メソメソ

• Reading: めそめそ
• Romaji: meso meso
• Pronunciation: /me.so.me.so/

Meaning

Whimpering, sniffling, or crying weakly in a pitiful or self-pitying way.

メソメソ describes quiet, prolonged crying — more of a whimper than a wail. It often carries a slightly negative or impatient nuance, suggesting the crying is excessive, self-pitying, or going on too long. Parents might tell a child to stop メソメソする, or friends might say it about someone who won't stop feeling sorry for themselves. It's distinct from シクシク (gentle sobbing) in that メソメソ implies more of a complaining quality.

Examples

1. いつまでもメソメソしてないでさ、前向いていこうよ。 Come on, stop whimpering and let's look ahead.
2. 子どもがメソメソ泣いてるから何があったか聞いた。 The kid was whimpering so I asked what happened.
3. メソメソするタイプじゃないと思ってたのに意外。 I didn't think they were the type to get all weepy — that was surprising.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, scolding, describing emotional behavior

Tone: slightly impatient, dismissive

Do Say

• メソメソしても始まらないよ (Whimpering about it won't solve anything)
• ちょっと叱っただけでメソメソするんだから (They start sniffling over the slightest scolding)

Don't Say

• 本当に悲しんでいる人に「メソメソするな」は冷たい (Telling someone who's genuinely grieving to stop whimpering is cruel)

Common Mistakes

• Using メソメソ sympathetically — it almost always implies the crying is excessive or weak
• Confusing with シクシク which is more sympathetic, while メソメソ is more dismissive

Origin & History

Onomatopoeia imitating the sound of quiet sniffling and whimpering. The め (me) sound connects to 目 (eyes) and tears. Has been used since at least the Edo period to describe pitiful crying.

Cultural Context

Era: Traditional onomatopoeia

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal

Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Often used by parents and teachers when telling children to toughen up.