Onomatopoeia
Japanese meaning of しぶしぶ
Voice sample:
しぶしぶ (shibushibu)
English Translation:
reluctantly, grudgingly
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Describes doing something reluctantly, because you have to and not because you want to.
日本語で読む
気が進まないのに、しかたなく何かをする様子。
Cultural Context:
Used for chores, homework or agreeing to a request you don't like. It is also written 渋々.
日本語で読む
家事や宿題、気の進まない頼みを引き受けるときなどに使う。「渋々」とも書く。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Used as an adverb: 「しぶしぶ引き受ける」「しぶしぶうなずく」.
日本語で読む
「しぶしぶ引き受ける」「しぶしぶうなずく」のように使う。
Trap for English Speakers
The person still does it in the end; it shows reluctance, not refusal.
日本語で読む
最後にはやるので、断ることではなく、気が進まない様子を表す。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
母に言われて、弟はしぶしぶ部屋を片づけた。
Told by Mom, my little brother reluctantly cleaned his room.
Example 2Applied Example
雨の日の買い物を、しぶしぶ引き受けた。
I grudgingly agreed to go shopping on a rainy day.
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「しぶしぶ」 mean?