipation or joy makes a person act with lively energy.

Common phrases

  • ウキウキと待つu ki u ki to ma tsu

    wait excitedly

  • ウキウキと出かけるu ki u ki to de ka ke ru

    set off excitedly

Similar words

わくわくwakuwaku: Shows eager anticipation and joy about an enjoyable event.
ルンルンrunrun: Shows a carefree, cheerful mood with a light and lively feeling.
そわそわsowasowa: Shows excitement through restless movements or behavior.
いそいそisoiso: Describes cheerful eagerness while getting ready for a task or event.

Definition in Japanese

楽しみや喜びで心が浮き立ち、明るくはずんだ気分であるさま。tano shi mi ya yoroko bi de kokoro ga u ki ta chi aka ru ku ha zu n da ki bun de a ru sa ma

Word origin

ウキウキ (ukiuki) is a reduplicated mimetic form linked to 浮く (uku, "to float"), expressing a heart that seems to rise with joyful anticipation.

Usage tips

  • Although excited may involve anxiety in English, ウキウキ (ukiuki) normally describes the cheerful anticipation felt before something enjoyable happens.

Other meanings

  • cheerfullyadverb
  • in high spiritsadverb

Opposites

  • しょんぼりshonboridejectedlyadverb

Related words

  • ウキウキ感ukiukikanexcitementnoun

Word lists with this word