ぞくぞく
Japanese
Etymology 1
From reduplication of 簇 (zoku),[1][2] itself from Middle Chinese 簇 (MC tshuwk, “crowded, bunched, gathered”).
Adjective
ぞくぞく • (zokuzoku) †-tari (adnominal ぞくぞくとした (zokuzoku to shita to shita) or ぞくぞくたる (zokuzoku taru taru), adverbial ぞくぞくと (zokuzoku to to) or ぞくぞくとして (zokuzoku to shite to shite))
- 簇簇: (rare reading) grouped together, bunched up
Etymology 2
From reduplication of ideophonic element ぞく (zoku), also found in ぞくっと (zokutto) of similar meaning.[1][2]
Pronunciation
A surface analysis suggests ideophonic ぞ (zo) expressing a sense of "buzz" or "shiver", appended with ideophonic く (ku) possibly expressing a sudden change in state.
Likely cognate with the zo element in ぞっと (zotto, “shiveringly, shockedly, startledly”), ぞぞめく (zozomeku, “to move or behave in a creeping, buzzing, rustling, impatient, or uncomfortable manner”), ぞぞ髪 (zozogami, “hair standing on end due to fright or shock”).
Adverb
ぞくぞく • (zokuzoku)
- shiveringly, with a shudder
- 2018, Charlie N Holmberg, Fumiyo Harashima (tr.), Shinjitsu no majutsushi, translation of The Master Magician:
- 指の裏側で首筋をなでられ、肩の下にぞくぞくとした感覚が走る。「ありがとう」とエメリーは言った。
- Yubi no uragawa de kubisuji o naderare, kata no shita ni zokuzoku to shita kankaku ga hashiru. “Arigatō” to Emerī wa itta.
- The back of his fingers caressing the nape of her neck, a sensation ran shivering down her shoulders. "Thank you," Emery said.
- 指の裏側で首筋をなでられ、肩の下にぞくぞくとした感覚が走る。「ありがとう」とエメリーは言った。
Usage notes
May be used with the adverbial particle と (to).
Synonyms
- ぞっと (zotto)
- ぞくっと (zokutto)
Verb
ぞくぞくする • (zokuzoku suru) suru (stem ぞくぞくし (zokuzoku suru shi), past ぞくぞくした (zokuzoku suru shita))
Usage notes
Zokuzoku implies an ongoing shiver, whereas synonyms zokutto and zotto imply a one-time shiver.
Synonyms
- ぞっとする (zotto suru)
- ぞくっとする (zokutto suru)
Etymology 3
From reduplication of 続 (zoku, “to continue”),[1][2] itself from Middle Chinese 續 (MC zjowk).
Pronunciation
Usage notes
Used with the adverbial particle と (to).
References
- Matsumura, Akira, editor (2006), 大辞林 [Daijirin] (in Japanese), Third edition, Tōkyō: Sanseidō, →ISBN
- Shōgaku Tosho (1988) 国語大辞典(新装版) [Unabridged Dictionary of Japanese (Revised Edition)] (in Japanese), Tōkyō: Shogakukan, →ISBN