満々(まんまん)

A reduplication of 満(まん) (full). Almost always used in fixed combinations rather than freely. The two most common patterns are the adjectival 満々(まんまん)の (brimming with) and the adverbial 満々(まんまん)と (brimming, in a full manner).

Common fixed expressions

• やる気(き)満々(まんまん): full of motivation, raring to go
• 自信(じしん)満々(まんまん): brimming with confidence
• 野心(やしん)満々(まんまん): full of ambition
• 意欲(いよく)満々(まんまん): full of eagerness
• 闘志(とうし)満々(まんまん): fighting spirit burning strong

Usage

In figurative use, 満々(まんまん) typically modifies abstract nouns for internal states like motivation, confidence, or ambition. It can carry either a positive or slightly critical tone depending on context — 自信(じしん)満々(まんまん) can mean "confidently" or "overconfidently" depending on the situation.

Similar words

• いっぱい: full — the everyday word for being full; less emphatic
• 満(み)ちあふれる: to overflow — a verb form expressing the same idea of overflowing