しくしく

しくしく
adverb
sobbing; whimpering; sniffling
1. sobbing; whimpering; sniffling
Crying softly with small sobs, often suppressing the sound.
子供(こども)がしくしく泣(な)いている。
The child is sobbing.
しくしくと涙(なみだ)を流(なが)す。
To shed tears while whimpering.
子供(こども)が一人(ひとり)でしくしく泣(な)いていた。
The child was sobbing alone.
2. aching dully
A mild, continuous ache (usually stomach).
胃(い)がしくしく痛(いた)む。
My stomach has a dull ache.
しくしくと胃(い)が痛(いた)む。
I have a dull ache in my stomach.
朝(あさ)からお腹(なか)がしくしく痛(いた)い。
I've had a dull stomachache since this morning.

しくしく is a 擬態語(ぎたいご)/擬音語(ぎおんご) (mimetic/onomatopoeic word) with two distinct meanings.

SENSE 1 — SOBBING:

Describes quiet, suppressed crying — not loud wailing but soft whimpering.

SENSE 2 — DULL ACHE:

Describes a mild, persistent, nagging pain, especially in the stomach.

SIMILAR CRYING WORDS (intensity scale):

Related Words

Related: めそめそ (weeping weakly)
Related: わんわん (bawling loudly)
Related: 号泣(ごうきゅう) (wailing, crying out)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.6.8 11:21
05000/05373_shikushiku