おずおず

お

ず

お

ず

JLPTN1

Meanings

1

adverb taking the 'to' particle

timidly; nervously; fearfully

usually written using kana alone

Describes hesitant, fearful behavior or speech, often with the と particle. Conveys a sense of trembling or diffidence.

彼かの女じょはおずおずと部屋へやに入はいってきた。

She timidly entered the room.

子こ供どもはおずおずと母はは親おやの後うしろに隠かくれた。

The child nervously hid behind his mother.

Usage patterns

おずおずと〈動どう詞し〉to do something timidly/hesitantly
彼かれはおずおずと手てを挙あげた。
He timidly raised his hand.
おずおずと尋たずねるto ask something hesitantly, nervous about the reaction
子こ供どもはおずおずと質しつ問もんした。
The child asked the question timidly.
おずおずと近ちかづくto approach nervously/timidly
犬いぬはおずおずと近ちかづいてきた。
The dog approached timidly.

Kanji

怖dreadful, be frightened, fearful

Related words

びくびくN1
びくびく describes an ongoing nervous, trembling state, while おずおず describes a hesitant, timid manner of acting or speaking.
恐こわ々ごわ
こわごわ implies cautious action taken despite fear, whereas おずおず emphasizes shy hesitation and diffidence.
オドオドN2
おずおず describes a more polite, restrained hesitation, while オドオド often implies a stronger sense of fear or anxiety.

Opposites

堂どう々どうN1
堂々 describes bold, confident, dignified behavior, the opposite of the timid, hesitant manner shown by おずおず.

Written forms

おずおずUsage100%
Standard kana spelling; the word is usually written in kana.
オズオズ
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or stylistic effect.
怖おず怖おず
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.

Etymology

Reduplication of the root おず, which is related to fear (cf. 怖じる). The exact historical derivation is uncertain, but the form is a mimetic adverb expressing timidity.