What’s the Difference Between “Meso Meso” and “Shiku Shiku” in Japanese?

Ever heard someone quietly cry — sometimes softly sniffling, sometimes silently enduring?
In Japanese, there are two delicate ways to describe these shades of sadness:

Meso Meso (めそめそ)
Shiku Shiku (しくしく)

Both express tears and sorrow, but each paints a different emotional scene.

What is “Meso Meso” (めそめそ)?

A soft, whimpering cry — weak, childlike, and continuous.
It often carries feelings of self-pity or emotional vulnerability rather than deep grief.

Used for:

• A child sulking or crying after being scolded
• Someone whimpering out of loneliness or hurt feelings
• A person who can’t stop sniffling even after calming down

Nuance:
Outward, immature, fragile — it’s the sound of emotional weakness.

Example:
He sat alone in the corner,
sniffling quietly —
meso meso…

Pronunciation

meh-so meh-so
(Say it in a trembling, whiny tone — like holding back sobs.)

What is “Shiku Shiku” (しくしく)?

A restrained, quiet cry — inward, slow, and full of endurance.
It’s not childish; it’s the sadness that lingers silently inside.

Used for:

• Someone crying alone at night
• Quiet tears from heartbreak or nostalgia
• Gentle, constant physical or emotional pain

Nuance:
Subdued, introspective, melancholic — it’s the sound of quiet sorrow.

Example:
She looked down,
tears sliding silently —
shiku shiku…

Pronunciation

shee-koo shee-koo
(slow and rhythmic, like soft sobs echoing in silence)

Cultural Note

In English, both could mean crying softly or sobbing quietly,
but the difference lies in emotional direction:

So in anime, novels, or daily life:

• When someone sniffles or complains while crying, it’s meso meso.
• When someone cries quietly, holding it in, it’s shiku shiku.

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Whimpering (Meso Meso)

He was scolded by his boss,
and started to whimper —
meso meso…

Example 2: Quiet Sorrow (Shiku Shiku)

She missed her hometown,
and cried softly —
shiku shiku…

Try Using Them!

When someone is sniffling or whining tearfully → say meso meso.

When someone is crying quietly in sorrow → say shiku shiku.

Each word holds a different heartbeat of sadness —
one trembling on the surface, the other sinking deep within.