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むず痒い (むずがゆい) Japanese meaning | Kotomora

むず痒がゆい

む

ず

が

ゆ

い

Meanings

1

i-adjective

itchy; irritating (skin)

usually written using kana alone

Describes a physical, irritating itch on the skin.

虫むしに刺さされたところがむずがゆい。
The spot where I was bitten by a bug is itchy.

2

i-adjective

; cringey

usually written using kana alone

Describes a psychological feeling of discomfort, awkwardness, or being creeped out by someone's behavior or a situation.

彼かれの大おおげさな態たい度どがむずがゆい。
His exaggerated attitude makes me cringe.
その映えい画がのラブシーンはむずがゆくなる。
The love scenes in that movie make me feel uneasy.

Written forms

むず痒がゆいUsage54%
Kanji spelling is recognized but the word is usually written in kana.
むずがゆいUsage46%
Kana spelling is the most common and recommended form.

Kanji

痒itchy

Similar words

痒かゆい
痒い is the standard word for 'itchy' and is more common for physical itchiness. むず痒い adds a nuance of irritation or a creeping sensation, and is often used metaphorically for psychological discomfort.

Etymology

Compound of むず (muzu, an onomatopoeic element suggesting irritation or creeping) and 痒い (kayui, 'itchy'). The exact origin of むず is uncertain, but it is related to the mimetic word むずむず (muzumuzu, 'itching, fidgeting').