びくびく

びくびく
adverb, suru verb
nervously; timidly; fearfully
1. nervously; timidly; fearfully
Describes being in a state of fear or anxiety, easily startled and nervous.
上司(じょうし)(まえ)でびくびくしている。
I'm nervous in front of my boss.
びくびくしながら(くら)(みち)(ある)いた。
I walked nervously down the dark road.
(おこ)られるのではないかとびくびくしていた。
I was nervously worried about getting scolded.

びくびく is an onomatopoeic word describing a state of nervous fear.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • びくびくする: to be nervous/scared
  • びくびくしながら: while being nervous
  • びくびくした表情(ひょうじょう): a nervous expression

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • おどおど: nervously, timidly (showing visible nervousness)
  • そわそわ: restless, fidgety (anxious anticipation)
  • はらはら: anxiously (worried about outcome)