じたばた

じ

た

ば

た

Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

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

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes physical, often desperate, movement of limbs or body, like kicking and thrashing about. Commonly used with する or と.

子こ供どもが床ゆかに寝ね転ころんでじたばたしていた。

The child was lying on the floor, kicking and struggling.

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

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Figurative use: to become agitated, lose composure, or react frantically to a situation. Often implies a loss of calm or overreaction.

あたふた
あたふた emphasizes hurried, flustered movement or action, while じたばた focuses on struggling or panicking, often with a sense of resistance or desperation.
ばたばた
ばたばた describes a series of flapping or banging sounds or rushing around busily, whereas じたばた specifically conveys struggling or panicking.

A mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but it likely imitates the sound and motion of flailing or struggling.