JLPT N2 Vocabulary – Difference between “わくわく” and “うきうき”
Table of Contents
1. Difference between “わくわく” and “うきうき”
2. わくわく
3. うきうき
4. Let’s Compare
5. Summary
6. Quiz
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment
Q: What is the difference between “わくわく” and “うきうき”?
A: These two terms both express an excited and restless feeling of anticipation, but there is a slight difference in their meanings.
わくわく (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
A state of being restless with anticipation or joy.
[Usage]
わくわく＋する
[Examples]
明日の遠足楽しみだな！わくわくする！
I’m excited about tomorrow’s field trip! I’m so looking forward to it!
これからどんなことが起こるんだろう。わくわくするな。
I wonder what will happen next. I’m thrilled!
週末の旅行のことを考えるとわくわくします。
Thinking about the weekend trip makes me excited.
新しいプロジェクトが始まり、わくわくしています。
A new project has started, and I’m feeling excited about it.
うきうき (JLPT N2)
[Meaning]
A state of feeling happy or joyful, with your heart leaping with excitement.
A feeling of being so happy that you can’t stay calm.
[Usage]
うきうき＋する
[Examples]
遊園地に来てずっとうきうきしています。
I’ve been feeling so excited since arriving at the amusement park.
子供はうきうきしながらプールへ行きました。
My child went to the pool, all excited.
ケーキを買ってうきうきした気分で帰ってきました。
I bought a cake and came back home in a cheerful mood.
妻はランチに行くと言ってうきうきしています。
My wife is excited, saying she’s going out for lunch.
Let’s Compare
The key difference between “わくわく” and “うきうき” lies in whether the event is “uncertain” or “certain.”
“わくわく” is used for an uncertain future, while “うきうき” is focused on something currently happening or a certain event in the near future. “Near future” refers to a point close to the present.
[Examples]
明日の遠足、楽しみだな！わくわくする！
I’m excited about tomorrow’s field trip! I’m so looking forward to it!
⇒ Since “tomorrow” is still in the future, the speaker uses “わくわく” to express their feelings.
遠足、楽しいね。うきうきするね。
The field trip is fun, isn’t it? I’m feeling so happy!
⇒ Since the speaker is currently on the field trip, “うきうき” is used to express their feelings.
子供はうきうきしながらプールへ行きました。
My child went to the pool, all excited.
⇒ Although they haven’t arrived at the pool yet, the event is in the very near future, so “うきうき” is used.
Additionally, while it’s common to use expressions like “ようだ” or “みたいだ” to describe someone’s state, these two words can be used as they are.
[Examples]
姉は今日彼とデートのようで、うきうきしています。
My sister seems to have a date with her boyfriend today, and she looks excited.
⇒ This expresses her excited and restless state.
子供たちは来月の海外旅行をわくわくしながら待っています。
The children are eagerly looking forward to next month’s overseas trip.
⇒ This expresses how the children are excited about the trip.
Summary
[わくわく]
- A state of being too excited to stay calm in anticipation of something.
- Used for “uncertain future plans or events.”
[うきうき]
- A state of being too excited to stay calm in anticipation of something.
- Used for “something currently happening or for plans and events in the near future.”
Quiz
Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.
Click on the question to check the answer.
A. わくわく
再来月のお姉ちゃんの結婚式、わくわくするなあ。
I’m so excited about my sister’s wedding the month after next!
*Since “the month after next” is still in the distant future, “わくわく” is the appropriate choice.
A. うきうき
娘はずっと来たかったところへ来られてうきうきしています。
My daughter is excited to finally be at the place she’s always wanted to visit.
*”うきうき” is appropriate here because it describes her current excitement about something happening now.
A. うきうき
長い夏休みが始まって子供たちはうきうきしています。
The children are excited now that the long summer vacation has started.
*Since the summer vacation has begun and they are currently experiencing it, “うきうき” is the right choice.
A. わくわく
来年から海外に住む娘はわくわくしながら準備をしています。
My daughter, who will be living abroad starting next year, is excited as she prepares.
*Since this is a plan for next year, “わくわく” is the appropriate choice.
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