たじたじ

たじたじ
adverb, onomatopoeia
faltering; flinching; at a loss
emotion
1. faltering; flinching; being driven back; at a loss when confronted
The state of being overwhelmed or pushed back by someone's forcefulness, sharp arguments, or intense pressure, unable to hold one's ground.
彼女(かのじょ)の勢(いきお)いにたじたじとなった。
I was taken aback by her forcefulness.
鋭(するど)い質問(しつもん)に、先生(せんせい)もたじたじだった。
Even the teacher was flustered by the sharp questions.
相手(あいて)チームの激(はげ)しい攻撃(こうげき)に守備(しゅび)陣(じん)はたじたじとなり、後半(こうはん)だけで3点(てん)失(うしな)った。
The defense faltered under the opposing team's fierce attack and conceded three goals in the second half alone.

An onomatopoeic/mimetic word describing the state of being pushed back or overwhelmed by someone's force, argument, or intensity. Evokes the image of someone physically or mentally retreating.

Usage

  • Most commonly used with となる or だ: たじたじとなる (to become flustered/overwhelmed), たじたじだ (to be at a loss)
  • Describes a reactive state — being unable to hold one's ground against pressure
  • Used for both physical confrontations (sports, fights) and verbal/intellectual ones (debates, arguments)

Common collocations

Similar words

  • たじろぐ: to flinch, to waver — a verb with similar meaning, but describes a momentary hesitation
  • 圧倒(あっとう)される: to be overwhelmed — stronger and more formal
  • おろおろ: flustered, at a loss — describes confusion and panic rather than being pushed back

Related Words

Compare: 圧倒(あっとう)される (to be overwhelmed)
Compare: おろおろ (flustered, at a loss)
general
Added 2026.4.3 7:12 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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