{"id":176590708,"date":"2018-07-16T13:57:44","date_gmt":"2018-07-16T20:57:44","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog-new\/?p=176590708"},"modified":"2025-05-19T11:28:01","modified_gmt":"2025-05-19T18:28:01","slug":"japanese-onomatopoeia","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.lingq.com\/blog\/japanese-onomatopoeia\/","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Onomatopoeia: A Guide"},"content":{"rendered":"

Onomatopoeia are words that describe how something sounds. Examples include bam, pow, or meow.<\/p>\n

In English, you might expect to hear\/read onomatopoeia in children’s books about what animals or in\u00a0 comics, but not so much in everyday conversation. However, in Japanese, you’d be surprised how much onomatopoeia is used fairly regularly.<\/p>\n

With this regular usage, there’s quite a bit to know about Japanese onomatopoeia. For instance, there are literally thousands of onomatopoeia words to know in Japanese!<\/p>\n

But don’t fret, onomatopoeia words can be very instinctive. For instance, if I told you that one was describing a low-pitched clanking sound and one a high-pitched clanking sound, you could most likely guess which was which between \u304d\u3093\u304d\u3093 (kinkin) and \u3054\u3093\u3054\u3093 (gongon). It just sounds<\/i> right that \u201cgongon\u201d is descriptive of something low-pitched and \u201ckinkin\u201d as something high-pitched.<\/p>\n

If I told you that \u3055\u3089\u3055\u3089 (sarasara) described a silky-smooth surface, it just seems right<\/i> that \u3056\u3089\u3056\u3089 (zarazara) describes a more rough surface, and so it is.
\n\"An
\nIn Japanese, there are three major groups of onomatopoeia words. They are:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u64ec\u58f0\u8a9e (giseigo): These are the sounds that animals (including us humans) make.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u64ec\u97f3\u8a9e (giongo): These are sounds that inanimate objects make.<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u64ec\u614b\u8a9e (gitaigo): These are words that represent states of being. <\/strong><\/p>\n

If you know about the Japanese writing system, you may be wondering how to commonly write onomatopoeia sounds. Well, some onomatopoeia even have kanji! <\/span><\/p>\n

Thankfully for those who don’t like to memorize, onomatopoeia is usually written in kana. Both katakana and hiragana<\/a> are used in writing onomatopoeia, and really it is up to the author what they want to use. Throughout this article, for consistency\u2019s sake, I use only hiragana.\u00a0<\/span>
\n\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

The Three Types of Japanese Onomatopoeia<\/strong><\/h2>\n

Below I outline three different categories of Japanese onomatopoeia.<\/p>\n

The best way to learn these kinds of words is by seeing them in context. The LingQ Japanese library is full of interesting lessons to suit all interests. Why not sign up for a free account today<\/a> and see how learning on LingQ accelerates your language skills.
\n\"Japanese<\/p>\n

<\/h2>\n

\u64ec\u58f0\u8a9e (Giseigo)<\/b><\/h2>\n

These words are like what you learned as a young child \u2013 the cow goes moo, etc. \u2013 but they also include things like human laughter and other human sounds (think of the English \u201chaha!\u201d). <\/span><\/p>\n

Here are many important ones to know concerning animals:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u308f\u3093\u308f\u3093 (wanwan)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound a dog makes when barking. Think of it like \u201cwoof\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u306b\u3083\u30fc(nya-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201cmeow\u201d, the sound a cat makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3061\u3085\u3093\u3061\u3085\u3093 (chunchun)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the general sound of a bird. Think of it like a \u201cchirp\u201d or \u201ctweet\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3051\u3093\u3051\u3093 (kenken)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of a chicken, like \u201ccluck\u201d in English. This is also the sound a fox makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304c\u30fc\u304c\u30fc (ga-ga-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201cquack\u201d, the sound a duck makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u307b\u30fc\u307b\u30fc (ho-ho-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201choo\u201d, the sound an owl makes.<\/span>
\n\"Learn<\/a><\/p>\n

\u304b\u30fc\u304b\u30fc (ka-ka-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound a crow makes, very similar to \u201ccaw\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3082\u30fc\u3082\u30fc (mo-mo-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound a cow makes, like \u201cmoo\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304c\u304a\u30fc (gao-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

Think of this like \u201cgrowl\u201d in English. It is used for big creatures like bears.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3072\u3072\u3044\u3093 (hihiin)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound horses make. Think of it like \u201cneigh\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3076\u30fc\u3076\u30fc (bu-bu-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201coink\u201d, the sound a pig makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3081\u30fc\u3081\u30fc (me-me-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is what a sheep sounds like. Think of it like \u201cbah\u201d in English.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3046\u304d\u3046\u304d (ukiuki)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201coo oo ah ah\u201d in English, the sound a monkey makes.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3052\u308d\u3052\u308d (gerogero)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound a frog makes, like \u201cribbit\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3061\u3085\u30fc\u3061\u3085\u30fc (chu-chu-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound a mouse makes, like \u201csqueak\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3076\u30fc\u30fc\u30fc\u3093 (bu—n)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201cbuzz\u201d, the sound a bee makes. <\/span>
\n\"An<\/p>\n

That should cover a lot of common animals. The following <\/span>are common noises us people make:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3042\u306f\u306f (ahaha)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201chaha\u201d and refers to people laughing.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3046\u308f\u30fc\u3093 (uwa-n)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of a baby crying, like \u201cwaah\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304d\u3083\u30fc (kya-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is what it sounds like when people scream, like \u201caah\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304f\u3059\u304f\u3059 (kusukusu) <\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is for quiet laughter.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3046\u3075\u3075 (ufufu)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is laughing as if I know something you don’t. In English, I would try to say it is something like \u201chm hm hm\u201d.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3042\u307b\u3093 (ahon)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is like \u201cahem\u201d, a sound of clearing your throat to redirect attention.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u64ec\u97f3\u8a9e (Giongo)<\/b><\/h2>\n

This category of Japanese onomatopoeia words depicts sounds that inanimate objects make, like the rumbling of thunder. We have less uniform versions of these sounds in English, but here are some of these words in Japanese:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3074\u3085\u30fc\u3074\u3085\u30fc (pyu-pyu-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of strong wintry winds.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3053\u307c\u3053\u307c (kobokobo)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is what water bubbling gently sounds like.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3054\u308d\u3054\u308d (gorogoro)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of thunder or of something heavy rolling, like a boulder chasing after you in a booby trapped Egyptian tomb.<\/span>
\n\"An<\/p>\n

\u3056\u30fc\u3056\u30fc (za-za-)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of heavy rain.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u305f\u305f\u305f\u305f (tatatata)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of footsteps, as if someone is running quickly.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3055\u304f\u3055\u304f (sakusaku)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is the sound of stepping on sand.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u64ec\u614b\u8a9e (Gitaigo)<\/b><\/h2>\n

This category covers<\/span> words that represent actions, motions, or states that don’t make sounds.
\nThese words are probably more likely to come up in conversations than the sound a cow makes, and are common in comics. Here are some ones you might be glad to know:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3073\u3057\u3087\u3073\u3057\u3087 (bishobisho)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being soaked by water.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3079\u305f\u3079\u305f (betabeta)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being sticky, especially with sweat.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3055\u3093\u3055\u3093 (sansan)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of strong sunlight.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3072\u3093\u3084\u308a (hin\u2019yari)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of when it is cool.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089 (kirakira)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of sparkling.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3046\u308d\u3046\u308d (urouro)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of aimless wandering.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3076\u308b\u3076\u308b (buruburu)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of trembling, such as trembling with anger.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3050\u3063\u3059\u308a (gussuri)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of \u201csleeping like a baby\u201d, as in being sound asleep.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3050\u30fc\u305f\u3089 (gu-tara)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being lazy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u306e\u308d\u306e\u308d (noronoro)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being sluggish. <\/span><\/p>\n

\"An<\/p>\n

The next set of <\/span>gitaigo<\/span><\/i> is representative of emotional states:<\/span><\/p>\n

\u308f\u304f\u308f\u304f (wakuwaku)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being excited.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3056\u304d\u3056\u304d (zakizaki)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being heartbroken. It is also descriptive of throbbing pain, much like the pain of being heartbroken.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3082\u3084\u3082\u3084 (moyamoya)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being worried or gloomy.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3082\u3058\u3082\u3058 (mojimoji)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of being bashful or fidgety.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u304f\u3088\u304f\u3088 (kuyokuyo)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of someone brooding over something.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u3046\u3063\u3068\u308a (uttori)<\/strong><\/h3>\n

This is descriptive of someone being spellbound. <\/span><\/p>\n

Japanese onomatopoeia is one of those things that comes more naturally the more familiar you are with the language. You’ll sound much more like a native speaker<\/a> if you know how to use them well.<\/span><\/p>\n

Using LingQ is the<\/span> best way to learn Japanese<\/span><\/a> because it allows you to import content that you love. You can easily import any Japanese ghost story you find online (or anime, dramas, songs, and so on) into LingQ and it will automatically create a brand new lesson for you. Highlight new words and add them to your vocabulary deck. You have an infinite amount of content to learn from. Good luck!<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

***<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Caiman Cotton is a freelance Japanese translator who has studied the language for years. He hopes to one day also study Latin.<\/span><\/em><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Onomatopoeia are words that describe how something sounds. Examples include bam, pow, or meow. In English, you might expect to hear\/read onomatopoeia in children’s books about what animals or in\u00a0 …<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":7,"featured_media":176590823,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[40],"tags":[86,105],"class_list":["post-176590708","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-learning-japanese","tag-basic-japanese","tag-english"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"\nJapanese Onomatopoeia: A Guide - LingQ Language Blog<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"You'd be surprised how regularly onomatopoeia is used in Japanese. 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