[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"blog-article-local-japanese-onomatopoeia":3,"$fHZsWYl_LcdVZ5GxKwtR-ZqvCZbbUdo2_Fi6R_GQKiQM":1218,"blog-article-cms-japanese-onomatopoeia":1220,"article-hreflang-japanese-onomatopoeia":2082,"blog-article-related-japanese-onomatopoeia":2851},{"id":4,"title":5,"body":6,"description":1198,"extension":1199,"meta":1200,"navigation":1211,"path":1212,"rawbody":1213,"seo":1214,"stem":1215,"__hash__":1216,"timestampUnix":1201,"slug":1202,"h1":1203,"image":1204,"tags":1209,"timestamp":1217,"locale":-1},"content\u002Farticle\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-onomatopoeia.md","Japanese Onomatopoeia: 10 Common Sounds You'll Find in Manga",{"type":7,"value":8,"toc":1176},"minimark",[9,19,27,48,51,54,57,60,65,72,75,78,81,84,89,93,99,165,168,248,251,276,298,300,304,307,321,324,329,335,344,350,357,362,402,406,412,421,428,432,472,476,482,489,492,496,532,536,542,559,568,572,612,616,622,629,632,641,645,674,678,684,693,708,712,746,750,756,762,770,774,813,817,823,832,839,843,879,883,889,900,903,907,942,946,952,966,989,992,996,1034,1036,1044,1047,1055,1058,1065,1068,1074,1085,1091,1097,1102,1105,1110,1113,1121,1127,1131,1138,1141,1149,1152,1159,1167],[10,11,12,13,18],"p",{},"To be honest, I'm not sure if I knew what an onomatopoeia was until I started to ",[14,15,17],"a",{"href":16},"\u002Flearn-japanese","learn Japanese",". (At least, I definitely couldn't have spelled it.)",[10,20,21,22,26],{},"Thing is, they're ",[23,24,25],"em",{},"everywhere"," in Japanese.",[10,28,29,30,35,36,39,40,43,44,47],{},"If you've ever read manga or watched anime and noticed words like ドキドキ (doki-doki) ",[31,32],"custom-audio",{"src":33,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-どきどき.mp3","3"," or キラキラ (kira-kira)　",[31,37],{"src":38,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-キラキラ.mp3"," flashing across the page or screen, you know what I'm talking about. ",[23,41,42],{},"These"," are onomatopoeia—or オノマトペ ",[31,45],{"src":46,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-オノマトペ.mp3",", as they're called in Japanese—and there are tons of them.",[10,49,50],{},"In this article, we'll explore 10 of the most common Japanese onomatopoeia—what they mean, how they’re used, and how they add depth and character to everyday language.",[10,52,53],{},"Let’s listen closely to the sounds of Japan:",[55,56],"toc",{},[58,59],"hr",{},[61,62,64],"h2",{"id":63},"what-are-onomatopoeia","What are onomatopoeia?",[66,67],"img",{"src":68,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":71},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-definition.jpeg",1374,1031,"A sound wave, as onomatopoeia are words that represent sounds",[10,73,74],{},"An onomatopoeia is a word which imitates or resembles the thing it describes. Onomatopoeia often represent sounds (e.g., thump, beep, quack) but can also represent actions (e.g., gulp, yawn, hiccup).",[10,76,77],{},"But!",[10,79,80],{},"... did you hear that?",[10,82,83],{},"That’s the sound of us only just scratching the surface of all the different ways onomatopoeia can be used 💪",[10,85,86],{},[23,87,88],{},"(Yes, I know that was terrible.)",[61,90,92],{"id":91},"the-five-types-of-japanese-onomatopoeia-words","The five types of Japanese onomatopoeia words",[10,94,95,96],{},"Japanese onomatopoeia can describe sounds, just as English onomatopoeia do. ",[23,97,98],{},"(Duh, otherwise they wouldn't be called onomatopoeia.)",[100,101,102,121],"table",{},[103,104,105],"thead",{},[106,107,108,112,115,118],"tr",{},[109,110,111],"th",{},"Onomatopoeia Type",[109,113,114],{},"Description",[109,116,117],{},"Example Word",[109,119,120],{},"Definition",[122,123,124,145],"tbody",{},[106,125,126,133,136,142],{},[127,128,129,130],"td",{},"擬声語 (giseigo) ",[31,131],{"src":132,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬声語.mp3",[127,134,135],{},"Words that reflect animal and human sounds",[127,137,138,139],{},"うふふ ",[31,140],{"src":141,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うふふ.mp3",[127,143,144],{},"A low (suppressed) sort of laughter that you can't quite contain",[106,146,147,153,156,162],{},[127,148,149,150],{},"擬音語 (giongo) ",[31,151],{"src":152,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬音語.mp3",[127,154,155],{},"Words that mimic a sound, often one from nature",[127,157,158,159],{},"ぱたぱた ",[31,160],{"src":161,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ぱたぱた.mp3",[127,163,164],{},"The sound of something flapping",[10,166,167],{},"But they can also do much more than that:",[100,169,170,182],{},[103,171,172],{},[106,173,174,176,178,180],{},[109,175,111],{},[109,177,114],{},[109,179,117],{},[109,181,120],{},[122,183,184,204,224],{},[106,185,186,192,195,201],{},[127,187,188,189],{},"擬態語 (gitaigo) ",[31,190],{"src":191,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬態語.mp3",[127,193,194],{},"Words that mimic the condition or state of an inanimate object",[127,196,197,198],{},"つるつる ",[31,199],{"src":200,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-つるつる.mp3",[127,202,203],{},"Describes a slippery surface, like an icy road",[106,205,206,212,215,221],{},[127,207,208,209],{},"擬容語 (giyougo) ",[31,210],{"src":211,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬容語.mp3",[127,213,214],{},"Words that describe the state, behavior, or appearance of a living thing",[127,216,217,218],{},"のろのろ ",[31,219],{"src":220,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-のろのろ.mp3",[127,222,223],{},"Describes something that is moving or progressing slowly",[106,225,226,232,235,241],{},[127,227,228,229],{},"擬情語 (gijougo) ",[31,230],{"src":231,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬情語.mp3",[127,233,234],{},"Words that reflect an emotion or psychological state",[127,236,237,238],{},"わくわく ",[31,239],{"src":240,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-わくわく.mp3",[127,242,243,244,247],{},"Describes the restless feeling of excitement when ",[245,246],"br",{},"you're looking forward to something",[10,249,250],{},"You don't need to remember these technical words (and it can even be sort of blurry business to determine a particular onomatopoeia's category, as many have multiple usages). Just know that you'll see Japanese onomatopoeia used to describe things you wouldn't use onomatopoeia to describe in English. You'll also see onomatopoeia used in places you might not expect as a native English speaker, such as \"normal\" conversations between adults:",[252,253,254],"ul",{},[255,256,257,258,262,263,266,267,266,269],"li",{},"ああ。見ているだけで",[259,260,261],"strong",{},"イライラしてきた","。 ",[31,264],{"src":265,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ああ。見ているだけでイライラしてきた。.mp3"," ",[245,268],{},[23,270,271,272,275],{},"Ugh. Just seeing that made me ",[259,273,274],{},"annoyed",".",[277,278,279,284,286],"blockquote",{},[280,281,283],"centered-text",{"bold":282,"underline":282},"","\nQuick tip\n",[245,285],{},[280,287,288,289,293,294,297],{},"\nA duplicated sound (ぱた\n",[290,291,292],"u",{},"\nぱた\n","\n, わく\n",[290,295,296],{},"\nわく\n","\n) is a tell-tale sign of a Japanese onomatopoeia. You'll also see some onomatopoeia that end in り、ん、a long vowel, or っと. \n",[58,299],{},[61,301,303],{"id":302},"_10-common-japanese-onomatopoeia-youll-find-in-manga","10 common Japanese onomatopoeia you'll find in manga",[10,305,306],{},"Whether it’s the beating of a nervous heart, the muttering of a socially awkward otaku, or the unexplained sparkle that seems to follow the popular girl around school—there's an onomatopoeia for that.",[10,308,309,310,313,314,320],{},"In fact, there are ",[23,311,312],{},"tons"," of onomatopoeia in Japanese. ",[14,315,319],{"href":316,"rel":317},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.co.jp\u002F%E6%93%AC%E9%9F%B3%E8%AA%9E%E3%83%BB%E6%93%AC%E6%85%8B%E8%AA%9E4500-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E3%82%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%9E%E3%83%88%E3%83%9A%E8%BE%9E%E5%85%B8-%E5%B0%8F%E9%87%8E-%E6%AD%A3%E5%BC%98\u002Fdp\u002F4095041749",[318],"nofollow","This Japanese onomatopoeia dictionary"," alone has 4,500 entries. (Of course, the majority of them are not regularly used, and wouldn't be known by your typical Japanese person.)",[10,322,323],{},"So, to get you started, here are 10 super common onomatopoeia that, so long as you're somehow interacting with Japanese media, you'll inevitably bump your shin into.",[325,326,328],"h3",{"id":327},"_1-ドキドキ-doki-doki-the-sound-of-a-heart-beating-fast","1. ドキドキ (doki-doki): The sound of a heart beating fast",[66,330],{"src":331,"width":332,"height":333,"alt":334},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-dokidoki.jpeg",1766,540,"A screenshot of a few manga panels that feature the onomatopoeia ドキドキ",[280,336,337,340,342],{},[23,338,339],{},"Notice how ドキドキ has been shortened to ドキッ. You'll see this sometimes.",[245,341],{},[245,343],{},[10,345,346,347,349],{},"ドキドキ (doki-doki) ",[31,348],{"src":33,":type":34}," is a gitaigo that expresses the sound or feeling of a rapidly beating heart—ba-dump, ba-dump—often from excitement, nervousness, or anticipation. (Or even just intense exercise.)",[10,351,352,353,356],{},"In this panel of ",[23,354,355],{},"Witch Watch",", Nico’s heart starts pounding with excitement after reuniting with her childhood friend, Morihito.",[10,358,359],{},[259,360,361],{},"Example sentences:",[252,363,364,385],{},[255,365,366,367,370,371,266,374,266,376],{},"テストの前はいつも",[259,368,369],{},"ドキドキ","する。",[31,372],{"src":373,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-テストの前はいつもドキドキする。.mp3",[245,375],{},[23,377,378,379,266,382,275],{},"Before a test, ",[259,380,381],{},"my",[259,383,384],{},"heart always races",[255,386,387,388,370,391,266,394,266,396],{},"走ったあとは、心臓が",[259,389,390],{},"どきどき",[31,392],{"src":393,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-走ったあとは、心臓がどきどきする。.mp3",[245,395],{},[23,397,398,399],{},"After running, ",[259,400,401],{},"my heart beats fast.",[325,403,405],{"id":404},"_2-ザー-zaa-the-sound-of-pouring-rain","2. ザー (zaa): The sound of pouring rain",[66,407],{"src":408,"width":409,"height":410,"alt":411},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-zaa.jpeg",972,619,"An excerpt from a Manga panel showing heavily falling rain",[280,413,414,417,419],{},[23,415,416],{},"Notice how the vowel of this onomatopoeia gets dragged out for effect: not ザー, but ザァァァァァァ",[245,418],{},[245,420],{},[10,422,423,424,427],{},"ザーザー (zaa-zaa) ",[31,425],{"src":426,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ざーざー.mp3"," is a giongo that describes the sound of heavy falling rain. You may also see it used to describe forcefully flowing water in general.",[10,429,430],{},[259,431,361],{},[252,433,434,453],{},[255,435,436,437,440,441,266,444,266,446],{},"外は",[259,438,439],{},"ザーザー","雨が降っている。 ",[31,442],{"src":443,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-外はザーザー雨が降っている。.mp3",[245,445],{},[23,447,448,449,452],{},"It’s ",[259,450,451],{},"pouring rain"," outside.",[255,454,455,456,459,460,266,463,266,465],{},"うわっ、ここ、泥がすごいじゃないか。水を",[259,457,458],{},"ざあざあ流して","洗うしかないな。",[31,461],{"src":462,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うわっ、ここ、泥がすごいじゃないか。水をざあざあ流して洗うしかないな。.mp3",[245,464],{},[23,466,467,468,471],{},"Wow! There's a lot of mud here. Guess I've got no choice but to ",[259,469,470],{},"spray it with water"," and wash it off.",[325,473,475],{"id":474},"_3-カタカタ-kata-kata-the-sound-of-clattering-or-rattling","3. カタカタ (kata-kata): The sound of clattering or rattling",[66,477],{"src":478,"width":479,"height":480,"alt":481},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gatagata.jpeg",682,476,"A screenshot of a manga panel with the onomatopoeia katakata, depicting the sound of a keyboard",[10,483,484,485,488],{},"カタカタ (kata-kata) ",[31,486],{"src":487,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-カタカタ.mp3"," is a giongo that mimics the clattering or rattling of something—the sound made when two hard objects come lightly and repeatedly in contact with one another.",[10,490,491],{},"It's often used to describe the sound of things moving around, like keys rustling in a bag or a machine running. Perhaps most commonly, though, you'll see it used to represent the sound of typing on a keyboard. (Or, in this case, the buttons on a cash register.)",[10,493,494],{},[259,495,361],{},[252,497,498,516],{},[255,499,500,503,504,266,507,266,509],{},[259,501,502],{},"カタカタとキーボード","を叩く音が部屋に響く。",[31,505],{"src":506,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-カタカタとキーボードを叩く音が部屋に響く。.mp3",[245,508],{},[23,510,511,512,515],{},"The ",[259,513,514],{},"sound of a keyboard"," echoed through the room.",[255,517,518,519,266,522,266,525,527,528,531],{},"雨戸が風で",[259,520,521],{},"カタカタ鳴っている。",[31,523],{"src":524,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-雨戸が風でカタカタ鳴っている。.mp3",[245,526],{}," The (window) shutters are ",[259,529,530],{},"rattling"," in the wind.",[325,533,535],{"id":534},"_4-キャア-kyaa-the-sound-of-a-scream-or-squeal","4. キャア (kyaa): The sound of a scream or squeal",[66,537],{"src":538,"width":539,"height":540,"alt":541},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-kyaa.jpeg",1200,976,"A manga panel featuring the onomatopoeia kyaa, the sound of a woman screaming",[10,543,544,545,548,549,554,555,558],{},"キャア (kyaa) ",[31,546],{"src":547,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-キャア.mp3"," is a giseigo that mimics that high-pitched scream that people let out when they're surprised, scared, or extremely excited. Notably, this is an example of ",[14,550,553],{"href":551,"rel":552},"http:\u002F\u002Fja.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002F%E5%A5%B3%E6%80%A7%E8%AA%9E#%E3%81%8B%E8%A1%8C",[318],"女性語 (joseigo, women's speech)","; when men scream, they would be described as having said うわ！ (uwa!) ",[31,556],{"src":557,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うわー.mp3"," instead (which is apparently somehow more masculine.)",[10,560,561,562,567],{},"If you get into the work of ",[14,563,566],{"href":564,"rel":565},"https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJunji_Ito",[318],"Junji Ito",", you'll learn this one by heart.",[10,569,570],{},[259,571,361],{},[252,573,574,593],{},[255,575,576,577,580,581,266,584,266,586],{},"ゴキブリを見て、彼女は「",[259,578,579],{},"キャア！","」と叫んだ。",[31,582],{"src":583,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ゴキブリを見て、彼女は「キャア！」と叫んだ。.mp3",[245,585],{},[23,587,588,589,592],{},"She ",[259,590,591],{},"screamed"," when she saw a cockroach.",[255,594,595,596,599,600,266,603,266,605],{},"有名歌手を見つけた少女たちは",[259,597,598],{},"きゃあきゃあ騒いだ","。",[31,601],{"src":602,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-有名歌手を見つけた少女たちはきゃあきゃあ騒いだ。.mp3",[245,604],{},[23,606,607,608,611],{},"The girls ",[259,609,610],{},"shrieked with excitement\u002Fwent wild"," when they saw the famous singer.",[325,613,615],{"id":614},"_5-ゴロゴロ-goro-goro-rolling-large-rock-or-thunder","5. ゴロゴロ (goro-goro): Rolling (large rock or thunder)",[66,617],{"src":618,"width":619,"height":620,"alt":621},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gorogoro.jpeg",1011,677,"A panel from a manga featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia gorogoro",[10,623,624,625,628],{},"ゴロゴロ (goro-goro) ",[31,626],{"src":627,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ゴロゴロ.mp3"," is a Japanese onomatopoeia that's got slightly more to it than meets the eye. It's technically a giongo which mimics the sound of something heavy rumbling around, like a boulder coming down a hill or thunder roaring in the distance.",[10,630,631],{},"Often, though, you'll also see it used as a giyougo to describe someone \"rolling around on the floor\", either in a state of frustration or lazy relaxation. Apparently, it can also be used as a gijougo that describes the state in which you've got something in your eye (sand, a bug, etc.) that causes your eye to feel uncomfortable\u002Frough as it moves around.",[10,633,634,635,640],{},"In fact, ",[14,636,639],{"href":637,"rel":638},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww2.ninjal.ac.jp\u002FOnomatope\u002Fcolumn\u002Fnihongo_1.html",[318],"the Ninjal corpus"," (link in Japanese) describes it as a rare example of a word that can act as all 5 types of onomatopoeia.",[10,642,643],{},[259,644,361],{},[252,646,647,665],{},[255,648,649,650,653,654,266,657,266,659],{},"大きな岩が",[259,651,652],{},"ゴロゴロ","転がっている。",[31,655],{"src":656,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-大きな岩が__ゴロゴロ__転がっている。.mp3",[245,658],{},[23,660,661,662,275],{},"The large rock ",[259,663,664],{},"rolled around, making a rumbling sound.",[255,666,667,668,266,671,673],{},"日曜日に家でごろごろしている。",[31,669],{"src":670,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-日曜日に家でごろごろしている。.mp3",[245,672],{}," I'm lounging around the house on Sunday.",[325,675,677],{"id":676},"_6-ガシャン-gashan-the-sound-of-a-smash-clash-whomp-or-pow","6. ガシャン (gashan) – The sound of a smash, clash, whomp, or pow",[66,679],{"src":680,"width":681,"height":682,"alt":683},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gashan.jpeg",1476,578,"An excerpt from a manga showing the Japanese onomatopoeia gashan, the sound of something shattering",[280,685,686,689,691],{},[23,687,688],{},"Note how ガシャン itself appears in the photo, but と is appended to it in the example sentences. This emphasizes that the sound is very brief, rather than being continuous.",[245,690],{},[245,692],{},[10,694,695,696,699,700,703,704,707],{},"ガシャン (gashan) ",[31,697],{"src":698,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ガシャン.mp3"," is a quite dramatic giongo that mimics the sound of something crashing or shattering, like glass breaking. You'll also see it used to describe the sound of a heavy blow ",[23,701,702],{},"(whack, wham)"," and—as shown in ",[23,705,706],{},"Sakamoto Days"," above—for the crash of a gun’s chamber being reloaded or disassembled.",[10,709,710],{},[259,711,361],{},[252,713,714,732],{},[255,715,716,717,720,721,266,724,266,726],{},"コップが床に落ちて",[259,718,719],{},"ガシャンと","割れた。",[31,722],{"src":723,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-コップが床に落ちてガシャンと割れた。.mp3",[245,725],{},[23,727,728,729,275],{},"The glass fell to the floor and ",[259,730,731],{},"shattered with a crash",[255,733,734,736,737,266,740,742,743],{},[259,735,719],{},"受話器を置く。",[31,738],{"src":739,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ガシャンと受話器を置く。.mp3",[245,741],{}," (He) slammed the (telephone) receiver down ",[259,744,745],{},"with a bang.",[325,747,749],{"id":748},"_7-キラキラ-kira-kira-the-sound-of-something-sparkling","7. キラキラ (kira-kira): The sound (?) of something sparkling",[66,751],{"src":752,"width":753,"height":754,"alt":755},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-kirakira.png",868,286,"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia kirakira, depicting the twinkling of a character's eyes",[10,757,758,759,761],{},"キラキラ (kira-kira) ",[31,760],{"src":38,":type":34}," is a lovely gitaigo that describes something glittering or shining, like stars or jewelry.",[277,763,764],{},[10,765,766,767],{},"...Or, perhaps, the way his eyes ✨✨twinkle✨✨ when the cutest boy at school looks at you… ",[23,768,769],{},"Kyaaa ～！",[10,771,772],{},[259,773,361],{},[252,775,776,795],{},[255,777,778,779,782,783,266,786,266,788],{},"夜空に",[259,780,781],{},"キラキラ","星が光っている。",[31,784],{"src":785,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-夜空にキラキラ星が光っている。.mp3",[245,787],{},[23,789,790,791,794],{},"Stars are ",[259,792,793],{},"sparkling"," in the night sky.",[255,796,797,798,599,801,266,804,266,806],{},"彼女の目は喜びで",[259,799,800],{},"キラキラしている",[31,802],{"src":803,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-彼女の目は喜びでキラキラしている。.mp3",[245,805],{},[23,807,808,809,812],{},"Her eyes ",[259,810,811],{},"sparkled"," with joy.",[325,814,816],{"id":815},"_8-じーっ-jii-the-sound-of-someone-intently-staring-at-something","8. じーっ (jii) – The sound (?) of someone intently staring at something",[66,818],{"src":819,"width":820,"height":821,"alt":822},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-jiii.jpeg",1230,592,"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia Jiii, the sound of someone staring intently.",[280,824,825,828,830],{},[23,826,827],{},"The original word is じっと, but extending the い sound gives the nuance that the stare lasts longer",[245,829],{},[245,831],{},[10,833,834,835,838],{},"じっと (jitto) ",[31,836],{"src":837,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-じっと.mp3"," is a gitaigo that describes a silent, intense gaze—someone watching something closely without blinking. You'll also see it used for someone entirely dissociating and staring into space, remaining quiet\u002Fmotionless, or stoically enduring a hardship.",[10,840,841],{},[259,842,361],{},[252,844,845,863],{},[255,846,847,848,851,852,266,855,266,857],{},"猫が",[259,849,850],{},"じーっ","と私を見ている。",[31,853],{"src":854,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-猫がじーっと私を見ている.mp3",[245,856],{},[23,858,859,860,275],{},"The cat is ",[259,861,862],{},"staring at me intently",[255,864,865,866,599,869,266,872,874,875,878],{},"じゃ、注射しますよ。すぐ終わるから、",[259,867,868],{},"じっとしててね",[31,870],{"src":871,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-じゃ、注射しますよ。すぐ終わるから、じっとしててね。.mp3",[245,873],{}," Alright, I'm going to give you the shot now. It'll be over quickly, so ",[259,876,877],{},"stay still",", okay?",[325,880,882],{"id":881},"_9-ピピピピピ-pipipipipi-the-sound-of-something-beeping","9. ピピピピピ (pipipipipi): The sound of something beeping",[66,884],{"src":885,"width":886,"height":887,"alt":888},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-bibibi.jpeg",1716,778,"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia pipipipipi, used to depict the sound of an alarm clock ringing",[10,890,891,892,895,896,899],{},"ピーピー (piipii) ",[31,893],{"src":894,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ピーピー.mp3"," was originally a giseigo that mimicked the sound of birds chirping, but with time, eventually came to ",[23,897,898],{},"also"," be used as a giongo mimicking things like the repetitive beep of a digital alarm, microwave, or timer.",[10,901,902],{},"You'll also see this used to describe the sound of someone whistling or whining.",[10,904,905],{},[259,906,361],{},[252,908,909,927],{},[255,910,911,912,915,916,266,919,266,921],{},"目覚まし時計が",[259,913,914],{},"ピピピピピ","と鳴った。",[31,917],{"src":918,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-目覚まし時計がピピピピピと鳴った。.mp3",[245,920],{},[23,922,923,924,275],{},"The alarm clock went off with a ",[259,925,926],{},"beep-beep-beep",[255,928,929,930,599,933,266,936,938,939,275],{},"小鳥が",[259,931,932],{},"ぴーぴー鳴いている",[31,934],{"src":935,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-小鳥がぴーぴー鳴いている。.mp3",[245,937],{}," Birds are ",[259,940,941],{},"chirping",[325,943,945],{"id":944},"_10-ドーン-doon-japans-version-of-boom","10. ドーン (doon): Japan's version of \"Boom!\"",[66,947],{"src":948,"width":949,"height":950,"alt":951},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-doon.jpeg",1190,776,"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia doon, which mimics a crash or loud sound",[280,953,954,962,964],{},[23,955,956,957,275],{},"This is from the manga _Sakamoto Days, which you can read the first several chapters of for free on ",[14,958,961],{"href":959,"rel":960},"https:\u002F\u002Fwww.shonenjump.com\u002Fj\u002Frensai\u002Fsakamoto.html",[318],"Shonen Jump",[245,963],{},[245,965],{},[10,967,968,969,972,973,976,977,980,981,984,985,988],{},"ドーン (doon) ",[31,970],{"src":971,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ドーン.mp3"," is an all-purpose giongo that can be used to describe pretty much any sort of explosion or loud impact: the explosion of fireworks, the roar of thunder, the ",[23,974,975],{},"voom"," of a rocket flying through the air, the ",[23,978,979],{},"whomp"," of a heavy hit, the ",[23,982,983],{},"dong"," released upon striking a heavy bell, the ",[23,986,987],{},"thud"," of something heavy hitting the floor.",[10,990,991],{},"It can also be used for generally dramatic bits of action—say, like an ex-hitman appearing behind you with a box cutter. Yikes.",[10,993,994],{},[259,995,361],{},[252,997,998,1016],{},[255,999,1000,1001,1004,1005,266,1008,266,1010],{},"花火が",[259,1002,1003],{},"ドーンと","夜空に咲いた。",[31,1006],{"src":1007,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-花火がドーンと夜空に咲いた。.mp3",[245,1009],{},[23,1011,1012,1013],{},"A firework exploded in the sky ",[259,1014,1015],{},"with a loud boom.",[255,1017,1018,1019,1022,1023,266,1026,266,1028],{},"重い扉は",[259,1020,1021],{},"どーんと","叩きやぶられた。 ",[31,1024],{"src":1025,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-重い扉はどーんと叩きやぶられた。.mp3",[245,1027],{},[23,1029,1030,1031],{},"The heavy door was smashed open ",[259,1032,1033],{},"with a loud bang.",[58,1035],{},[61,1037,1039,1040,1043],{"id":1038},"オノマトペ-are-things-you-feel-so-learn-them-with-manga","オノマトペ are things you ",[23,1041,1042],{},"feel","... so learn them with manga!",[10,1045,1046],{},"Okay, so now you know a few of the most common Japanese onomatopoeia you’re going to see popping up in manga and anime—where do you go from here?",[277,1048,1049],{},[10,1050,1051,1052],{},"Well, if we might be so bold: ",[23,1053,1054],{},"Start reading manga and watching anime.",[10,1056,1057],{},"Seriously. You'll see this stuff all the time. As you see more onomatopoeia alongside more images, you'll eventually develop a feel for what nuance a particular onomatopoeia adds to a scene.",[10,1059,1060,1061,1064],{},"For example—say you took us up on that free preview of ",[14,1062,706],{"href":959,"rel":1063},[318]," up above, and ended up binging like four chapters.",[10,1066,1067],{},"You'd see this:",[66,1069],{"src":1070,"width":1071,"height":1072,"alt":1073},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug1.jpeg",1524,1202,"An excerpt from the manga Sakamoto Days, which features a ton of onomatopoeia",[10,1075,1076,1077,1080,1081,1084],{},"There's a lot ",[23,1078,1079],{},"(a lot)"," of onomatopoeia in this manga, but that mid-right panel in particular has a wonderfully educational image: グイと ",[23,1082,1083],{},"(グイッと to further emphasize the suddenness of the action)"," describes the motion that occurs when something is pushed or pulled with a strong, sudden force.",[10,1086,1087,1088,1090],{},"Onomatopoeia are really something that you should ",[23,1089,1042],{},", though... so, rather than adding a verbal definition, you can just pop that manga panel right into a flashcard:",[66,1092],{"src":1093,"width":1094,"height":1095,"alt":1096},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug2.jpeg",1896,1204,"A screenshot of Migaku's card creator, ",[10,1098,1099],{},[23,1100,1101],{},"(Migaku can also automatically generate explanations and example sentences for you, and you can manually add definitions from dictionaries, just in case you want a bit of context.)",[10,1103,1104],{},"After about three seconds of work, you'll have yourself a handy little flashcard that looks like this:",[66,1106],{"src":1107,"width":1108,"height":1095,"alt":1109},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug3.jpeg",1448,"A screenshot of a flashcard created by Migaku showing the definition of the onomatopoeia ぐいと",[10,1111,1112],{},"We'll periodically nudge you to review that flashcard over time, ensuring that you eventually commit it to memory.",[10,1114,1115,1116,1120],{},"Here's an entire blog post on ",[14,1117,1119],{"href":1118},"\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Flearn-japanese-with-manga","how to learn Japanese with manga","... but, otherwise:",[61,1122,1123],{"id":282},[1124,1125],"prose-button",{"href":16,"text":1126},"Learn Japanese with Migaku",[61,1128,1130],{"id":1129},"by-the-way-forget-these-japanese-onomatopoeia-lists-if-you-want-to-learn-japanese","By the way: Forget these \"Japanese onomatopoeia lists\" if you want to learn Japanese",[10,1132,1133,1134,275],{},"So, we've got an entire post on ",[14,1135,1137],{"href":1136},"\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fhow-to-learn-japanese-vocabulary","how to learn Japanese vocabulary",[10,1139,1140],{},"The most important takeaway from that blog post is this:",[252,1142,1143,1146],{},[255,1144,1145],{},"When you learn a vocabulary word via a list, textbook, or flashcard, it's like you get an empty cup",[255,1147,1148],{},"When you see those words used in real Japanese media, you fill the cup with water",[10,1150,1151],{},"So, while you're getting started, go ahead and use lists like this! They're a nice way to condense a bunch of information into something more easily digestible.",[10,1153,1154,1155,1158],{},"... but if you ",[23,1156,1157],{},"really"," want to learn Japanese, remember The Golden Rule of Language Learning™:",[277,1160,1161],{},[10,1162,1163,1164,275],{},"If you spend time consuming Japanese media, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. ",[23,1165,1166],{},"Period",[10,1168,1169,266,1173],{},[14,1170,1172],{"href":1171},"\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fganbatte-meaning","Ganbatte ne",[31,1174],{"src":1175,":type":34},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-がんばってね.mp3",{"title":282,"searchDepth":1177,"depth":1177,"links":1178},2,[1179,1180,1181,1194,1196,1197],{"id":63,"depth":1177,"text":64},{"id":91,"depth":1177,"text":92},{"id":302,"depth":1177,"text":303,"children":1182},[1183,1185,1186,1187,1188,1189,1190,1191,1192,1193],{"id":327,"depth":1184,"text":328},3,{"id":404,"depth":1184,"text":405},{"id":474,"depth":1184,"text":475},{"id":534,"depth":1184,"text":535},{"id":614,"depth":1184,"text":615},{"id":676,"depth":1184,"text":677},{"id":748,"depth":1184,"text":749},{"id":815,"depth":1184,"text":816},{"id":881,"depth":1184,"text":882},{"id":944,"depth":1184,"text":945},{"id":1038,"depth":1177,"text":1195},"オノマトペ are things you feel... so learn them with manga!",{"id":282,"depth":1177,"text":282},{"id":1129,"depth":1177,"text":1130},"An onomatopoeia is a word that represents a sound (and more!). We share 10 Japanese onomatopoeia words that you'll hear in manga, everyday conversations, and basically everywhere.","md",{"timestampUnix":1201,"slug":1202,"h1":1203,"image":1204,"tags":1209},1749120687254,"japanese-onomatopoeia","Common Japanese onomatopoeia words and how to use them",{"src":1205,"width":1206,"height":1207,"alt":1208},"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-thumbnail.jpeg",1920,1440,"A screenshot of a book of manga—a place where you're likely to find a bunch of Japanese onomatopoeia being used!",[1210],"listicle",true,"\u002Farticle\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-onomatopoeia","---\ntitle: \"Japanese Onomatopoeia: 10 Common Sounds You'll Find in Manga\"\ndescription: \"An onomatopoeia is a word that represents a sound (and more!). We share 10 Japanese onomatopoeia words that you'll hear in manga, everyday conversations, and basically everywhere.\"\ntimestampUnix: 1749120687254\nslug: 'japanese-onomatopoeia'\nh1: 'Common Japanese onomatopoeia words and how to use them'\nimage:\n  src: '\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-thumbnail.jpeg'\n  width: 1920\n  height: 1440\n  alt: \"A screenshot of a book of manga—a place where you're likely to find a bunch of Japanese onomatopoeia being used!\"\ntags:\n  - listicle\n---\n\nTo be honest, I'm not sure if I knew what an onomatopoeia was until I started to [learn Japanese](\u002Flearn-japanese). (At least, I definitely couldn't have spelled it.)\n\nThing is, they're _everywhere_ in Japanese.\n\nIf you've ever read manga or watched anime and noticed words like ドキドキ (doki-doki) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-どきどき.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> or キラキラ (kira-kira)　\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-キラキラ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> flashing across the page or screen, you know what I'm talking about. _These_ are onomatopoeia—or オノマトペ \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-オノマトペ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>, as they're called in Japanese—and there are tons of them.\n\nIn this article, we'll explore 10 of the most common Japanese onomatopoeia—what they mean, how they’re used, and how they add depth and character to everyday language.\n\nLet’s listen closely to the sounds of Japan:\n\n\u003Ctoc>\u003C\u002Ftoc>\n\n---\n\n## What are onomatopoeia?\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-definition.jpeg\" width=\"1374\" height=\"1031\" alt=\"A sound wave, as onomatopoeia are words that represent sounds\" \u002F>\n\nAn onomatopoeia is a word which imitates or resembles the thing it describes. Onomatopoeia often represent sounds (e.g., thump, beep, quack) but can also represent actions (e.g., gulp, yawn, hiccup).\n\nBut!\n\n... did you hear that?\n\nThat’s the sound of us only just scratching the surface of all the different ways onomatopoeia can be used 💪\n\n_(Yes, I know that was terrible.)_\n\n## The five types of Japanese onomatopoeia words\n\nJapanese onomatopoeia can describe sounds, just as English onomatopoeia do. _(Duh, otherwise they wouldn't be called onomatopoeia.)_\n\n| Onomatopoeia Type                                                                         | Description                                     | Example Word                                                                        | Definition                                                       |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ---------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 擬声語 (giseigo) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬声語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Words that reflect animal and human sounds      | うふふ \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うふふ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>     | A low (suppressed) sort of laughter that you can't quite contain |\n| 擬音語 (giongo) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬音語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>  | Words that mimic a sound, often one from nature | ぱたぱた \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ぱたぱた.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | The sound of something flapping                                  |\n\nBut they can also do much more than that:\n\n| Onomatopoeia Type                                                                         | Description                                                              | Example Word                                                                        | Definition                                                                                |\n| ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------------------ | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |\n| 擬態語 (gitaigo) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬態語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Words that mimic the condition or state of an inanimate object           | つるつる \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-つるつる.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Describes a slippery surface, like an icy road                                            |\n| 擬容語 (giyougo) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬容語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Words that describe the state, behavior, or appearance of a living thing | のろのろ \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-のろのろ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Describes something that is moving or progressing slowly                                  |\n| 擬情語 (gijougo) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-擬情語.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Words that reflect an emotion or psychological state                     | わくわく \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-わくわく.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> | Describes the restless feeling of excitement when \u003Cbr>you're looking forward to something |\n\nYou don't need to remember these technical words (and it can even be sort of blurry business to determine a particular onomatopoeia's category, as many have multiple usages). Just know that you'll see Japanese onomatopoeia used to describe things you wouldn't use onomatopoeia to describe in English. You'll also see onomatopoeia used in places you might not expect as a native English speaker, such as \"normal\" conversations between adults:\n\n- ああ。見ているだけで**イライラしてきた**。 \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ああ。見ているだけでイライラしてきた。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _Ugh. Just seeing that made me **annoyed**._\n\n> \u003CCenteredText bold underline>Quick tip\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\u003Cbr>\u003CCenteredText>A duplicated sound (ぱた\u003Cu>ぱた\u003C\u002Fu>, わく\u003Cu>わく\u003C\u002Fu>) is a tell-tale sign of a Japanese onomatopoeia. You'll also see some onomatopoeia that end in り、ん、a long vowel, or っと. \u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\n---\n\n## 10 common Japanese onomatopoeia you'll find in manga\n\nWhether it’s the beating of a nervous heart, the muttering of a socially awkward otaku, or the unexplained sparkle that seems to follow the popular girl around school—there's an onomatopoeia for that.\n\nIn fact, there are _tons_ of onomatopoeia in Japanese. [This Japanese onomatopoeia dictionary](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.amazon.co.jp\u002F%E6%93%AC%E9%9F%B3%E8%AA%9E%E3%83%BB%E6%93%AC%E6%85%8B%E8%AA%9E4500-%E6%97%A5%E6%9C%AC%E8%AA%9E%E3%82%AA%E3%83%8E%E3%83%9E%E3%83%88%E3%83%9A%E8%BE%9E%E5%85%B8-%E5%B0%8F%E9%87%8E-%E6%AD%A3%E5%BC%98\u002Fdp\u002F4095041749) alone has 4,500 entries. (Of course, the majority of them are not regularly used, and wouldn't be known by your typical Japanese person.)\n\nSo, to get you started, here are 10 super common onomatopoeia that, so long as you're somehow interacting with Japanese media, you'll inevitably bump your shin into.\n\n### 1. ドキドキ (doki-doki): The sound of a heart beating fast\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-dokidoki.jpeg\" width=\"1766\" height=\"540\" alt=\"A screenshot of a few manga panels that feature the onomatopoeia ドキドキ\" \u002F>\n\n\u003CCenteredText>_Notice how ドキドキ has been shortened to ドキッ. You'll see this sometimes._\u003CBR>\u003CBR>\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\nドキドキ (doki-doki) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-どきどき.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a gitaigo that expresses the sound or feeling of a rapidly beating heart—ba-dump, ba-dump—often from excitement, nervousness, or anticipation. (Or even just intense exercise.)\n\nIn this panel of _Witch Watch_, Nico’s heart starts pounding with excitement after reuniting with her childhood friend, Morihito.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- テストの前はいつも**ドキドキ**する。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-テストの前はいつもドキドキする。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _Before a test, **my** **heart always races**._\n- 走ったあとは、心臓が**どきどき**する。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-走ったあとは、心臓がどきどきする。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _After running, **my heart beats fast.**_\n\n### 2. ザー (zaa): The sound of pouring rain\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-zaa.jpeg\" width=\"972\" height=\"619\" alt=\"An excerpt from a Manga panel showing heavily falling rain\" \u002F>\n\n\u003CCenteredText>_Notice how the vowel of this onomatopoeia gets dragged out for effect: not ザー, but ザァァァァァァ_\u003CBR>\u003CBR>\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\nザーザー (zaa-zaa) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ざーざー.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a giongo that describes the sound of heavy falling rain. You may also see it used to describe forcefully flowing water in general.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 外は**ザーザー**雨が降っている。 \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-外はザーザー雨が降っている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _It’s **pouring rain** outside._\n- うわっ、ここ、泥がすごいじゃないか。水を**ざあざあ流して**洗うしかないな。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うわっ、ここ、泥がすごいじゃないか。水をざあざあ流して洗うしかないな。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _Wow! There's a lot of mud here. Guess I've got no choice but to **spray it with water** and wash it off._\n\n### 3. カタカタ (kata-kata): The sound of clattering or rattling\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gatagata.jpeg\" width=\"682\" height=\"476\" alt=\"A screenshot of a manga panel with the onomatopoeia katakata, depicting the sound of a keyboard\" \u002F>\n\nカタカタ (kata-kata) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-カタカタ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a giongo that mimics the clattering or rattling of something—the sound made when two hard objects come lightly and repeatedly in contact with one another.\n\nIt's often used to describe the sound of things moving around, like keys rustling in a bag or a machine running. Perhaps most commonly, though, you'll see it used to represent the sound of typing on a keyboard. (Or, in this case, the buttons on a cash register.)\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- **カタカタとキーボード**を叩く音が部屋に響く。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-カタカタとキーボードを叩く音が部屋に響く。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The **sound of a keyboard** echoed through the room._\n- 雨戸が風で**カタカタ鳴っている。** \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-雨戸が風でカタカタ鳴っている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> The (window) shutters are **rattling** in the wind.\n\n### 4. キャア (kyaa): The sound of a scream or squeal\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-kyaa.jpeg\" width=\"1200\" height=\"976\" alt=\"A manga panel featuring the onomatopoeia kyaa, the sound of a woman screaming\" \u002F>\n\nキャア (kyaa) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-キャア.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a giseigo that mimics that high-pitched scream that people let out when they're surprised, scared, or extremely excited. Notably, this is an example of [女性語 (joseigo, women's speech)](http:\u002F\u002Fja.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002F%E5%A5%B3%E6%80%A7%E8%AA%9E#%E3%81%8B%E8%A1%8C); when men scream, they would be described as having said うわ！ (uwa!) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-うわー.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> instead (which is apparently somehow more masculine.)\n\nIf you get into the work of [Junji Ito](https:\u002F\u002Fen.wikipedia.org\u002Fwiki\u002FJunji_Ito), you'll learn this one by heart.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- ゴキブリを見て、彼女は「**キャア！**」と叫んだ。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ゴキブリを見て、彼女は「キャア！」と叫んだ。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _She **screamed** when she saw a cockroach._\n- 有名歌手を見つけた少女たちは**きゃあきゃあ騒いだ**。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-有名歌手を見つけた少女たちはきゃあきゃあ騒いだ。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The girls **shrieked with excitement\u002Fwent wild** when they saw the famous singer._\n\n### 5. ゴロゴロ (goro-goro): Rolling (large rock or thunder)\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gorogoro.jpeg\" width=\"1011\" height=\"677\" alt=\"A panel from a manga featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia gorogoro\" \u002F>\n\nゴロゴロ (goro-goro) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ゴロゴロ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a Japanese onomatopoeia that's got slightly more to it than meets the eye. It's technically a giongo which mimics the sound of something heavy rumbling around, like a boulder coming down a hill or thunder roaring in the distance.\n\nOften, though, you'll also see it used as a giyougo to describe someone \"rolling around on the floor\", either in a state of frustration or lazy relaxation. Apparently, it can also be used as a gijougo that describes the state in which you've got something in your eye (sand, a bug, etc.) that causes your eye to feel uncomfortable\u002Frough as it moves around.\n\nIn fact, [the Ninjal corpus](https:\u002F\u002Fwww2.ninjal.ac.jp\u002FOnomatope\u002Fcolumn\u002Fnihongo_1.html) (link in Japanese) describes it as a rare example of a word that can act as all 5 types of onomatopoeia.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 大きな岩が**ゴロゴロ**転がっている。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-大きな岩が__ゴロゴロ__転がっている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The large rock **rolled around, making a rumbling sound.**._\n- 日曜日に家でごろごろしている。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-日曜日に家でごろごろしている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> I'm lounging around the house on Sunday.\n\n### 6. ガシャン (gashan) – The sound of a smash, clash, whomp, or pow\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-gashan.jpeg\" width=\"1476\" height=\"578\" alt=\"An excerpt from a manga showing the Japanese onomatopoeia gashan, the sound of something shattering\" \u002F>\n\n\u003CCenteredText>_Note how ガシャン itself appears in the photo, but と is appended to it in the example sentences. This emphasizes that the sound is very brief, rather than being continuous._\u003CBR>\u003CBR>\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\nガシャン (gashan) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ガシャン.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a quite dramatic giongo that mimics the sound of something crashing or shattering, like glass breaking. You'll also see it used to describe the sound of a heavy blow _(whack, wham)_ and—as shown in _Sakamoto Days_ above—for the crash of a gun’s chamber being reloaded or disassembled.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- コップが床に落ちて**ガシャンと**割れた。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-コップが床に落ちてガシャンと割れた。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The glass fell to the floor and **shattered with a crash**._\n- **ガシャンと**受話器を置く。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ガシャンと受話器を置く。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> (He) slammed the (telephone) receiver down **with a bang.**\n\n### 7. キラキラ (kira-kira): The sound (?) of something sparkling\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-kirakira.png\" width=\"868\" height=\"286\" alt=\"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia kirakira, depicting the twinkling of a character's eyes\" \u002F>\n\nキラキラ (kira-kira) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-キラキラ.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a lovely gitaigo that describes something glittering or shining, like stars or jewelry.\n\n> ...Or, perhaps, the way his eyes ✨✨twinkle✨✨ when the cutest boy at school looks at you… _Kyaaa ～！_\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 夜空に**キラキラ**星が光っている。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-夜空にキラキラ星が光っている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _Stars are **sparkling** in the night sky._\n- 彼女の目は喜びで**キラキラしている**。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-彼女の目は喜びでキラキラしている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _Her eyes **sparkled** with joy._\n\n### 8. じーっ (jii) – The sound (?) of someone intently staring at something\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-jiii.jpeg\" width=\"1230\" height=\"592\" alt=\"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia Jiii, the sound of someone staring intently.\" \u002F>\n\n\u003CCenteredText>_The original word is じっと, but extending the い sound gives the nuance that the stare lasts longer_\u003CBR>\u003CBR>\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\nじっと (jitto) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-じっと.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is a gitaigo that describes a silent, intense gaze—someone watching something closely without blinking. You'll also see it used for someone entirely dissociating and staring into space, remaining quiet\u002Fmotionless, or stoically enduring a hardship.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 猫が**じーっ**と私を見ている。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-猫がじーっと私を見ている.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The cat is **staring at me intently**._\n- じゃ、注射しますよ。すぐ終わるから、**じっとしててね**。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-じゃ、注射しますよ。すぐ終わるから、じっとしててね。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> Alright, I'm going to give you the shot now. It'll be over quickly, so **stay still**, okay?\n\n### 9. ピピピピピ (pipipipipi): The sound of something beeping\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-bibibi.jpeg\" width=\"1716\" height=\"778\" alt=\"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia pipipipipi, used to depict the sound of an alarm clock ringing\" \u002F>\n\nピーピー (piipii) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ピーピー.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> was originally a giseigo that mimicked the sound of birds chirping, but with time, eventually came to _also_ be used as a giongo mimicking things like the repetitive beep of a digital alarm, microwave, or timer.\n\nYou'll also see this used to describe the sound of someone whistling or whining.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 目覚まし時計が**ピピピピピ**と鳴った。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-目覚まし時計がピピピピピと鳴った。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The alarm clock went off with a **beep-beep-beep**._\n- 小鳥が**ぴーぴー鳴いている**。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-小鳥がぴーぴー鳴いている。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> Birds are **chirping**.\n\n### 10. ドーン (doon): Japan's version of \"Boom!\"\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-doon.jpeg\" width=\"1190\" height=\"776\" alt=\"A manga panel featuring the Japanese onomatopoeia doon, which mimics a crash or loud sound\" \u002F>\n\n\u003CCenteredText>_This is from the manga \\_Sakamoto Days, which you can read the first several chapters of for free on [Shonen Jump](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.shonenjump.com\u002Fj\u002Frensai\u002Fsakamoto.html)._\u003CBR>\u003CBR>\u003C\u002FCenteredText>\n\nドーン (doon) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-ドーン.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> is an all-purpose giongo that can be used to describe pretty much any sort of explosion or loud impact: the explosion of fireworks, the roar of thunder, the _voom_ of a rocket flying through the air, the _whomp_ of a heavy hit, the _dong_ released upon striking a heavy bell, the _thud_ of something heavy hitting the floor.\n\nIt can also be used for generally dramatic bits of action—say, like an ex-hitman appearing behind you with a box cutter. Yikes.\n\n**Example sentences:**\n\n- 花火が**ドーンと**夜空に咲いた。\u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-花火がドーンと夜空に咲いた。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _A firework exploded in the sky **with a loud boom.**_\n- 重い扉は**どーんと**叩きやぶられた。 \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-重い扉はどーんと叩きやぶられた。.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio> \u003Cbr> _The heavy door was smashed open **with a loud bang.**_\n\n---\n\n## オノマトペ are things you _feel_... so learn them with manga!\n\nOkay, so now you know a few of the most common Japanese onomatopoeia you’re going to see popping up in manga and anime—where do you go from here?\n\n> Well, if we might be so bold: _Start reading manga and watching anime._\n\nSeriously. You'll see this stuff all the time. As you see more onomatopoeia alongside more images, you'll eventually develop a feel for what nuance a particular onomatopoeia adds to a scene.\n\nFor example—say you took us up on that free preview of [Sakamoto Days](https:\u002F\u002Fwww.shonenjump.com\u002Fj\u002Frensai\u002Fsakamoto.html) up above, and ended up binging like four chapters.\n\nYou'd see this:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug1.jpeg\" width=\"1524\" height=\"1202\" alt=\"An excerpt from the manga Sakamoto Days, which features a ton of onomatopoeia\" \u002F>\n\nThere's a lot _(a lot)_ of onomatopoeia in this manga, but that mid-right panel in particular has a wonderfully educational image: グイと _(グイッと to further emphasize the suddenness of the action)_ describes the motion that occurs when something is pushed or pulled with a strong, sudden force.\n\nOnomatopoeia are really something that you should _feel_, though... so, rather than adding a verbal definition, you can just pop that manga panel right into a flashcard:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug2.jpeg\" width=\"1896\" height=\"1204\" alt=\"A screenshot of Migaku's card creator, \" \u002F>\n\n_(Migaku can also automatically generate explanations and example sentences for you, and you can manually add definitions from dictionaries, just in case you want a bit of context.)_\n\nAfter about three seconds of work, you'll have yourself a handy little flashcard that looks like this:\n\n\u003Cimg src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fmigaku-japanese-onomatopoeia-plug3.jpeg\" width=\"1448\" height=\"1204\" alt=\"A screenshot of a flashcard created by Migaku showing the definition of the onomatopoeia ぐいと\" \u002F>\n\nWe'll periodically nudge you to review that flashcard over time, ensuring that you eventually commit it to memory.\n\nHere's an entire blog post on [how to learn Japanese with manga](\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Flearn-japanese-with-manga)... but, otherwise:\n\n## \u003Cprose-button href=\"\u002Flearn-japanese\" text=\"Learn Japanese with Migaku\">\u003C\u002Fprose-button>\n\n## By the way: Forget these \"Japanese onomatopoeia lists\" if you want to learn Japanese\n\nSo, we've got an entire post on [how to learn Japanese vocabulary](\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fhow-to-learn-japanese-vocabulary).\n\nThe most important takeaway from that blog post is this:\n\n- When you learn a vocabulary word via a list, textbook, or flashcard, it's like you get an empty cup\n- When you see those words used in real Japanese media, you fill the cup with water\n\nSo, while you're getting started, go ahead and use lists like this! They're a nice way to condense a bunch of information into something more easily digestible.\n\n... but if you _really_ want to learn Japanese, remember The Golden Rule of Language Learning™:\n\n> If you spend time consuming Japanese media, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. _Period_.\n\n[Ganbatte ne](\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fganbatte-meaning) \u003Ccustom-audio src=\"\u002Fassets\u002Fblog\u002Fja-がんばってね.mp3\" :type=\"3\">\u003C\u002Fcustom-audio>\n",{"title":5,"description":1198},"article\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-onomatopoeia","EtZF_sym60Cs7DE2V8xjAeN53c_Vc7OEeejT7B6-Vh0","June 5, 2025",{"approximate_member_count":1219},20275,{"id":1221,"documentId":1222,"title":1223,"description":1224,"timestampUnix":1225,"slug":1202,"h1":1226,"image":1227,"tags":1233,"lang":1238,"body":1239,"createdAt":2076,"updatedAt":2077,"publishedAt":2078,"category":2079,"featured":2080,"timestamp":2081,"locale":-1,"_dir":2079},2260,"bl2vul88hwd0cz7bynazr69q","Japanese Onomatopoeia: Common Sound Words & Their Meanings","Common Japanese onomatopoeia helps you understand anime and manga better. Discover gitaigo and giongo sound words and their expressive culture.","1768993260000","Japanese Onomatopoeia Words: Common Sound Words & Their Meanings",{"alt":1228,"src":1229,"width":1230,"height":1231,"previewOnly":1232},"Common sound words and their meanings - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_22_035624_df94c2f912\u002FScreenshot_2026_01_22_035624_df94c2f912.png",1000,463,false,[1234,1235,1236,1237],"fundamentals","vocabulary","phrases","grammar",null,{"data":1240,"body":1242,"toc":2059},{"title":282,"description":1241},"If you've ever watched anime or read manga, you've probably noticed all those weird sound effects scattered throughout. Words like \"doki doki\" for a heartbeat or \"goro goro\" for rolling thunder. These aren't just random syllables, they're Japanese onomatopoeia, and the Japanese language has way more of them than English does. We're talking thousands of these expressive words that describe everything from actual sounds to emotions, textures, and even silence. Pretty cool how a language can be so specific about describing the world around you, right?",{"type":1243,"children":1244},"root",[1245,1261,1264,1267,1273,1278,1283,1311,1316,1319,1325,1330,1345,1358,1361,1367,1372,1395,1400,1418,1423,1436,1441,1454,1457,1463,1468,1481,1486,1504,1509,1522,1527,1532,1537,1550,1553,1559,1564,1597,1600,1606,1611,1649,1652,1658,1663,1706,1709,1715,1720,1764,1767,1773,1808,1811,1817,1850,1853,1859,1892,1895,1901,1906,1914,1919,1936,1944,1949,1952,1958,1970,1993,1999,2002,2005,2011,2018,2021,2027,2030,2036,2041,2054],{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1247,"children":1248},"element",{},[1249,1252,1259],{"type":1250,"value":1251},"text","If you've ever watched anime or read manga, you've probably noticed all those weird sound effects scattered throughout. Words like \"doki doki\" for a heartbeat or \"goro goro\" for rolling thunder. These aren't just random syllables, they're Japanese onomatopoeia, and the ",{"type":1246,"tag":14,"props":1253,"children":1256},{"href":1254,"rel":1255},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Flearn-japanese",[318],[1257],{"type":1250,"value":1258},"Japanese language",{"type":1250,"value":1260}," has way more of them than English does. We're talking thousands of these expressive words that describe everything from actual sounds to emotions, textures, and even silence. Pretty cool how a language can be so specific about describing the world around you, right?",{"type":1246,"tag":55,"props":1262,"children":1263},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1265,"children":1266},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1268,"children":1270},{"id":1269},"what-makes-japanese-onomatopoeia-special",[1271],{"type":1250,"value":1272},"What makes Japanese onomatopoeia special",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1274,"children":1275},{},[1276],{"type":1250,"value":1277},"Here's the thing about onomatopoeic words in Japanese: they go way beyond what we think of as sound words in English. Sure, English has stuff like \"boom\" or \"meow,\" but Japanese takes this concept and runs wild with it.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1279,"children":1280},{},[1281],{"type":1250,"value":1282},"The Japanese language splits these words into two main categories.",{"type":1246,"tag":1284,"props":1285,"children":1286},"ol",{},[1287,1300],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1288,"children":1289},{},[1290,1292,1298],{"type":1250,"value":1291},"First, you've got giongo (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1294,"children":1297},"typo",{"lang":1295,"syntax":1296},"ja","擬音語[ぎおんご;h]",[],{"type":1250,"value":1299},"), which are actual sound effects. Think animal noises, crashes, bangs, that kind of stuff.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1301,"children":1302},{},[1303,1305,1309],{"type":1250,"value":1304},"Then there's gitaigo (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1306,"children":1308},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1307},"擬態語[ぎたいご;h]",[],{"type":1250,"value":1310},"), which describe things that don't make sounds at all, like emotions, states of being, or the way something looks or feels.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1312,"children":1313},{},[1314],{"type":1250,"value":1315},"That second category is where Japanese gets really interesting. You can use an onomatopoeic word to describe how nervous you feel, how someone's walking, or even the texture of food. English doesn't really have an equivalent system for this.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1317,"children":1318},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1320,"children":1322},{"id":1321},"how-to-recognize-onomatopoeic-words-hiragana-katakana-and-kanji-uses",[1323],{"type":1250,"value":1324},"How to recognize onomatopoeic words: Hiragana, katakana, and kanji uses",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1326,"children":1327},{},[1328],{"type":1250,"value":1329},"Most Japanese onomatopoeia follow some pretty consistent patterns. You'll usually see repeated syllables, like \"pika pika\" (Shiny\u002FSparkling) or \"niko niko\" (Smiling). This repetition makes them super easy to spot once you know what you're looking for.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1331,"children":1332},{},[1333,1335,1338,1340,1343],{"type":1250,"value":1334},"These words are typically written in katakana or hiragana, though you'll occasionally see kanji versions like ",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1336,"children":1337},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1296},[],{"type":1250,"value":1339}," and ",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1341,"children":1342},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1307},[],{"type":1250,"value":1344}," for the category names themselves. In manga, they're almost always in katakana to make them stand out visually on the page.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1346,"children":1347},{},[1348,1349,1356],{"type":1250,"value":511},{"type":1246,"tag":14,"props":1350,"children":1353},{"href":1351,"rel":1352},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku.com\u002Fblog\u002Fjapanese\u002Fjapanese-pronunciation-mistakes",[318],[1354],{"type":1250,"value":1355},"pronunciation",{"type":1250,"value":1357}," is usually straightforward since Japanese phonetics are pretty consistent. Each syllable gets equal emphasis, and the repeated pattern gives them a rhythmic quality that's honestly kind of fun to say out loud.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1359,"children":1360},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1362,"children":1364},{"id":1363},"animal-and-nature-sounds-giongo",[1365],{"type":1250,"value":1366},"Animal and nature sounds (Giongo)",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1368,"children":1369},{},[1370],{"type":1250,"value":1371},"Let's start with actual sound effects. These are what we'd traditionally call onomatopoeia in English.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1373,"children":1374},{},[1375,1380,1385,1390],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1376,"children":1377},{},[1378],{"type":1250,"value":1379},"Wan wan (ワンワン) is how dogs bark in Japanese.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1381,"children":1382},{},[1383],{"type":1250,"value":1384},"Cats say nyan nyan (ニャンニャン) instead of \"meow.\" Already pretty different from English, right?",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1386,"children":1387},{},[1388],{"type":1250,"value":1389},"Pigs go buu buu (ブーブー).",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1391,"children":1392},{},[1393],{"type":1250,"value":1394},"Roosters crow kokekokko (コケコッコー).",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1396,"children":1397},{},[1398],{"type":1250,"value":1399},"Rain has different sounds depending on intensity.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1401,"children":1402},{},[1403,1408,1413],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1404,"children":1405},{},[1406],{"type":1250,"value":1407},"Pota pota (ポタポタ) is dripping water or light rain.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1409,"children":1410},{},[1411],{"type":1250,"value":1412},"Zaa zaa (ザーザー) is heavy rain pouring down.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1414,"children":1415},{},[1416],{"type":1250,"value":1417},"Thunder rumbles with goro goro (ゴロゴロ), which also describes the sound of something rolling or a stomach growling.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1419,"children":1420},{},[1421],{"type":1250,"value":1422},"Wind makes different sounds as well!",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1424,"children":1425},{},[1426,1431],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1427,"children":1428},{},[1429],{"type":1250,"value":1430},"A hyuu hyuu (ヒューヒュー) sound when it's whistling.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1432,"children":1433},{},[1434],{"type":1250,"value":1435},"Or saa saa (サーサー) when it's rustling through leaves.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1437,"children":1438},{},[1439],{"type":1250,"value":1440},"As to water:",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1442,"children":1443},{},[1444,1449],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1445,"children":1446},{},[1447],{"type":1250,"value":1448},"Water flowing gently goes sara sara (サラサラ).",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1450,"children":1451},{},[1452],{"type":1250,"value":1453},"Waves crash with zabu zabu (ザブザブ).",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1455,"children":1456},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1458,"children":1460},{"id":1459},"human-sounds-and-actions",[1461],{"type":1250,"value":1462},"Human sounds and actions",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1464,"children":1465},{},[1466],{"type":1250,"value":1467},"People make all kinds of noises, and Japanese has onomatopoeic expressions for basically all of them.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1469,"children":1470},{},[1471,1476],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1472,"children":1473},{},[1474],{"type":1250,"value":1475},"Doki doki (ドキドキ) is probably one you've heard if you watch anime. It's the sound of a heartbeat, especially when you're nervous or excited.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1477,"children":1478},{},[1479],{"type":1250,"value":1480},"Peko peko (ペコペコ) describes a hungry, growling stomach.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1482,"children":1483},{},[1484],{"type":1250,"value":1485},"Laughing has several variations.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1487,"children":1488},{},[1489,1494,1499],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1490,"children":1491},{},[1492],{"type":1250,"value":1493},"Gera gera (ゲラゲラ) is loud, boisterous laughter.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1495,"children":1496},{},[1497],{"type":1250,"value":1498},"Niko niko (ニコニコ) is more like smiling happily.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1500,"children":1501},{},[1502],{"type":1250,"value":1503},"Kusu kusu (クスクス) is giggling or snickering quietly.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1505,"children":1506},{},[1507],{"type":1250,"value":1508},"When someone's crying, you might see:",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1510,"children":1511},{},[1512,1517],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1513,"children":1514},{},[1515],{"type":1250,"value":1516},"Shiku shiku (シクシク) for quiet sobbing.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1518,"children":1519},{},[1520],{"type":1250,"value":1521},"Waa waa (ワーワー) for loud wailing.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1523,"children":1524},{},[1525],{"type":1250,"value":1526},"Snoring goes guu guu (グーグー).",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1528,"children":1529},{},[1530],{"type":1250,"value":1531},"coughing is goho goho (ゴホゴホ).",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1533,"children":1534},{},[1535],{"type":1250,"value":1536},"For the Japanese gasp onomatopoeia, you'll typically see:",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1538,"children":1539},{},[1540,1545],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1541,"children":1542},{},[1543],{"type":1250,"value":1544},"Haa (ハー) for a sigh or exhale.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1546,"children":1547},{},[1548],{"type":1250,"value":1549},"Or ha (ハッ) for a sharp intake of breath when surprised.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1551,"children":1552},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1554,"children":1556},{"id":1555},"emotions-and-feelings-gitaigo",[1557],{"type":1250,"value":1558},"Emotions and feelings (Gitaigo)",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1560,"children":1561},{},[1562],{"type":1250,"value":1563},"This is where Japanese really shines. These mimetic words describe internal states that don't make actual sounds.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1565,"children":1566},{},[1567,1572,1577,1582,1587,1592],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1568,"children":1569},{},[1570],{"type":1250,"value":1571},"Waku waku (ワクワク) describes that excited, anticipatory feeling. Is waku waku an onomatopoeia? Technically yes, though it's specifically a gitaigo since excitement doesn't make a sound. You'd use it when you're looking forward to something, like \"waku waku shite iru\" (ワクワクしている), meaning \"I'm excited.\"",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1573,"children":1574},{},[1575],{"type":1250,"value":1576},"Ira ira (イライラ) captures that irritated, frustrated feeling when something's bothering you.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1578,"children":1579},{},[1580],{"type":1250,"value":1581},"Dara dara (ダラダラ) describes laziness or doing something sluggishly.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1583,"children":1584},{},[1585],{"type":1250,"value":1586},"Shiin (シーン) is one of my favorites because it literally represents silence. You'll see this in manga and anime all the time during awkward pauses or dramatic moments. It's the sound of nothing, which is kind of brilliant when you think about it.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1588,"children":1589},{},[1590],{"type":1250,"value":1591},"Moja moja (モジャモジャ) describes fidgeting nervously.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1593,"children":1594},{},[1595],{"type":1250,"value":1596},"Uki uki (ウキウキ) is that cheerful, bouncy feeling when you're in a great mood.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1598,"children":1599},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1601,"children":1603},{"id":1602},"movement-and-actions-which-are-using-onomatopoeia",[1604],{"type":1250,"value":1605},"Movement and actions which are using onomatopoeia",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1607,"children":1608},{},[1609],{"type":1250,"value":1610},"Japanese uses tons of onomatopoeia to describe how things move or happen.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1612,"children":1613},{},[1614,1619,1624,1629,1634,1639,1644],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1615,"children":1616},{},[1617],{"type":1250,"value":1618},"Pika pika (ピカピカ) means something's shiny or sparkling. You know Pikachu from Pokemon? The name comes from this word combined with chu chu (チューチュー), the sound a mouse makes.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1620,"children":1621},{},[1622],{"type":1250,"value":1623},"Goro goro (ゴロゴロ) describes rolling or tumbling, but also lounging around lazily. Context matters a lot with these words.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1625,"children":1626},{},[1627],{"type":1250,"value":1628},"Fura fura (フラフラ) is wobbling or staggering, like when you're dizzy or drunk. Yota yota (ヨタヨタ) is similar but more like tottering from old age or weakness.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1630,"children":1631},{},[1632],{"type":1250,"value":1633},"Kira kira (キラキラ) describes something glittering or twinkling.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1635,"children":1636},{},[1637],{"type":1250,"value":1638},"Gura gura (グラグラ) is shaking or wobbling, often used during earthquakes.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1640,"children":1641},{},[1642],{"type":1250,"value":1643},"Zuka zuka (ズカズカ) is walking boldly or stomping.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1645,"children":1646},{},[1647],{"type":1250,"value":1648},"Toko toko (トコトコ) is walking quickly with small steps, like a little kid or small animal.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1650,"children":1651},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1653,"children":1655},{"id":1654},"textures-and-physical-sensations-onomatopoeia-in-japanese-grammar",[1656],{"type":1250,"value":1657},"Textures and physical sensations onomatopoeia in Japanese grammar",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1659,"children":1660},{},[1661],{"type":1250,"value":1662},"The Japanese get super specific about how things feel to the touch or in your mouth.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1664,"children":1665},{},[1666,1671,1676,1681,1686,1691,1696,1701],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1667,"children":1668},{},[1669],{"type":1250,"value":1670},"Sara sara (サラサラ) describes something smooth and silky, like hair or sand flowing through your fingers.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1672,"children":1673},{},[1674],{"type":1250,"value":1675},"Zara zara (ザラザラ) is the opposite: rough or grainy.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1677,"children":1678},{},[1679],{"type":1250,"value":1680},"Beta beta (ベタベタ) means sticky or tacky.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1682,"children":1683},{},[1684],{"type":1250,"value":1685},"Nuru nuru (ヌルヌル) is slimy or slippery, like seaweed or lotion.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1687,"children":1688},{},[1689],{"type":1250,"value":1690},"Fuwa fuwa (フワフワ) describes something soft and fluffy, like a cloud or freshly baked bread.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1692,"children":1693},{},[1694],{"type":1250,"value":1695},"Mochi mochi (モチモチ) is that chewy, springy texture you get with rice cakes.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1697,"children":1698},{},[1699],{"type":1250,"value":1700},"Puru puru (プルプル) is something jiggly or trembling, often used for jello or pudding.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1702,"children":1703},{},[1704],{"type":1250,"value":1705},"Kachi kachi (カチカチ) means rock hard or frozen solid.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1707,"children":1708},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1710,"children":1712},{"id":1711},"eating-drinking-and-texture-of-food",[1713],{"type":1250,"value":1714},"Eating, drinking, and texture of food",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1716,"children":1717},{},[1718],{"type":1250,"value":1719},"Food gets its own whole category of onomatopoeic word options in Japanese.",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1721,"children":1722},{},[1723,1734,1739,1744,1749,1754,1759],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1724,"children":1725},{},[1726,1728,1732],{"type":1250,"value":1727},"Paku paku (パクパク) is the sound of eating, like chomping or munching. You'll often see it as a verb when combined with \"taberu\" (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1729,"children":1731},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1730},"食[た;k2]べる",[],{"type":1250,"value":1733},"): \"paku paku taberu\" means to eat heartily.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1735,"children":1736},{},[1737],{"type":1250,"value":1738},"Goku goku (ゴクゴク) describes gulping down a drink.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1740,"children":1741},{},[1742],{"type":1250,"value":1743},"Zuzu (ズズ) or zuru zuru (ズルズル) is slurping, especially noodles. This one's actually considered polite in Japan when eating ramen or soba.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1745,"children":1746},{},[1747],{"type":1250,"value":1748},"Bari bari (バリバリ) is crunching on something hard and crispy.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1750,"children":1751},{},[1752],{"type":1250,"value":1753},"Saku saku (サクサク) is a lighter crunch, like biting into a crispy cookie or tempura.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1755,"children":1756},{},[1757],{"type":1250,"value":1758},"Pecha pecha (ペチャペチャ) describes smacking your lips or talking while eating.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1760,"children":1761},{},[1762],{"type":1250,"value":1763},"Chara chara (チャラチャラ) is the clinking sound of dishes or glasses.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1765,"children":1766},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1768,"children":1770},{"id":1769},"sleep-and-rest",[1771],{"type":1250,"value":1772},"Sleep and rest",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1774,"children":1775},{},[1776,1787,1798,1803],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1777,"children":1778},{},[1779,1781,1785],{"type":1250,"value":1780},"Guu guu (グーグー) is snoring, but also that deep sleep state. You might say \"guu guu nete iru\" (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1782,"children":1784},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1783},"グーグー[;a] 寝[ね,ねる;h]て いる[;h]",[],{"type":1250,"value":1786},") for sleeping soundly.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1788,"children":1789},{},[1790,1792,1796],{"type":1250,"value":1791},"Suu suu (スースー) is quiet, peaceful breathing during sleep. Gussuri (ぐっすり) works as an adverb meaning sleeping deeply or soundly, like \"gussuri nemuru\" (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1793,"children":1795},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1794},"ぐっすり[;n3] 眠[ねむ;h]る",[],{"type":1250,"value":1797},").",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1799,"children":1800},{},[1801],{"type":1250,"value":1802},"Uto uto (ウトウト) describes dozing off or being drowsy.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1804,"children":1805},{},[1806],{"type":1250,"value":1807},"Goro goro (ゴロゴロ) shows up again here for lying around or lounging lazily.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1809,"children":1810},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1812,"children":1814},{"id":1813},"pain-and-discomfort",[1815],{"type":1250,"value":1816},"Pain and discomfort",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1818,"children":1819},{},[1820,1825,1830,1835,1840,1845],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1821,"children":1822},{},[1823],{"type":1250,"value":1824},"Zuki zuki (ズキズキ) is a throbbing pain, like a headache or toothache.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1826,"children":1827},{},[1828],{"type":1250,"value":1829},"Chiku chiku (チクチク) describes a prickling or stinging sensation.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1831,"children":1832},{},[1833],{"type":1250,"value":1834},"Kiri kiri (キリキリ) is a sharp, stabbing pain, often used for stomach aches.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1836,"children":1837},{},[1838],{"type":1250,"value":1839},"Hiri hiri (ヒリヒリ) is that burning, stinging feeling you get from a scrape or sunburn.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1841,"children":1842},{},[1843],{"type":1250,"value":1844},"Gangan (ガンガン) describes a pounding headache.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1846,"children":1847},{},[1848],{"type":1250,"value":1849},"Zowa zowa (ゾワゾワ) is that creepy, unsettling feeling, like goosebumps or shivers down your spine.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1851,"children":1852},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1854,"children":1856},{"id":1855},"weather-and-temperature",[1857],{"type":1250,"value":1858},"Weather and temperature",{"type":1246,"tag":252,"props":1860,"children":1861},{},[1862,1867,1872,1877,1882,1887],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1863,"children":1864},{},[1865],{"type":1250,"value":1866},"Poka poka (ポカポカ) means pleasantly warm, like a sunny spring day.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1868,"children":1869},{},[1870],{"type":1250,"value":1871},"Jiri jiri (ジリジリ) is intense, scorching heat beating down on you.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1873,"children":1874},{},[1875],{"type":1250,"value":1876},"Hiya hiya (ヒヤヒヤ) describes feeling chilly or that nervous, cold sweat feeling.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1878,"children":1879},{},[1880],{"type":1250,"value":1881},"Buru buru (ブルブル) is shivering from cold or fear.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1883,"children":1884},{},[1885],{"type":1250,"value":1886},"Shito shito (シトシト) is gentle, continuous rain.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1888,"children":1889},{},[1890],{"type":1250,"value":1891},"Para para (パラパラ) is light, scattered rain or the beginning of rainfall.",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1893,"children":1894},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1896,"children":1898},{"id":1897},"how-to-use-onomatopoeia-in-sentences",[1899],{"type":1250,"value":1900},"How to use onomatopoeia in sentences",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1902,"children":1903},{},[1904],{"type":1250,"value":1905},"Most Japanese onomatopoeia work as adverbs modifying verbs.",{"type":1246,"tag":277,"props":1907,"children":1908},{},[1909],{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1910,"children":1911},{},[1912],{"type":1250,"value":1913},"The basic pattern is: onomatopoeia + verb.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1915,"children":1916},{},[1917],{"type":1250,"value":1918},"For example: \"Doki doki suru\" (ドキドキする) means \"to feel nervous\u002Fexcited.\" The \"suru\" (する) is a generic verb that basically means \"to do,\" so you're literally saying \"to do doki doki.\"",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1920,"children":1921},{},[1922,1924,1928,1930,1934],{"type":1250,"value":1923},"You can also attach them to specific verbs: \"Niko niko warau\" (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1925,"children":1927},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1926},"ニコニコ[;a] 笑[わら;h]う",[],{"type":1250,"value":1929},") means \"to smile happily.\" Here, \"warau\" (",{"type":1246,"tag":1293,"props":1931,"children":1933},{"lang":1295,"syntax":1932},"笑[わら;h]う",[],{"type":1250,"value":1935},") is the verb for laughing or smiling.",{"type":1246,"tag":277,"props":1937,"children":1938},{},[1939],{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1940,"children":1941},{},[1942],{"type":1250,"value":1943},"The \"no\" (の) particle connects the onomatopoeia to the noun.",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1945,"children":1946},{},[1947],{"type":1250,"value":1948},"Some work as descriptors: \"Fuwa fuwa no pan\" (フワフワのパン) means \"fluffy bread.\"",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":1950,"children":1951},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":1953,"children":1955},{"id":1954},"learn-japanese-onomatopoeia-effectively",[1956],{"type":1250,"value":1957},"Learn Japanese onomatopoeia effectively",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":1959,"children":1960},{},[1961,1963,1968],{"type":1250,"value":1962},"How many Japanese onomatopoeia words do you know? If you're just starting to ",{"type":1246,"tag":14,"props":1964,"children":1966},{"href":1254,"rel":1965},[318],[1967],{"type":1250,"value":17},{"type":1250,"value":1969},", these words can actually be super helpful for building vocabulary. They're memorable because of their sound patterns, and they show up constantly in everyday conversation.",{"type":1246,"tag":1284,"props":1971,"children":1972},{},[1973,1978,1983,1988],{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1974,"children":1975},{},[1976],{"type":1250,"value":1977},"Start with the most common ones you'll hear in daily life. Words like doki doki, pika pika, and waku waku appear all the time in casual speech. Native speakers use them way more than you'd expect.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1979,"children":1980},{},[1981],{"type":1250,"value":1982},"Reading manga is honestly one of the best ways to learn these words in context. The visual nature of manga means you can see exactly what action or emotion the onomatopoeia is describing. Anime works too, though you won't see them written out as clearly.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1984,"children":1985},{},[1986],{"type":1250,"value":1987},"The key is exposure. The more you encounter them in real contexts, the more natural they'll feel. They might seem weird at first, but they're actually pretty logical once you get used to the patterns.",{"type":1246,"tag":255,"props":1989,"children":1990},{},[1991],{"type":1250,"value":1992},"If you want to actually master these expressions while watching your favorite shows, Migaku's browser extension and app let you look up any word instantly, including all these onomatopoeia. You can create flashcards directly from anime subtitles and build your vocabulary through actual content you enjoy. There's a 10-day free trial if you want to check it out.",{"type":1246,"tag":66,"props":1994,"children":1998},{"src":1995,"width":1996,"height":1230,"alt":1997},"https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002F3_screens_purple_7_0a9f83dcce\u002F3_screens_purple_7_0a9f83dcce.png",1620,"Immerse in Japanese culture with Migaku",[],{"type":1246,"tag":1124,"props":2000,"children":2001},{"href":16,"text":1126},[],{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":2003,"children":2004},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":2006,"children":2008},{"id":2007},"faqs",[2009],{"type":1250,"value":2010},"FAQs",{"type":1246,"tag":2012,"props":2013,"children":2015},"accordion",{"heading":2014},"Do Japanese have the most onomatopoeia?",[2016],{"type":1250,"value":2017},"\nIt's hard to say definitively, but Japanese definitely has way more than most languages. Estimates put the number somewhere between 4,500 and 5,000 distinct onomatopoeic words, compared to maybe a few hundred in English.\n",{"type":1246,"tag":245,"props":2019,"children":2020},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":2012,"props":2022,"children":2024},{"heading":2023},"Why does Japanese have so many onomatopoeia?",[2025],{"type":1250,"value":2026},"\nPart of this comes from the language's structure. Japanese phonetics allow for lots of variation through consonant changes and vowel shifts. There's also a cultural aspect. The language values precision in describing sensory experiences, and onomatopoeia provides a shorthand for conveying these nuances quickly.\n",{"type":1246,"tag":58,"props":2028,"children":2029},{},[],{"type":1246,"tag":61,"props":2031,"children":2033},{"id":2032},"explore-types-of-japanese-onomatopoeia-in-manga-and-anime",[2034],{"type":1250,"value":2035},"Explore types of Japanese onomatopoeia in manga and anime",{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":2037,"children":2038},{},[2039],{"type":1250,"value":2040},"If you read manga or watch anime, you're already seeing these words constantly. They're everywhere in Japanese media. Manga artists use onomatopoeia as both sound effects and visual elements, while in anime, you'll hear characters using these words in dialogue all the time. Voice actors often emphasize these words for comedic or dramatic effect. The rhythmic quality makes them fun to say and memorable to hear.",{"type":1246,"tag":277,"props":2042,"children":2043},{},[2044],{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":2045,"children":2046},{},[2047,2049,2053],{"type":1250,"value":2048},"If you consume media in Japanese, and you understand at least some of the messages and sentences within that media, you will make progress. ",{"type":1246,"tag":23,"props":2050,"children":2051},{},[2052],{"type":1250,"value":1166},{"type":1250,"value":275},{"type":1246,"tag":10,"props":2055,"children":2056},{},[2057],{"type":1250,"value":2058},"Use what you learned today to decipher your favorite manga chapter!",{"title":282,"searchDepth":1177,"depth":1177,"links":2060},[2061,2062,2063,2064,2065,2066,2067,2068,2069,2070,2071,2072,2073,2074,2075],{"id":1269,"depth":1177,"text":1272},{"id":1321,"depth":1177,"text":1324},{"id":1363,"depth":1177,"text":1366},{"id":1459,"depth":1177,"text":1462},{"id":1555,"depth":1177,"text":1558},{"id":1602,"depth":1177,"text":1605},{"id":1654,"depth":1177,"text":1657},{"id":1711,"depth":1177,"text":1714},{"id":1769,"depth":1177,"text":1772},{"id":1813,"depth":1177,"text":1816},{"id":1855,"depth":1177,"text":1858},{"id":1897,"depth":1177,"text":1900},{"id":1954,"depth":1177,"text":1957},{"id":2007,"depth":1177,"text":2010},{"id":2032,"depth":1177,"text":2035},"2026-01-21T11:01:20.641Z","2026-02-04T02:13:50.273Z","2026-02-04T02:13:50.326Z","japanese",0,"January 21, 2026",[2083],{"id":4,"title":5,"body":2084,"description":1198,"extension":1199,"meta":2847,"navigation":1211,"path":1212,"rawbody":1213,"seo":2850,"stem":1215,"__hash__":1216,"timestampUnix":1201,"slug":1202,"h1":1203,"image":2848,"tags":2849},{"type":7,"value":2085,"toc":2828},[2086,2090,2094,2104,2106,2108,2110,2112,2114,2116,2118,2120,2122,2124,2128,2130,2134,2178,2180,2240,2242,2256,2268,2270,2272,2274,2281,2283,2285,2287,2295,2299,2303,2307,2335,2337,2339,2347,2351,2355,2381,2383,2385,2389,2391,2395,2419,2421,2423,2432,2437,2441,2467,2469,2471,2475,2477,2482,2486,2506,2508,2510,2518,2526,2530,2554,2556,2558,2562,2568,2572,2598,2600,2602,2610,2614,2618,2642,2644,2646,2652,2654,2658,2682,2684,2686,2697,2709,2711,2715,2741,2743,2747,2749,2755,2757,2762,2764,2766,2772,2776,2778,2782,2784,2786,2788,2792,2796,2798,2802,2804,2810,2812,2816,2822],[10,2087,12,2088,18],{},[14,2089,17],{"href":16},[10,2091,21,2092,26],{},[23,2093,25],{},[10,2095,29,2096,35,2098,39,2100,43,2102,47],{},[31,2097],{"src":33,":type":34},[31,2099],{"src":38,":type":34},[23,2101,42],{},[31,2103],{"src":46,":type":34},[10,2105,50],{},[10,2107,53],{},[55,2109],{},[58,2111],{},[61,2113,64],{"id":63},[66,2115],{"src":68,"width":69,"height":70,"alt":71},[10,2117,74],{},[10,2119,77],{},[10,2121,80],{},[10,2123,83],{},[10,2125,2126],{},[23,2127,88],{},[61,2129,92],{"id":91},[10,2131,95,2132],{},[23,2133,98],{},[100,2135,2136,2148],{},[103,2137,2138],{},[106,2139,2140,2142,2144,2146],{},[109,2141,111],{},[109,2143,114],{},[109,2145,117],{},[109,2147,120],{},[122,2149,2150,2164],{},[106,2151,2152,2156,2158,2162],{},[127,2153,129,2154],{},[31,2155],{"src":132,":type":34},[127,2157,135],{},[127,2159,138,2160],{},[31,2161],{"src":141,":type":34},[127,2163,144],{},[106,2165,2166,2170,2172,2176],{},[127,2167,149,2168],{},[31,2169],{"src":152,":type":34},[127,2171,155],{},[127,2173,158,2174],{},[31,2175],{"src":161,":type":34},[127,2177,164],{},[10,2179,167],{},[100,2181,2182,2194],{},[103,2183,2184],{},[106,2185,2186,2188,2190,2192],{},[109,2187,111],{},[109,2189,114],{},[109,2191,117],{},[109,2193,120],{},[122,2195,2196,2210,2224],{},[106,2197,2198,2202,2204,2208],{},[127,2199,188,2200],{},[31,2201],{"src":191,":type":34},[127,2203,194],{},[127,2205,197,2206],{},[31,2207],{"src":200,":type":34},[127,2209,203],{},[106,2211,2212,2216,2218,2222],{},[127,2213,208,2214],{},[31,2215],{"src":211,":type":34},[127,2217,214],{},[127,2219,217,2220],{},[31,2221],{"src":220,":type":34},[127,2223,223],{},[106,2225,2226,2230,2232,2236],{},[127,2227,228,2228],{},[31,2229],{"src":231,":type":34},[127,2231,234],{},[127,2233,237,2234],{},[31,2235],{"src":240,":type":34},[127,2237,243,2238,247],{},[245,2239],{},[10,2241,250],{},[252,2243,2244],{},[255,2245,257,2246,262,2248,266,2250,266,2252],{},[259,2247,261],{},[31,2249],{"src":265,":type":34},[245,2251],{},[23,2253,271,2254,275],{},[259,2255,274],{},[277,2257,2258,2260,2262],{},[280,2259,283],{"bold":282,"underline":282},[245,2261],{},[280,2263,288,2264,293,2266,297],{},[290,2265,292],{},[290,2267,296],{},[58,2269],{},[61,2271,303],{"id":302},[10,2273,306],{},[10,2275,309,2276,313,2278,320],{},[23,2277,312],{},[14,2279,319],{"href":316,"rel":2280},[318],[10,2282,323],{},[325,2284,328],{"id":327},[66,2286],{"src":331,"width":332,"height":333,"alt":334},[280,2288,2289,2291,2293],{},[23,2290,339],{},[245,2292],{},[245,2294],{},[10,2296,346,2297,349],{},[31,2298],{"src":33,":type":34},[10,2300,352,2301,356],{},[23,2302,355],{},[10,2304,2305],{},[259,2306,361],{},[252,2308,2309,2323],{},[255,2310,366,2311,370,2313,266,2315,266,2317],{},[259,2312,369],{},[31,2314],{"src":373,":type":34},[245,2316],{},[23,2318,378,2319,266,2321,275],{},[259,2320,381],{},[259,2322,384],{},[255,2324,387,2325,370,2327,266,2329,266,2331],{},[259,2326,390],{},[31,2328],{"src":393,":type":34},[245,2330],{},[23,2332,398,2333],{},[259,2334,401],{},[325,2336,405],{"id":404},[66,2338],{"src":408,"width":409,"height":410,"alt":411},[280,2340,2341,2343,2345],{},[23,2342,416],{},[245,2344],{},[245,2346],{},[10,2348,423,2349,427],{},[31,2350],{"src":426,":type":34},[10,2352,2353],{},[259,2354,361],{},[252,2356,2357,2369],{},[255,2358,436,2359,440,2361,266,2363,266,2365],{},[259,2360,439],{},[31,2362],{"src":443,":type":34},[245,2364],{},[23,2366,448,2367,452],{},[259,2368,451],{},[255,2370,455,2371,459,2373,266,2375,266,2377],{},[259,2372,458],{},[31,2374],{"src":462,":type":34},[245,2376],{},[23,2378,467,2379,471],{},[259,2380,470],{},[325,2382,475],{"id":474},[66,2384],{"src":478,"width":479,"height":480,"alt":481},[10,2386,484,2387,488],{},[31,2388],{"src":487,":type":34},[10,2390,491],{},[10,2392,2393],{},[259,2394,361],{},[252,2396,2397,2409],{},[255,2398,2399,503,2401,266,2403,266,2405],{},[259,2400,502],{},[31,2402],{"src":506,":type":34},[245,2404],{},[23,2406,511,2407,515],{},[259,2408,514],{},[255,2410,518,2411,266,2413,266,2415,527,2417,531],{},[259,2412,521],{},[31,2414],{"src":524,":type":34},[245,2416],{},[259,2418,530],{},[325,2420,535],{"id":534},[66,2422],{"src":538,"width":539,"height":540,"alt":541},[10,2424,544,2425,548,2427,554,2430,558],{},[31,2426],{"src":547,":type":34},[14,2428,553],{"href":551,"rel":2429},[318],[31,2431],{"src":557,":type":34},[10,2433,561,2434,567],{},[14,2435,566],{"href":564,"rel":2436},[318],[10,2438,2439],{},[259,2440,361],{},[252,2442,2443,2455],{},[255,2444,576,2445,580,2447,266,2449,266,2451],{},[259,2446,579],{},[31,2448],{"src":583,":type":34},[245,2450],{},[23,2452,588,2453,592],{},[259,2454,591],{},[255,2456,595,2457,599,2459,266,2461,266,2463],{},[259,2458,598],{},[31,2460],{"src":602,":type":34},[245,2462],{},[23,2464,607,2465,611],{},[259,2466,610],{},[325,2468,615],{"id":614},[66,2470],{"src":618,"width":619,"height":620,"alt":621},[10,2472,624,2473,628],{},[31,2474],{"src":627,":type":34},[10,2476,631],{},[10,2478,634,2479,640],{},[14,2480,639],{"href":637,"rel":2481},[318],[10,2483,2484],{},[259,2485,361],{},[252,2487,2488,2500],{},[255,2489,649,2490,653,2492,266,2494,266,2496],{},[259,2491,652],{},[31,2493],{"src":656,":type":34},[245,2495],{},[23,2497,661,2498,275],{},[259,2499,664],{},[255,2501,667,2502,266,2504,673],{},[31,2503],{"src":670,":type":34},[245,2505],{},[325,2507,677],{"id":676},[66,2509],{"src":680,"width":681,"height":682,"alt":683},[280,2511,2512,2514,2516],{},[23,2513,688],{},[245,2515],{},[245,2517],{},[10,2519,695,2520,699,2522,703,2524,707],{},[31,2521],{"src":698,":type":34},[23,2523,702],{},[23,2525,706],{},[10,2527,2528],{},[259,2529,361],{},[252,2531,2532,2544],{},[255,2533,716,2534,720,2536,266,2538,266,2540],{},[259,2535,719],{},[31,2537],{"src":723,":type":34},[245,2539],{},[23,2541,728,2542,275],{},[259,2543,731],{},[255,2545,2546,736,2548,266,2550,742,2552],{},[259,2547,719],{},[31,2549],{"src":739,":type":34},[245,2551],{},[259,2553,745],{},[325,2555,749],{"id":748},[66,2557],{"src":752,"width":753,"height":754,"alt":755},[10,2559,758,2560,761],{},[31,2561],{"src":38,":type":34},[277,2563,2564],{},[10,2565,766,2566],{},[23,2567,769],{},[10,2569,2570],{},[259,2571,361],{},[252,2573,2574,2586],{},[255,2575,778,2576,782,2578,266,2580,266,2582],{},[259,2577,781],{},[31,2579],{"src":785,":type":34},[245,2581],{},[23,2583,790,2584,794],{},[259,2585,793],{},[255,2587,797,2588,599,2590,266,2592,266,2594],{},[259,2589,800],{},[31,2591],{"src":803,":type":34},[245,2593],{},[23,2595,808,2596,812],{},[259,2597,811],{},[325,2599,816],{"id":815},[66,2601],{"src":819,"width":820,"height":821,"alt":822},[280,2603,2604,2606,2608],{},[23,2605,827],{},[245,2607],{},[245,2609],{},[10,2611,834,2612,838],{},[31,2613],{"src":837,":type":34},[10,2615,2616],{},[259,2617,361],{},[252,2619,2620,2632],{},[255,2621,847,2622,851,2624,266,2626,266,2628],{},[259,2623,850],{},[31,2625],{"src":854,":type":34},[245,2627],{},[23,2629,859,2630,275],{},[259,2631,862],{},[255,2633,865,2634,599,2636,266,2638,874,2640,878],{},[259,2635,868],{},[31,2637],{"src":871,":type":34},[245,2639],{},[259,2641,877],{},[325,2643,882],{"id":881},[66,2645],{"src":885,"width":886,"height":887,"alt":888},[10,2647,891,2648,895,2650,899],{},[31,2649],{"src":894,":type":34},[23,2651,898],{},[10,2653,902],{},[10,2655,2656],{},[259,2657,361],{},[252,2659,2660,2672],{},[255,2661,911,2662,915,2664,266,2666,266,2668],{},[259,2663,914],{},[31,2665],{"src":918,":type":34},[245,2667],{},[23,2669,923,2670,275],{},[259,2671,926],{},[255,2673,929,2674,599,2676,266,2678,938,2680,275],{},[259,2675,932],{},[31,2677],{"src":935,":type":34},[245,2679],{},[259,2681,941],{},[325,2683,945],{"id":944},[66,2685],{"src":948,"width":949,"height":950,"alt":951},[280,2687,2688,2693,2695],{},[23,2689,956,2690,275],{},[14,2691,961],{"href":959,"rel":2692},[318],[245,2694],{},[245,2696],{},[10,2698,968,2699,972,2701,976,2703,980,2705,984,2707,988],{},[31,2700],{"src":971,":type":34},[23,2702,975],{},[23,2704,979],{},[23,2706,983],{},[23,2708,987],{},[10,2710,991],{},[10,2712,2713],{},[259,2714,361],{},[252,2716,2717,2729],{},[255,2718,1000,2719,1004,2721,266,2723,266,2725],{},[259,2720,1003],{},[31,2722],{"src":1007,":type":34},[245,2724],{},[23,2726,1012,2727],{},[259,2728,1015],{},[255,2730,1018,2731,1022,2733,266,2735,266,2737],{},[259,2732,1021],{},[31,2734],{"src":1025,":type":34},[245,2736],{},[23,2738,1030,2739],{},[259,2740,1033],{},[58,2742],{},[61,2744,1039,2745,1043],{"id":1038},[23,2746,1042],{},[10,2748,1046],{},[277,2750,2751],{},[10,2752,1051,2753],{},[23,2754,1054],{},[10,2756,1057],{},[10,2758,1060,2759,1064],{},[14,2760,706],{"href":959,"rel":2761},[318],[10,2763,1067],{},[66,2765],{"src":1070,"width":1071,"height":1072,"alt":1073},[10,2767,1076,2768,1080,2770,1084],{},[23,2769,1079],{},[23,2771,1083],{},[10,2773,1087,2774,1090],{},[23,2775,1042],{},[66,2777],{"src":1093,"width":1094,"height":1095,"alt":1096},[10,2779,2780],{},[23,2781,1101],{},[10,2783,1104],{},[66,2785],{"src":1107,"width":1108,"height":1095,"alt":1109},[10,2787,1112],{},[10,2789,1115,2790,1120],{},[14,2791,1119],{"href":1118},[61,2793,2794],{"id":282},[1124,2795],{"href":16,"text":1126},[61,2797,1130],{"id":1129},[10,2799,1133,2800,275],{},[14,2801,1137],{"href":1136},[10,2803,1140],{},[252,2805,2806,2808],{},[255,2807,1145],{},[255,2809,1148],{},[10,2811,1151],{},[10,2813,1154,2814,1158],{},[23,2815,1157],{},[277,2817,2818],{},[10,2819,1163,2820,275],{},[23,2821,1166],{},[10,2823,2824,266,2826],{},[14,2825,1172],{"href":1171},[31,2827],{"src":1175,":type":34},{"title":282,"searchDepth":1177,"depth":1177,"links":2829},[2830,2831,2832,2844,2845,2846],{"id":63,"depth":1177,"text":64},{"id":91,"depth":1177,"text":92},{"id":302,"depth":1177,"text":303,"children":2833},[2834,2835,2836,2837,2838,2839,2840,2841,2842,2843],{"id":327,"depth":1184,"text":328},{"id":404,"depth":1184,"text":405},{"id":474,"depth":1184,"text":475},{"id":534,"depth":1184,"text":535},{"id":614,"depth":1184,"text":615},{"id":676,"depth":1184,"text":677},{"id":748,"depth":1184,"text":749},{"id":815,"depth":1184,"text":816},{"id":881,"depth":1184,"text":882},{"id":944,"depth":1184,"text":945},{"id":1038,"depth":1177,"text":1195},{"id":282,"depth":1177,"text":282},{"id":1129,"depth":1177,"text":1130},{"timestampUnix":1201,"slug":1202,"h1":1203,"image":2848,"tags":2849},{"src":1205,"width":1206,"height":1207,"alt":1208},[1210],{"title":5,"description":1198},[2852,2866,2878],{"id":2853,"documentId":2854,"slug":2855,"category":2079,"lang":1238,"title":2856,"description":2857,"image":2858,"tags":2862,"timestampUnix":2865,"featured":1232},6138,"t4kyrojag773t50kom5plzgu","japanese-writing-systems-explained","Japanese Writing Systems Explained: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji","Learn the three Japanese writing systems: hiragana, katakana, and kanji. Understand their origins, usage, and which to learn first for reading Japanese.",{"alt":2859,"src":2860,"width":1230,"height":2861,"previewOnly":1232},"The three Japanese writing systems explained - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FJapanese_Writing_System_d6c8fa4b_d6c0_4e29_b016_423f201c4ca2_7c98c01af0\u002FJapanese_Writing_System_d6c8fa4b_d6c0_4e29_b016_423f201c4ca2_7c98c01af0.jpg",1053,[1234,2863,2864],"culture","deepdive","1776272460000",{"id":2867,"documentId":2868,"slug":2869,"category":2079,"lang":1238,"title":2870,"description":2871,"image":2872,"tags":2876,"timestampUnix":2877,"featured":1232},5900,"f2o45r1q13caqr4rlq02jhhl","japanese-alphabet-guide-hiragana-katakana-kanji","Japanese Alphabet Guide: Hiragana, Katakana & Kanji Explained","Learn how the Japanese alphabet actually works. Complete guide to hiragana, katakana, and kanji with practical tips for mastering Japanese writing systems.",{"alt":2873,"src":2874,"width":1230,"height":2875,"previewOnly":1232},"Understanding the Japanese writing system - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002FScreenshot_2026_04_13_014615_3eddd837e9\u002FScreenshot_2026_04_13_014615_3eddd837e9.png",626,[1234,1355,1237],"1776027660000",{"id":2879,"documentId":2880,"slug":2881,"category":2079,"lang":1238,"title":2882,"description":2883,"image":2884,"tags":2888,"timestampUnix":2889,"featured":1232},5846,"q6j9qy3whoetrn9x84kd4wkl","japanese-weather-phrases-daily-conversation","Japanese Weather Phrases for Daily Conversation","Learn common Japanese weather phrases for everyday conversations. Master essential vocabulary like sunny, rainy, and temperature descriptions with examples.",{"alt":2885,"src":2886,"width":1230,"height":2887,"previewOnly":1232},"Common Japanese weather phrases for daily conversation - Banner","https:\u002F\u002Fmigaku-cms-assets.migaku.com\u002F890940_ea2b811b0b\u002F890940_ea2b811b0b.jpg",800,[1235,1236],"1775617200000"]