がしゃがしゃ

が

しゃ

が

しゃ

Meanings

1

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

clattering; clanking; noisily

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes the sound of hard objects like metal pieces hitting each other repeatedly. Often used with と or as a する-verb.

工こう具ぐががしゃがしゃと音おとを立たてて落おちた。
The tools fell with a clattering noise.

彼かれはポケットの中なかで小こ銭ぜにをがしゃがしゃさせた。

He jingled the coins in his pocket.

2

na-adjective

cluttered; messy; disordered

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a space or collection of things that is untidy, with many items scattered about. Used as a な-adjective.

机つくえの上うえががしゃがしゃで、必ひつ要ような書しょ類るいが見みつからない。
My desk is so cluttered that I can't find the document I need.
引ひき出だしの中なかががしゃがしゃになっている。
The inside of the drawer is a mess.

Written forms

がしゃがしゃUsage32%
Standard hiragana spelling for this onomatopoeic word.
ガシャガシャUsage68%
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.

Similar words

ごちゃごちゃ
ごちゃごちゃ also means cluttered or messy, but emphasizes a jumbled, chaotic mix of many different things, while がしゃがしゃ focuses more on the noisy, clattering aspect or a disorderly state with hard objects.
がちゃがちゃ
がちゃがちゃ is a similar onomatopoeia for clattering or rattling sounds, often used for lighter or more metallic noises, and can also describe a messy state, but がしゃがしゃ tends to imply a heavier, more disorderly clatter.

Etymology

Onomatopoeic word mimicking the sound of hard objects clattering together. The exact origin is uncertain, but it follows a common reduplicative pattern in Japanese sound-symbolic vocabulary.