髪をいじる

• Reading: かみをいじる
• Romaji: kami wo ijiru
• Kanji breakdown: 髪 (kami) — hair (on the head)
• Pronunciation: /ka.mi.o.i.dʑi.ɾɯ/

Meaning

To fiddle with one's hair; to play with or touch hair repeatedly.

A common colloquial expression combining 髪 (hair) with いじる (to fiddle, tamper). Can describe a nervous habit, absent-minded hair touching, or a hairstyling action. いじる is a Group 1 (godan) verb conjugated as a regular u-verb.

Examples

1. 緊張すると無意識に髪をいじる癖がある。 I have a habit of touching my hair without realizing it when I'm nervous.
2. 彼女は退屈そうに髪をいじっていた。 She was fiddling with her hair like she was bored.
3. 面接中に髪をいじるのはやめたほうがいい。 You should stop playing with your hair during interviews.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, psychology, manners

Tone: casual

Origin & History

A native Japanese phrase: 髪 (hair) from Old Japanese + いじる (to fiddle/tamper), a verb suggesting repeated touching or handling of something.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal