Ever met someone who just won’t give up — insisting over and over?
Or felt someone’s energy pushing ahead with intensity?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Gui Gui” (ぐいぐい) steps in —
a word that captures forceful motion, strong momentum, or unrelenting persuasion.
Let’s feel the pressure!
What is “Gui Gui” (ぐいぐい)?
“Gui Gui” is a mimetic expression in Japanese that evokes a sense of:
- Persistent pushing (physically or socially)
- Unstoppable drinking, like chugging a drink
- Aggressive or enthusiastic movement
- Strong social pressure or assertiveness
It’s used when something (or someone) is pushing hard, again and again — either physically or metaphorically.
Nuance:
Powerful, energetic, assertive
Sometimes positive (e.g. strong effort)
Sometimes too much (e.g. pushy behavior)
Pronunciation
gui-gui
(Say it firmly and rhythmically — like pushing forward with each syllable.)
Categories
Movement / Impression
What Does “Gui Gui” Look Like?
It looks like:
- Someone chugging water with determination
- A person pushing their opinion in a group
- A salesperson trying too hard
- A body leaning forward with strong energy
How Do You Say It?
Say it with energy:
Gui gui!
Like you’re pushing a heavy idea forward — again and again.
Example in Daily Life
Example: The persistent push
He kept leaning in with his opinion,
trying to convince everyone —
gui gui!
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “Pushy”
- “Forcing the issue”
- “Powering through”
But “gui gui” delivers the rhythm and pressure — a strong drive that’s hard to ignore.
Watch & Feel the “Gui Gui” World!
Feel the “Gui Gui” — Pushing Forward Persistently
Try Using It!
Next time you:
- See someone push their ideas with force
- Watch a dog tug at its leash
- Feel pressured to do something…
Say it with a furrowed brow:
Gui gui!
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