つべこべ
つべこべ
adverb, onomatopoeia
quibbling, grumbling, making excuses
1.
quibbling, grumbling, complaining with excuses
Describes the act of making petty objections, excuses, or complaints instead of just doing what is asked. Almost always used with 言う.
つべこべ言うな。
Stop quibbling.
つべこべ言わずにやりなさい。
Stop making excuses and just do it.
彼はいつもつべこべ文句を言ってばかりで、全然手を動かさない。
He's always quibbling and complaining but never lifts a finger.
つべこべ is an onomatopoeic expression mimicking the sound of someone endlessly complaining or making excuses.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- つべこべ言う: to quibble, to grumble
- つべこべ言うな: stop complaining
- つべこべ言わずに: without quibbling, just do it
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ぐだぐだ言う: to go on and on, to ramble complaints
- ぶつぶつ言う: to mutter complaints
- つべこべ言う: to quibble, to make petty excuses
USAGE: Strongly informal. Used to tell someone to stop making excuses and act. Carries an impatient, commanding tone.