Questions on the word シクシク I understand that the word is /giseigo/onomatopoeia equivalent to the English "boo-hoo/boo-hoo-hoo." > > : To whimper in fear > > > : She wailed in misery when her boyfriend dumped her. However, I also see it as a qualifier for pain, but I can't tell what kind of pain it describes. Is it a pain so "gripping" as to make one sob, or is it a "dull" pain (which implies something more to be inconvenienced or annoyed by)? > > : It is a dull pain. > > > : have a gripping pain in one's stomach

implies continuing, moderate level of crying/pain. I don't know if their etymology is related but also means that a moderate (not too hard, but not soft either) level of rain continuously falls. Maybe this sound pattern is associated with moderate, continuing things in Japanese.