What Is “Moja Moja”? The Japanese Sound of Messy, Fuzzy, or Bushy

Ever seen hair sticking out in all directions after waking up?

Or tangled grass and weeds growing wildly in a garden?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Moja Moja” comes in — a sound and feel of something messy, bushy, or tangled.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

What is “Moja Moja” (もじゃもじゃ)?

“Moja Moja” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes something thick, tangled, or messy, especially hair or fur.

It’s used in a few main ways:

• For hair or fur — messy, bushy, overgrown.
• For plants or weeds — tangled, thickly grown.
• For texture — something unkempt, untidy, and uneven.

Pronunciation

mo-jah mo-jah
(Say it with a fuzzy, irregular rhythm — like hair sticking out all around.)

Categories

Visual / Condition

Struwwelpeter (Shock-Headed Peter)

Did you know?
The famous German children’s book character Struwwelpeter (often translated as Shock-Headed Peter) is well known in English-speaking countries too.

In Japan, he is often called “Moja Moja Peter” (もじゃもじゃペーター) — because his wild, unkempt hair matches perfectly with the Japanese sound word moja moja, which describes messy, bushy, or curly textures.

So when you hear moja moja, you can imagine not only bedhead or overgrown hair, but also this classic storybook boy with his famously untamed look.

What Does “Moja Moja” Look Like?

It looks like a child’s hair after rolling around in bed.
Like an animal with a thick, untamed mane.
Like weeds spreading across the ground without control.

How Do You Say It?

Say it with a fluffy, tangled feel:
Moja… moja…

Like wild hair sticking up,
or a bushy beard growing out:
Moja moja…

Example in Daily Life

Example: Bedhead

He woke up in the morning,
his hair sticking out everywhere —
moja moja…

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:

• “Messy hair”
• “Bushy”
• “Overgrown”

But in Japanese, “moja moja” doesn’t just describe the look — it carries the feel of fluffiness and disorder. It’s often playful, even affectionate, especially when describing hair or animals.

Watch & Feel the “Moja Moja” World!

Feel the “moja moja” — Massive Beard

His beard is so Moja Moja!

Try Using It!

When you see a child’s messy hair…
When your pet’s fur is all tangled…
When weeds cover the garden…

Say it warmly:
Moja moja〜