1.
tantrum; unreasonable demand; whining
Childish fussing or crying to get one's way. Almost always used in the expression 駄々をこねる (to throw a tantrum).
子供が駄々をこねている。
The child is throwing a tantrum.
おもちゃを買ってほしくて駄々をこねた。
The child threw a tantrum wanting a toy.
いい大人が駄々をこねるのはみっともない。
It's embarrassing for a grown adult to act like a whiny child.
Almost exclusively used in the fixed expression 駄々をこねる (to throw a tantrum, to whine and fuss).
PATTERN:
- 駄々をこねる — to throw a tantrum
Primarily describes children's behavior, but can be used sarcastically or critically about adults who behave childishly. The verb こねる literally means "to knead," and the expression evokes the image of a child twisting and writhing on the ground.