# Japanese Mimetic Words: Gitaigo & Sound Symbolism Guide
> Japanese mimetic words like gitaigo and giongo are more than just words that imitate sounds. Discover how onomatopoeic or mimetic words work with examples.
**URL:** https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-mimetic-words-gitaigo-guide
**Last Updated:** 2026-03-03
**Tags:** vocabulary, phrases
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If you've spent any time reading Japanese manga or watching anime when [learning Japanese](https://migaku.com/learn-japanese), you've probably noticed those weird sound effect words scattered everywhere. Words like <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキ[どきどき;h]"></typo> (heart pounding) or <typo lang="ja" syntax="キラキラ[きらきら;h]"></typo> (sparkling) that seem to capture feelings and sensations in ways English just can't match. These are Japanese mimetic words, and they're a huge part of how native speakers actually communicate. The Japanese language has literally thousands of these sound symbolic expressions, and learning them will make you sound way more natural than just memorizing [verb conjugation](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/japanese-verb-conjugation)s ever could.

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## What are Japanese mimetic words anyway
> <CenteredText bold underline>💡 Definition 💡 </CenteredText>  <br> <CenteredText>Japanese mimetic words are expressions that represent sounds, actions, states, or feelings through phonetic imitation. </CenteredText>

The Japanese language uses these words constantly in everyday conversation, way more than English speakers use onomatopoeia. While English has basic sound words like "boom" or "splash," Japanese has developed an incredibly rich system of mimetic [vocabulary](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/how-to-learn-japanese-vocabulary) that covers everything from the sound of rain to the feeling of being anxious to the texture of slippery objects.

Here's the thing: these aren't just cute additions to the language. Native speakers use mimetic words all the time to add nuance and specificity to their descriptions. You'll hear them in casual conversation, see them in professional writing, and they're absolutely everywhere in [manga and anime](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/anime-japanese-history). Understanding them makes a massive difference in comprehension.

The Japanese term for these expressions is <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬音語[ぎおんご;h]"></typo> and <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬態語[ぎたいご;h]"></typo>, which we'll break down in the next section.

### Where Japanese mimetic words come from
The origin of Japanese mimetic words is tied to the language's phonetic structure and cultural emphasis on sensory description. Japanese has a relatively simple syllable structure compared to English, which actually makes it easier to create these words that mimic sounds.

Historically, mimetic words have been part of Japanese for centuries, appearing in classical literature and poetry. They've evolved and expanded over time, with new ones being created even today. You'll see modern mimetic words in manga and internet slang that didn't exist 20 years ago.

The writing system also plays a role. Mimetic words are usually written in katakana in modern Japanese, which visually sets them apart and signals their special function. In older texts, you might see them in [hiragana](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/the-japanese-language-hiragana), and some standardized ones have [kanji](https://migaku.com/blog/japanese/how-to-learn-kanji) representations like <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬音語[ぎおんご;h]"></typo>.

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## The main types of onomatopoeia and mimetic words in Japanese
Japanese divides mimetic words into several distinct categories based on what they represent. This classification system helps organize the thousands of expressions you'll encounter.

### Giseigo (擬声語): Animal and human sounds
> <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬声語[ぎせいご;h]"></typo> (giseigo) represents **sounds made by living things**. These are probably the closest to what English speakers think of as traditional onomatopoeia.

Some common examples:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ワンワン[わんわん;h]"></typo> (wan wan) - dog barking
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ニャーニャー[にゃーにゃー;h]"></typo> (nyaa nyaa) - cat meowing
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ゲラゲラ[げらげら;h]"></typo> (gera gera) - loud laughter
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ペラペラ[ぺらぺら;h]"></typo> (pera pera) - speaking fluently

That last one is interesting because it literally sounds like rapid talking, and Japanese people use it all the time to describe someone who speaks a language fluently.

### Giongo (擬音語): Non-living sounds
> <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬音語[ぎおんご;h]"></typo> (giongo) covers **sounds made by inanimate objects and natural phenomena**. This category overlaps somewhat with giseigo, and many Japanese speakers use the term giongo as an umbrella term for both.

Examples include:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ザーザー[ざーざー;h]"></typo> (zaa zaa) - heavy rain pouring
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ゴロゴロ[ごろごろ;h]"></typo> (goro goro) - thunder rumbling
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="カチカチ[かちかち;h]"></typo> (kachi kachi) - clicking or ticking sound
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドンドン[どんどん;h]"></typo> (don don) - pounding or banging

### Gitaigo (擬態語): States and conditions
Here's where Japanese gets really interesting. 

> <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬態語[ぎたいご;h]"></typo> (gitaigo) represents **states, conditions, and manners of action** that don't actually make sounds. This category doesn't have a direct equivalent in English, and it's where Japanese mimetic words really shine.

Common gitaigo examples:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="キラキラ[きらきら;h]"></typo> (kira kira) - sparkling, glittering
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="フワフワ[ふわふわ;h]"></typo> (fuwa fuwa) - fluffy, soft, floating
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ツルツル[つるつる;h]"></typo> (tsuru tsuru) - smooth, slippery
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ヌルヌル[ぬるぬる;h]"></typo> (nuru nuru) - slimy, slippery (in a wet way)

To answer that question about sound symbolism: nurunuru definitely means slimy, not dry. The "nuru" sound in Japanese tends to evoke wet, slippery sensations. Once you start paying attention, you'll notice patterns in how certain sounds correlate with certain meanings.

### Gijougo (擬情語): Feelings and emotions
> <typo lang="ja" syntax="擬情語[ぎじょうご;h]"></typo> (gijougo) describes **emotional states and psychological conditions**. Some people consider this a subcategory of gitaigo, but it's worth highlighting separately.

Examples:
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキ[どきどき;h]"></typo> (doki doki) - heart pounding from excitement or nervousness
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ワクワク[わくわく;h]"></typo> (waku waku) - excited anticipation
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="イライラ[いらいら;h]"></typo> (ira ira) - irritated, frustrated
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ウキウキ[うきうき;h]"></typo> (uki uki) - cheerful, buoyant mood

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## How Japanese onomatopoeia words and mimetic words work in grammar
Mimetic words are incredibly flexible in Japanese grammar. They can function as adverbs, verbs, adjectives, and even nouns depending on how you use them.

### As adverbs
The most common usage is as an adverb modifying a verb. You just place the mimetic word before the verb it describes.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="雨[あめ;h]がザーザー 降[ふ;a]って いる[あめがざーざーふっている;h]"></typo><br>*The rain is pouring down heavily.*
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="彼女[かのじょ;h]はニコニコ 笑[わら;a] った[かのじょはにこにこわらった;h]"></typo><br>*She smiled cheerfully.*

### With suru verb
You can attach <typo lang="ja" syntax="する[する;h]"></typo> (suru, "to do") to many mimetic words to create verbs. This is super productive in Japanese.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="キラキラする[きらきらする;h]"></typo> (kira kira suru) - to sparkle
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキする[どきどきする;h]"></typo> (doki doki suru) - to feel one's heart pound
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="イライラする[いらいらする;h]"></typo> (ira ira suru) - to feel irritated

### Describing objects and states
Mimetic words can describe the inherent quality of an object or state when combined with certain grammatical patterns.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="このクッションはフワフワだ[このくっしょんはふわふわだ;h]"></typo><br>*This cushion is fluffy.*

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## Sound patterns and meaning in Japanese
One of the coolest things about Japanese mimetic words is that the sounds themselves carry meaning. Once you learn the patterns, you can actually guess the general meaning of mimetic words you've never seen before.

### Voicing changes intensity
Many mimetic words come in pairs where the voiced version (using dakuten marks like が, ざ, だ) indicates a heavier, stronger, or rougher quality than the unvoiced version.

- <typo lang="ja" syntax="サラサラ[さらさら;h]"></typo> (sara sara) - smooth, silky, dry and flowing
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ザラザラ[ざらざら;h]"></typo> (zara zara) - rough, gritty
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="コロコロ[ころころ;h]"></typo> (koro koro) - light rolling
- <typo lang="ja" syntax="ゴロゴロ[ごろごろ;h]"></typo> (goro goro) - heavy rolling or rumbling

### Repetition and rhythm in onomatopoeic expressions
Most mimetic words use repetition (ABAB pattern) which gives them that distinctive rhythmic quality. Single iterations exist but are less common in everyday speech.

The repetition often implies continuation or repetition of the action or state being described.

### Sound symbolism patterns
Certain sounds tend to correlate with specific meanings across many mimetic words:

- "p" sounds often suggest light, airy, or popping sensations
- "b" sounds suggest heavier or duller versions
- "ts" sounds often relate to smooth or slippery textures
- "r" sounds frequently appear in words about rolling or flowing

This sound symbolism isn't random. Linguistic research has shown that Japanese speakers can guess the meaning of made-up mimetic words with surprising accuracy based on these phonetic patterns.

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## Common mimetic words you'll see everywhere
Here are some high-frequency mimetic words that appear constantly in Japanese media and conversation. Learning these will give you a solid foundation.

| Category | Japanese | English |
| - | - | - |
| **Appearance and visual effects** | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ピカピカ[ぴかぴか;h]"></typo> | shiny, sparkling clean |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="キラキラ[きらきら;h]"></typo> | glittering, twinkling |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ボロボロ[ぼろぼろ;h]"></typo> | worn out, falling apart |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ピカッ[ぴかっ;h]"></typo> | flash of light |
| **Emotional states** | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキ[どきどき;h]"></typo> | heart pounding |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ワクワク[わくわく;h]"></typo> | excited |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ガッカリ[がっかり;h]"></typo> | disappointed |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ウトウト[うとうと;h]"></typo> | drowsy, nodding off |
| **Physical sensations** | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ズキズキ[ずきずき;h]"></typo> | throbbing pain |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ヒリヒリ[ひりひり;h]"></typo> | stinging, burning sensation |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="フラフラ[ふらふら;h]"></typo> | dizzy, unsteady |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ゾクゾク[ぞくぞく;h]"></typo> | shivering, thrilling |
| **Actions and movements** | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ゆっくり[ゆっくり;h]"></typo> | slowly, leisurely |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="サッと[さっと;h]"></typo> | quickly, swiftly |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="ブラブラ[ぶらぶら;h]"></typo> | dangling, wandering aimlessly |
|  | <typo lang="ja" syntax="グルグル[ぐるぐる;h]"></typo> | spinning, going in circles |

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## Learning strategies for mimetic words
So, how do you actually learn onomatopoeic or mimetic words? There are thousands of mimetic words in Japanese, and memorizing them all through flashcards would be pretty brutal.

### Pay attention to context
The best way to learn mimetic words is through context. When you encounter one in manga, anime, or conversation, pay attention to what's happening. The visual or situational context usually makes the meaning pretty obvious.

Manga is especially great for this because the mimetic words are often written right next to the visual representation of what they describe. You see <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキ[どきどき;h]"></typo> written next to a character's chest when they're nervous, and boom, you've learned it.

### Learn Japanese mimetic words by category
Instead of learning random mimetic words, focus on categories that matter to you. If you're into cooking, learn texture and taste words. If you read romance manga, emotional state words become important.

Some useful categories:
- **Textures**: <typo lang="ja" syntax="ツルツル[つるつる;h]"></typo> (smooth), <typo lang="ja" syntax="ザラザラ[ざらざら;h]"></typo> (rough), <typo lang="ja" syntax="モチモチ[もちもち;h]"></typo> (chewy)
- **Movement**: <typo lang="ja" syntax="ユラユラ[ゆらゆら;h]"></typo> (swaying), <typo lang="ja" syntax="フラフラ[ふらふら;h]"></typo> (staggering), <typo lang="ja" syntax="スイスイ[すいすい;h]"></typo> (smoothly)
- **Weather**: <typo lang="ja" syntax="ザーザー[ざーざー;h]"></typo> (pouring rain), <typo lang="ja" syntax="シトシト[しとしと;h]"></typo> (light rain), <typo lang="ja" syntax="カンカン[かんかん;h]"></typo> (blazing sun)

### Learn the sound patterns
Once you understand the basic sound symbolism patterns, you can make educated guesses about unfamiliar mimetic words. This is way more effective than trying to memorize every single word in isolation.

When you see a new mimetic word, ask yourself: Does it use voiced or unvoiced sounds? What consonants appear? Is it repeated? These clues will point you toward the general meaning.

### Use onomatopoeia and mimetic words actively
Mimetic words are meant to be used. Try incorporating them into your own Japanese output, even if it feels awkward at first. Describe your food as <typo lang="ja" syntax="モチモチ[もちもち;h]"></typo> or say you're feeling <typo lang="ja" syntax="ワクワク[わくわく;h]"></typo> about something. Native speakers will be impressed, and using them actively helps cement them in your memory way better than passive recognition.

### Use mimetic words and onomatopoeia in Japanese with real Japanese content
The best way to internalize these words is through immersion with actual Japanese content. Reading manga, watching anime, or consuming Japanese social media exposes you to mimetic words in their natural context, which beats memorizing lists any day.

Anyway, if you want to actually learn these words through real content, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up mimetic words instantly while reading Japanese websites or watching videos. You can save them with context and review them later. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.

<img src="https://migaku-cms-assets.migaku.com/Screenshot_2026_03_04_104514_d39c960d60/Screenshot_2026_03_04_104514_d39c960d60.png" width="1920" height="1080" alt="watch videos with japanese dictionary by installing migaku extension and app" />

<prose-button href="/learn-japanese" text="Learn Japanese with Migaku"></prose-button>

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## FAQs
<accordion heading="Do mimetic words actually help your Japanese?">Absolutely. Learning mimetic words isn't just about sounding more native (though it definitely helps with that). These words carry nuances that are difficult to express otherwise in Japanese. When you understand them, your comprehension of natural Japanese improves dramatically. <br>In conversation, using appropriate mimetic words shows cultural fluency. Japanese speakers use them naturally to add color and precision to descriptions. The difference between saying <typo lang="ja" syntax="疲[つか;a] れた[つかれた;h]"></typo> (tsukareta, "I'm tired") and <typo lang="ja" syntax="クタクタに 疲[つか;a] れた[くたくたにつかれた;h]"></typo> (kuta kuta ni tsukareta, "I'm exhausted/worn out") is significant.</accordion>
<accordion heading="Have Japanese mimetic words changed over time?">The core system has remained stable, but new mimetic words do emerge, especially in youth slang and internet culture. Some mimetic words have shifted in usage or developed new meanings over the decades. Interestingly, the influence works both ways now. Some English onomatopoeia has been borrowed into Japanese and adapted to the mimetic word system. The globalization of manga and anime has also spread Japanese mimetic words into other languages, with fans worldwide recognizing words like <typo lang="ja" syntax="ドキドキ[どきどき;h]"></typo> even without formal Japanese study.</accordion>

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## Is learning Japanese sound effects a must?
Japanese onomatopoeic expressions are especially important for understanding manga and anime, where mimetic words appear constantly as sound effects and to convey atmosphere. Try reading a manga page without understanding the mimetic words, and you'll miss a lot of the emotional and sensory information the author intended. On the other hand, if you can understand a lot of mimetic words, that, in return, makes your experience of reading and watching much more enjoyable and relatable! 

> If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period_.

The things you learn with pleasure you never forget.