Japanese word

ヨーヨー

Pronunciation

Romajiyōyō

Meaning

  • nounyo-yo

Example

私はヨーヨーで遊びます。watashi wa yō yō de aso bi ma su

I play with a yo-yo.

Illustration for ヨーヨー (yo-yo)

More examples

弟は難しいヨーヨーの技を練習しています。otōto wa muzuka shi i yō yō no waza o ren shū shi te i ma su

My younger brother is practicing a difficult yo-yo trick.

Core concept

A small object spins down and back up along a string held in the hand.

Common phrases

  • ヨーヨーで遊ぶyō yō de aso bu

    play with a yo-yo

  • ヨーヨーを回すyō yō o mawa su

    spin a yo-yo

Definition in Japanese

ひもを付けた円盤形の玩具で、手から離すと回転しながら上下し、ひもを引くと手元に戻るもの。hi mo o tsu ke ta en ban kei no gan gu de te ka ra hana su to kai ten shi na ga ra jō ge shi hi mo o hi ku to te moto ni modo ru mo no

Word origin

The Japanese noun ヨーヨー (yōyō, "yo-yo") is borrowed from English yo-yo, the name of the returning toy, while the deeper origin of that English name is uncertain.

Usage tips

  • In English, yo-yo also works as a verb for moving repeatedly between higher and lower levels, like the toy moving up and down on its string.

Word lists with this word