けんけん

Japanese

Etymology

Attested from at least the 18th century. There are two theories of the word’s origin: either from 蹴(け)る (keru, “kick, stomp”) via reduplication as 蹴蹴, or onomatopoeic from the sound of foot-falls.

Pronunciation

• IPA^(key): [kẽ̞ŋkẽ̞ɴ]

Noun

けんけん • (kenken) 

1. hopping, jumping on one foot

   Synonym: 片足跳び (kata-ashi tobi)

   けんけん跳(と)ぶ

   kenken tobu

   move by hopping, hop