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N2
〜わ〜わ
Meaning
An enumerating expression that places two events or actions of the same kind side by side to emphasize the feeling that "they happen one after another — it is exasperating / overwhelming." Mostly negative situations are listed. The plain (dictionary) form of a verb and the like is repeated, used as 「泣くわ喚くわ」「降るわ降るわ」. Used in casual spoken language; rarely used in formal settings.
Examples
- 子どもは泣くわ喚くわで、もう大変だった。 The kids were crying and screaming—it was quite a handful.
- 雨は降るわ風は吹くわで、散々な一日だった。 It rained and the wind blew—it was a miserable day.
- 客は来るわ来るわで、休む暇もなかった。 Customers kept coming and coming—there was no time to rest.
- 文句は言うわ手伝わないわで、あきれてしまった。 Complaining and not helping—it left me exasperated.