Onomatopoeia
Japanese onomatopoeia — sounds, states, emotions, and mimetic expressions organized by category.
About Japanese Onomatopoeia (オノマトペ)
Japanese has one of the richest onomatopoeia systems in the world, with three major categories:
- 擬音語 (giongo) — Words that imitate actual sounds (rain, animals, impacts).
- 擬態語 (gitaigo) — Words that describe states, conditions, or appearances (texture, movement, visual).
- 擬情語 (gijougo) — Words that describe emotions, feelings, or sensations (excitement, pain, mood).
Grammar patterns:
- X + と + verb: にこにこと笑う (smile with a grin)
- X + する: どきどきする (to feel heart pounding)
- X + な/の + noun: ふわふわな布団 (a fluffy futon)
Sound symbolism: Voiced consonants (が・ざ・だ・ば) feel heavier or rougher. Voiceless consonants (か・さ・た) feel lighter or cleaner. P-sounds (ぱ・ぴ・ぷ) feel light and popping. Doubling (ABAB) implies repetition or continuation. A っ adds sharpness. A り ending softens and sustains.
Sound Words — Weather & Nature
Weather
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ざあざあ | heavy pouring rain |
| しとしと | gentle, steady drizzle |
| ぱらぱら | light scattered rain; flipping pages |
| ぽつぽつ | raindrops starting to fall |
| ぽたぽた | dripping (water drops falling) |
| どしゃどしゃ | torrential, driving rain |
| ごろごろ | rumbling thunder; rolling; lazing around |
| ぴかっ | a sudden flash (of lightning) |
| ぴかぴか | sparkling; brand-new; shiny |
| ひゅうひゅう | howling, whistling wind |
| びゅうびゅう | strong gusting wind |
| そよそよ | gentle breeze blowing softly |
| ちらちら | snow fluttering down; glancing |
| ぽかぽか | warm and pleasant (sunshine) |
| じめじめ | damp, humid, muggy |
| むしむし | hot and humid; muggy and stuffy |
| かんかん | scorching sun; blazing hot |
Water
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ざぶん | big splash (jumping into water) |
| ざぶざぶ | splashing through water repeatedly |
| じゃぶじゃぶ | wading or splashing around in water |
| ばしゃばしゃ | splashing water around noisily |
| ちょろちょろ | trickling water; darting about |
| さらさら | flowing smoothly (stream); silky |
| ごうごう | roaring (river, fire, wind) |
| ぶくぶく | bubbling up; getting fat |
| ちゃぷちゃぷ | gentle lapping or sloshing of water |
| すいすい | gliding smoothly through water or air |
Sound Words — Impact, Objects & Machines
Impact & Collision
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ばたん | slamming (a door) shut |
| ばたばた | flapping; bustling about noisily |
| がちゃん | crash; clatter of something breaking |
| がちゃ | click of a lock or door handle |
| がちゃがちゃ | clattering; jangling noise |
| どん | thud; heavy boom |
| どーん | loud, deep boom or explosion |
| どんどん | banging; rapidly progressing |
| ばん | bang; sharp impact sound |
| がん | clang; hard metallic hit |
| ぱん | pop; clap; light sharp sound |
| ぱちん | snap; clicking shut |
| ぱちぱち | clapping; crackling (fire) |
| とんとん | light knocking; tapping |
| こんこん | knocking on a door; light coughing |
| こつこつ | tapping; working steadily and diligently |
| がたがた | rattling; shaking; chattering teeth |
| がたんごとん | rumbling and rattling (train on tracks) |
Breaking, Friction & Surfaces
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ばりばり | ripping; tearing; crunching loudly |
| びりびり | tearing paper; electric shock tingling |
| べりべり | peeling or ripping off (tape, sticker) |
| ぱりぱり | crispy; crackly (food, starched fabric) |
| ぎしぎし | creaking (floor, wood under weight) |
| きしきし | squeaking; light creaking |
| みしみし | creaking under weight or strain |
| かさかさ | rustling (dry leaves); dry skin |
| がさがさ | rustling roughly; coarse texture |
| ぼきっ | snapping sound (breaking a stick) |
| ぽきっ | snapping something smaller |
| ぱきっ | cracking or snapping cleanly |
| ばきっ | breaking with a loud crack |
| ぼろぼろ | crumbling; falling apart; worn out |
Metal, Bells & Resonance
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| かちかち | clicking; frozen hard; stiff |
| かちっ | a single click (switch, lighter) |
| かんかん | clanging (metal); furiously angry |
| ちりんちりん | tinkling (small bell, bicycle bell) |
| りんりん | ringing (bell); chirping (insects) |
| じゃらじゃら | jingling; clinking (coins, chains) |
| からから | rattling; empty; parched dry |
| がらがら | clattering; gargling; empty (room) |
| ちくたく | tick-tock (clock) |
| ぶんぶん | buzzing (insect); swinging around |
| ぶうん | humming or buzzing (engine, machine) |
| きーっ | screeching (brakes) |
| ぷぷー | beeping (car horn) |
| ぴっ | short beep or electronic sound |
Sound Words — Animals & Human Sounds
Animal Sounds
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| わんわん | woof woof (dog barking) |
| にゃあにゃあ | meow meow (cat) |
| にゃー | meow (single cat cry) |
| ちゅうちゅう | squeak squeak (mouse) |
| もうもう | moo (cow) |
| めえめえ | baa (sheep or goat) |
| ぶうぶう | oink (pig); complaining |
| ひひーん | neigh (horse) |
| こけこっこう | cock-a-doodle-doo (rooster) |
| がおー | roar (lion, bear) |
| かあかあ | caw caw (crow) |
| ほうほう | hoot hoot (owl) |
| ちゅんちゅん | chirp chirp (sparrow) |
| ぴよぴよ | peep peep (chick) |
| けろけろ | ribbit ribbit (frog) |
| みんみん | buzzing drone (cicada) |
Human Body Sounds
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ごほごほ | coughing (rough, deep cough) |
| こんこん | coughing lightly; knocking |
| はくしょん | achoo! (sneeze) |
| くしゅん | small sneeze |
| はあはあ | panting; heavy breathing |
| ぜえぜえ | wheezing; gasping for breath |
| すうすう | breathing softly while sleeping |
| ぐうぐう | snoring; stomach growling |
| ひくひく | hiccupping; twitching |
| ばくばく | heart pounding hard |
| ごくり | swallowing with a single gulp |
| ぶるぶる | shivering; trembling with cold or fear |
Laughing & Crying
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| げらげら | laughing loudly; guffawing |
| くすくす | giggling; snickering quietly |
| にこにこ | smiling happily; beaming |
| にやにや | grinning; smirking knowingly |
| にたにた | grinning in a sly or creepy way |
| にっこり | flashing a bright smile |
| あはは | hearty open laugh |
| えへへ | sheepish, embarrassed laugh |
| わあわあ | wailing; crying loudly |
| おいおい | crying aloud; sobbing heavily |
| しくしく | sobbing quietly; weeping softly |
| めそめそ | whimpering; being weepy |
| ぽろぽろ | tears falling; crumbling apart |
| うるうる | eyes welling up with tears |
Speech & Crowd
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぺちゃくちゃ | chattering away noisily |
| べらべら | blabbing; talking too much |
| ぺらぺら | speaking fluently; thin and flimsy |
| すらすら | reading or speaking smoothly |
| ぶつぶつ | muttering; grumbling under breath |
| ぼそぼそ | mumbling quietly; dry and crumbly |
| がやがや | noisy crowd chatter |
| ざわざわ | murmuring; rustling unease in a crowd |
| わいわい | lively, boisterous chatter |
| きゃあきゃあ | squealing; shrieking with excitement |
| ぎゃあぎゃあ | screaming; yelling noisily |
| ひそひそ | whispering secretly |
り Adverbs & と Adverbs
Adverbs with り and と
Many onomatopoeia form adverbs by adding り (softer, sustained nuance) or と (momentary, crisp nuance). These are used directly before verbs and often describe manner of action or a resulting state.
Common り-Adverbs
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぐっすり | soundly (sleeping deeply) |
| はっきり | clearly; distinctly |
| びっくり | surprised; startled |
| すっきり | refreshed; clear-headed |
| ゆっくり | slowly; at a leisurely pace |
| のんびり | leisurely; in a relaxed way |
| がっかり | disappointed; let down |
| しっかり | firmly; properly; reliably |
| うっかり | carelessly; absentmindedly |
| こっそり | secretly; stealthily |
| ぼんやり | vaguely; absentmindedly; hazily |
| ぎっしり | packed tightly; crammed full |
| どっさり | in large quantities; a heap of |
| さっぱり | refreshed; not at all (with negative) |
| あっさり | simply; lightly; easily giving up |
| こってり | rich; thick; heavy (flavor) |
| ぐったり | exhausted; limp; wilted |
| うんざり | fed up; sick and tired of |
| げっそり | gaunt; haggard; visibly thinner |
| きっぱり | decisively; flatly; firmly |
| すっぽり | completely covered; fitting snugly |
| たっぷり | plenty; fully; generously |
| ぴったり | exactly; perfectly fitting; snug |
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| やんわり | gently; softly; mildly |
| ふんわり | softly; fluffily; lightly |
| しっとり | moist; damp; composed |
| ねっとり | sticky; gooey; clingy |
| べったり | sticking closely; clinging to |
| めっきり | noticeably; markedly (decline) |
| すんなり | smoothly; without resistance |
| ちゃっかり | shrewdly; taking advantage of |
| ひっそり | quietly; in secret; deserted |
| そっくり | exactly alike; spitting image |
| どっしり | solidly; heavily; imposing |
| がっちり | solidly built; firmly; tightly |
| ぽっかり | gaping open; floating (moon) |
| ふっくら | plump; soft; fluffy |
| ほっそり | slender; slim |
| ぽっちゃり | plump; chubby (endearing) |
| むっつり | sullen; morose; tight-lipped |
| にっこり | with a bright smile |
| こんがり | nicely browned; toasted golden |
| しんなり | wilted; limp; softened |
| のっそり | sluggishly; slowly moving |
| じっくり | carefully; thoroughly; patiently |
| ほんのり | faintly; slightly; a hint of |
Common と-Adverbs
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぐっと | with a strong pull; much more |
| はっと | with a start; taken aback |
| さっと | quickly; swiftly; in a flash |
| ぱっと | suddenly; at a glance; brightly |
| ふと | suddenly; unexpectedly; casually |
| じっと | still; motionless; staring fixedly |
| きっと | surely; certainly; with a stern look |
| ちょっと | a little; slightly; for a moment |
| ずっと | throughout; much more; the whole time |
| そっと | gently; quietly; softly |
| ほっと | with relief; sighing with relief |
| ぞっと | shuddering with fear or disgust |
| かっと | flaring up with anger; eyes wide open |
| むっと | getting annoyed; feeling stuffy |
State & Appearance (擬態語)
Visual Appearance
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| きらきら | sparkling; glittering (stars, eyes) |
| ぎらぎら | glaring; dazzling harshly (sun) |
| てかてか | shiny; glossy (oily surface) |
| つやつや | glossy; lustrous (healthy hair, skin) |
| ちかちか | flickering; flashing on and off |
| ぴかぴか | sparkling clean; brand-new; shiny |
| ひらひら | fluttering (petals, paper, flag) |
| はたはた | flapping (flag in the wind) |
| ゆらゆら | swaying gently; wavering |
| くるくる | spinning around; revolving |
| ぐるぐる | going round and round; spiraling |
| ちらちら | flickering; fluttering; glancing |
Texture & Surface
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ふわふわ | fluffy; soft; light (clouds, cotton) |
| もふもふ | fluffy; furry (cuddly animals) |
| もちもち | chewy; springy; mochi-like texture |
| さらさら | smooth; silky (hair); flowing (sand) |
| ざらざら | rough; grainy; gritty texture |
| つるつる | slippery; smooth (ice, noodles) |
| すべすべ | smooth (skin); silky to the touch |
| ごわごわ | stiff; rough (fabric, towel) |
| べとべと | sticky; clammy (with sweat) |
| ねばねば | sticky; gooey; stringy (natto) |
| ぬるぬる | slimy; slippery (wet surface) |
| とろとろ | thick; melty; gooey (food, dozing) |
| どろどろ | muddy; thick; entangled (relationship) |
| ぱさぱさ | dry; flaky (hair, food) |
| しっとり | moist; damp; elegant (skin, cake) |
| かちかち | frozen hard; stiff; rigid |
| ふかふか | soft and springy (bed, carpet) |
| かさかさ | dry and rough (skin, leaves) |
| ぐにゃぐにゃ | flexible; limp; bendy |
Shape & Form
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| でこぼこ | bumpy; uneven (road, surface) |
| ぼこぼこ | full of dents or bumps; beaten up |
| ぺしゃんこ | flattened; squashed flat |
| ぺちゃんこ | flat; crushed; flat-nosed |
| ぶかぶか | loose-fitting; too big (clothing) |
| だぶだぶ | baggy; too loose; overflowing |
| ぱんぱん | full to bursting; swollen; slapping |
| ぷくぷく | puffy; chubby; bubbling up |
| ぎゅうぎゅう | squeezed; packed tight; stuffed in |
| しわしわ | wrinkled; shriveled |
Movement & Manner
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| のろのろ | sluggishly; frustratingly slowly |
| てきぱき | efficiently; briskly; promptly |
| きびきび | briskly; crisply; energetically |
| ふらふら | staggering; dizzy; wandering aimlessly |
| よろよろ | tottering; stumbling weakly |
| うろうろ | wandering around aimlessly; loitering |
| ぐらぐら | shaky; wobbly; unstable |
| くねくね | winding; wriggling; meandering |
| ぴょんぴょん | hopping; bouncing around |
| ぱたぱた | flapping; pattering (feet) |
| ばたばた | flapping hard; rushing about |
| だらだら | lazily; sluggishly; dripping sweat |
| ころころ | rolling; round and small; changing |
| ごろごろ | rolling; rumbling; lounging around |
Emotions & Sensations (擬情語)
Positive Emotions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| わくわく | excited; thrilled with anticipation |
| どきどき | heart pounding (excitement or nerves) |
| うきうき | cheerful; in high spirits |
| るんるん | in great spirits; humming happily |
| にこにこ | smiling happily; beaming |
| うっとり | entranced; enraptured; dreamily |
| しみじみ | deeply; keenly; heartfelt |
| ほっ | relieved; sighing with relief |
| のびのび | freely; in a carefree, relaxed way |
| いきいき | lively; vivid; full of life |
Negative Emotions
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| いらいら | irritated; impatient; frustrated |
| むかむか | feeling nauseous; feeling angry |
| かっか | fuming with rage; burning up |
| ぷんぷん | angry; fuming; stinking |
| むしゃくしゃ | frustrated; in a terrible mood |
| もやもや | feeling unsettled; foggy; hazy |
| くよくよ | worrying; brooding over something |
| しょんぼり | dejected; downcast; crestfallen |
| がっくり | deeply disappointed; let down |
| しゅん | feeling down; drooping with sadness |
| うんざり | fed up; sick and tired of |
| げんなり | wearied; tired of; disheartened |
Anxiety & Nervousness
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| そわそわ | restless; fidgety; on edge |
| はらはら | anxious; worried; on tenterhooks |
| びくびく | frightened; timid; flinching |
| おどおど | nervous; timid; lacking confidence |
| おろおろ | flustered; at a loss; panicking |
| あたふた | in a panic; flustered and rushing |
| どぎまぎ | flustered; confused; thrown off |
| ぞくぞく | shivering with fear; thrilling chills |
| ひやひや | nervous; on edge; a close call |
Physical Sensations
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ずきずき | throbbing pain (headache, toothache) |
| がんがん | pounding (severe headache); loudly |
| きりきり | sharp, piercing pain (stomach) |
| ちくちく | pricking; stinging (needle, remark) |
| ひりひり | stinging; burning (sunburn, wound) |
| じんじん | tingling; numbing sensation |
| ずきん | a single sharp throb of pain |
| くらくら | dizzy; lightheaded |
| ふらふら | lightheaded; unsteady; wavering |
| むずむず | itching; restless; eager to act |
| ぞわぞわ | goosebumps; creepy crawling feeling |
| がくがく | knees shaking; trembling (legs) |
| ぶるぶる | shivering; shaking (cold, fear) |
| ほかほか | warm; steaming; comfortably hot |
| ひんやり | cool; refreshingly cold to the touch |
| ぽかぽか | warm and pleasant; comfy warmth |
Daily Life & Actions
Eating & Drinking
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| もぐもぐ | chewing; munching with mouth closed |
| ぱくぱく | eating with big bites; mouth opening and closing |
| むしゃむしゃ | munching; chewing heartily |
| がつがつ | wolfing down food; eating greedily |
| ぼりぼり | crunching; biting something hard |
| ばりばり | crunching loudly; eating crispy food |
| かりかり | crispy; crunchy (food or texture) |
| ぽりぽり | light crunching; nibbling |
| こりこり | crunchy; firm and chewy (cartilage) |
| がりがり | crunching hard; scraping; scrawny |
| ごくごく | gulping down a drink |
| がぶがぶ | guzzling; drinking in big gulps |
| ちびちび | sipping little by little |
| ずるずる | slurping (noodles); dragging along |
| ぺろぺろ | licking repeatedly |
| ぺろり | licking clean; eating in one go |
Walking & Movement
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| すたすた | walking briskly; striding along |
| てくてく | walking steadily; trudging along |
| とぼとぼ | trudging wearily; walking dejectedly |
| よちよち | toddling (baby walking unsteadily) |
| のそのそ | lumbering; moving slowly and heavily |
| のろのろ | sluggishly; painfully slowly |
| ぶらぶら | strolling aimlessly; dangling |
| うろうろ | wandering around without purpose |
| そろそろ | slowly; carefully; it is about time |
| どたどた | stomping; running noisily |
| どたばた | running around in chaos; slapstick |
| すいすい | moving smoothly and effortlessly |
| さっさと | quickly; promptly; hurrying along |
Sleep & Rest
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぐうぐう | snoring; sleeping soundly |
| すやすや | sleeping peacefully (child) |
| うとうと | dozing off; drowsing |
| ぐっすり | sleeping soundly and deeply |
| ごろごろ | lazing around; rumbling; rolling |
| だらだら | lounging lazily; dragging on; dripping |
| ぼーっと | spaced out; dazed; absentmindedly |
Condition & State
| Japanese | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ぴんぴん | lively; in great health; energetic |
| へとへと | completely exhausted; dead tired |
| くたくた | worn out; exhausted; overcooked |
| ぺこぺこ | starving hungry; bowing repeatedly |
| よれよれ | worn out; wrinkled (clothing, person) |
| ぼろぼろ | tattered; worn to shreds; in tears |
| ぐちゃぐちゃ | messy; jumbled; squishy |
| ごちゃごちゃ | cluttered; disorganized; muddled |
| ばらばら | scattered; apart; in pieces |
| めちゃくちゃ | messed up; absurd; reckless |
| ぐしゃぐしゃ | crumpled; soggy; messy |
| きちんと | neatly; properly; in good order |
| ちゃんと | properly; correctly; as expected |
Quick Usage Reference
Common Patterns at a Glance
The same word can appear in multiple patterns. For example, どきどき can be used as どきどきする (to feel nervous), どきどきと (nervously), or どきどきの (heart-pounding).
Used as する Verbs
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| どきどきする | to feel heart pounding |
| わくわくする | to feel excited |
| いらいらする | to feel irritated |
| そわそわする | to feel restless |
| うろうろする | to wander around |
| ぶらぶらする | to stroll aimlessly |
| にこにこする | to smile; be smiley |
| じろじろする | to stare rudely |
| ぐずぐずする | to dawdle; be slow |
| めそめそする | to be weepy; whimper |
Used as な/の Adjectives
| Expression | Meaning |
|---|---|
| ふわふわな/の | fluffy ~ |
| ぴかぴかの | sparkling clean ~ |
| ぼろぼろの | tattered ~; worn-out ~ |
| べとべとの | sticky ~; clammy ~ |
| つるつるの | slippery ~; smooth ~ |
| でこぼこの | bumpy ~; uneven ~ |
| さらさらの | silky ~; smooth ~ |
| ねばねばの | sticky ~; gooey ~ |
| ぶかぶかの | loose-fitting ~; oversized ~ |
| ぐちゃぐちゃの | messy ~; jumbled ~ |
Icons & Badges Reference
Usage Icons
話Used primarily in spoken Japanese
書Used primarily in written Japanese
男Used mostly by men
女Used mostly by women
子Used mostly by children
古Old / Archaic expression
硬Used in formal / stiff situations
!Use with caution (not for superiors)
!!Vulgar / expresses anger or disapproval
上Advanced (JLPT N2–N1)
★Reference-only (beyond JLPT scope)
↓Footnote
✕Incorrect usage
○Correct usage
Form Badges
NNoun
NONoun followed by the particle の
NANoun followed by な
TIMENoun indicating time
LOCNoun indicating location/place
ADJAdjective (i-adjective or na-adjective)
i-ADJi-Adjective (e.g. 高い)
na-ADJna-Adjective (e.g. 元気な)
VERB"Nounable" verb form
PASTPast-tense verb (〜た、〜ていた、etc.)
-U/-TAPresent or past verb (non-negative)
NAINegative form
-U/NAIPresent tense verb (regular or negative)
VERB+の"Nounable" verb form followed by の
SURUSuru-verb stem word (noun)
Verb Form Suffixes
-IVerb -I form (連用形)
-UVerb -U form (終止形)
-EVerb -E form (仮定形)
-OUVerb -OU form (意志形)
-TEVerb -TE form (て形)
-TAVerb -TA form (た形)
-TE+たVerb -TE form + past