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 |