Onomatopoeia plays a vibrant and integral role in the Japanese language, capturing sounds, sensations, and emotions in a uniquely expressive way. With a vast array of onomatopoeic words, Japan has developed a rich linguistic landscape that adds depth and vividness to everyday conversations. These words are commonly used in various contexts, including manga, anime, literature, and daily interactions.

They not only describe sounds but also convey the feelings, textures, and actions associated with them. Whether it’s the gentle rustling of leaves, the sizzling of food, or the pounding of a heart, onomatopoeia allows speakers of Japanese to effortlessly depict and share experiences with incredible nuance. So, dive into the world of Japanese onomatopoeia and discover how these playful and descriptive words enhance the language and bring vivid imagery to life.

Click here for a full explanation on Japanese onomatopeia

Katakana Romaji Meaning
がくん gakun Dropping heavily
ぎりぎり girigiri Just in time
くすくす kusukusu Giggling
ぐずぐず guzuguzu Slow and indecisive
ころころ korokoro Rolling
ざーっ za Splashing sound
しっかり shikkari Firmly
すっきり sukkiri Feeling refreshed
だぶだぶ dabudabu Loose and baggy
ちょきちょき chokichoki Cutting sound
つるつる tsurutsuru Smooth and slippery
どきどき dokidoki Heart pounding
なめなめ namename Licking
にこにこ nikoniko Smiling
ひきひき hikihiki Stinging sensation
ふわふわ fuwafuwa Fluffy
ほっそり hosshori Slim and slender
まっすぐ massugu Straight
むしむし mushimushi Humid and sweltering
れろれろ rerorero Licking sound
わくわく wakuwaku Excited
アワアワ awaawa Flustered
ガツガツ gatsugatsu Chomping
ギュッギュッ gyuggyuu Squeezing
クシャクシャ kushakusha Crumpling
ズボンズボン zubon zubon Swishing
ムズムズ muzumuzu Itchy
ゴシゴシ goshigoshi Scrubbing
クリクリ kurikuri Twirling
カリカリ karikari Crispy
パンパン panpan Slapping
ドボドボ dobo dobo Dripping
メラメラ meramera Blazing
キュルキュル kyurukyuru Squeaking
ズッシリ zushiri Heavy
ゴロンゴロン gorongoron Rolling
キュッキュッ kyukkyu Squeezing
キュッキュッ kyukkyu Squeezing
ザクザク zakuzaku Crispy
モリモリ morimori Eating heartily
ジリッ jiri Squeaking
ズボッ zubo Plunging
ポカポカ pokapoka Warm and cozy
キンキン kinkin Jingling
バリバリ baribari Crunching
ピチピチ pichipichi Elastic
ゴロゴロ gorogoro Rumbling
パチパチ pachipachi Clapping
シャキン shakin Jingling
ゴリゴリ gorigori Grinding
チョキン chokin Cutting
キラッ kira Sparkle
ズキズキ zukizuki Throbbing
ガタガタ gatagata Rattling
メラメラ meramera Blazing
ワンワン wanwan Barking
ゴソゴソ gosogoso Rustling
クリクリ kurikuri Twinkling
プルプル purupuru Trembling
シュワシュワ shuwashuwa Fizzy
グイグイ guigui Forcefully
ジュワッ jyuwa Sizzling
ゴチャゴチャ gochagocha Cluttered
ゴソゴソ gosogoso Fumbling
キュッキュッ kyukkyu Squeezing
パチパチ pachipachi Snapping
ズワッ zwa Swishing
グワングワン guwangwan Howling
ドキドキ dokidoki Heart pounding
ガツン gatsun Slamming
ジョロジョロ jorojoro Dripping
ピチッ pichi Tightly
ズルリ zuru Sliding
ヒクヒク hikuhiku Twitching
ガラガラ garagara Empty
グリグリ guriguri Rubbing
ゴリゴリ gorigori Crunching
パタパタ patapata Fluttering
シャッシャ shassha Swishing
ガリガリ garigari Scraping
キラキラ kirakira Sparkling
ズワズワ zuwazuwa Squirming
パタパタ patapata Flapping
ガチャガチャ gachagacha Clattering
チリチリ chirichiri Tickling
ゴクン gokun Gulping
シャリシャリ sharishari Scratching
カチカチ kachikachi Clicking
クラクラ kurakura Dizzy
ゴロゴロ gorogoro Snoring
ガヤガヤ gayagaya Noisy
ビリビリ biribiri Tingling
ジャリジャリ jarijari Grinding
シュッシュ shusshu Whispering
ペチペチ petchipeti Sticking
ガサガサ gasagasa Rustling
プカプカ pukapuka Floating
グングン gungun Thumping
ベチャベチャ bechabecha Soggy
ガツンガツン gatsungatsu Beating
ドカン doka Bang