いそいそ

いそいそ
adverb
cheerfully; eagerly; excitedly
1. cheerfully; eagerly; excitedly
Acting with visible joy and anticipation, often when preparing for something pleasant.
彼女(かのじょ)はいそいそと出(で)かけた。
She went out cheerfully.
いそいそと準備(じゅんび)する。
To prepare eagerly.
デートの前(まえ)にいそいそしている。
Being excitedly busy before a date.

いそいそ is an onomatopoeic adverb describing visible happiness and eagerness, typically when going somewhere pleasant or preparing for something enjoyable.

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • いそいそと出(で)かける: to go out cheerfully
  • いそいそと準備(じゅんび)する: to prepare eagerly
  • いそいそと支度(したく)する: to get ready with excitement
  • いそいそしている: to be in an eager, happy mood

GRAMMAR:
Usually followed by と: いそいそと〜する. Can also be used with している to describe a state.

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • うきうき: cheerful, light-hearted (more about inner feeling)
  • わくわく: excited, thrilled (stronger anticipation)
  • そわそわ: restless, fidgety (nervous rather than happy)

いそいそ specifically implies physical, visible eagerness — you can see the person bustling about happily.

Related Words

Related: わくわく (excited, thrilled)
Contrast: そわそわ (restless (nervous))
Related: うきうき (cheerful, light-hearted)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.4.14 12:22
05000/05370_isoiso