(もくもく)

もくもく
adverb, adjective-taru
silently; quietly; diligently
1. silently; quietly and steadily; diligently without complaint
Working or doing something in silence, with steady focus and without complaining or chatting. Implies dedication and perseverance.
黙々(もくもく)(はたら)いた。
He worked away silently.
彼女(かのじょ)黙々(もくもく)()(つづ)けた。
She kept eating in silence.
職人(しょくにん)たちは黙々(もくもく)作業(さぎょう)(つづ)け、夕方(ゆうがた)までに(すべ)ての注文(ちゅうもん)仕上(しあ)げた。
The craftsmen worked away silently and finished all the orders by evening.

A taru-adjective/adverb from the repeated kanji (もく) (silence). Almost always used in the adverbial form 黙々(もくもく)と.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • 黙々(もくもく)(はたら)く (work silently)
  • 黙々(もくもく)()べる (eat in silence)
  • 黙々(もくもく)(ある)く (walk silently)
  • 黙々(もくもく)作業(さぎょう)する (work on a task silently)

USAGE NOTES:
Carries a positive connotation of diligence and quiet determination. Describes someone who gets things done without fuss or complaint. The と particle is required when using it adverbially. Often used to praise someone's work ethic or describe an admirable quality.