Shibu-shibu (渋々 - Unwillingly/Reluctantly)

Shibu-shibu

Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term 'shibui kao' (渋い顔), which means "sour face."

By repeating 'shibu' (渋 - "bitter"), it becomes another term 'shibu-shibu' (渋々/渋渋), which means to do something unwillingly.

'Shibui kao' conveys an unwilling emotion to the surroundings, whereas 'shibu-shibu' implies that someone is unwillingly moved into action.

Usually, terms that describe an action follows 'shibu-shibu'.

For example, you can say 'hikkoshi wo shibu-shibu tetsudatta' (引っ越しを渋々手伝った - "I unwillingly helped someone move") or 'shibu-shibu aruita' (渋々歩いた - "I reluctantly walked").

渋々

昨日は「不愉快そうな顔」を意味する「渋い顔」という表現を紹介しました。

"Bitter" を意味する「渋」を繰り返して「渋々」とすると、「嫌々ながら何かをするさま」を表すことができます。

「渋い顔」は不快な感情を周囲に伝えるだけですが、「渋々」は不快に思いながらも行動に移しているわけです。

「渋々」は通常、その後に行動を表す言葉が続きます。

例えば、「引っ越しを渋々手伝った」「渋々歩いた」のように使います。

• Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term 'shibui kao' (渋い顔), which means "sour face."
• Yesterday, I introduced the Japanese term 'shibui kao' (渋い顔) which means "sour face."

  (渋い顔), which --> (渋い顔) which
  
  You could have used commas if you'd written:
  
  ... I introduced a Japanese term, 'shibui kao' (渋い顔), which means

• Usually, terms that describe an action follows 'shibu-shibu'.
• Usually, terms that describe an action follow 'shibu-shibu'.

  follows --> follow
  
  terms... follow
  term... follows