ニコ
niko
niko is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a gentle smile.
Which one should you use?
The way you modify the word changes the nuance of the smile: the standard ニコ describes a gentle smile, while doubling the word to ニコニコ expresses a continuous state of smiling or a cheerful mood. Adding a small ッ at the end to form ニコッ suggests a smile that is sudden, brief or sharp.
How does it change in a sentence?
You can change the duration or nature of the smile through reduplication or by adding a small ッ. Doubling the term to ニコニコ creates a sense of ongoing, continuous smiling, whereas adding the small ッ at the end for ニコッ implies a momentary or quick action.
How do you pronounce it?
niko
Did you know?
- The Japanese video sharing site Niconico is named after this word, reflecting a desire for the community to be as cheerful and smiling as the phrase ニコニコ suggests.
- In Japanese, the word ニコ is actually a 'gitaigo' word, which means it describes a state or appearance rather than a sound. Even though it is written like a sound effect, a smile is completely silent.
- Japanese has distinct onomatopoeias for different types of smiles, such as にやにや for a smirk or a grin, which differs from the pure and gentle nature of ニコ.
Examples in context
- はじめまして、私の名前はニコです。Nice to meet you, my name is Niko.
- おい、にこ！一緒に昼ごはんを食べに行こう！Hey, Niko! Let's go grab lunch together!
- 彼女はニコと笑った。Kanojo wa niko to waratta.She smiled gently.
- 赤ちゃんがニコと笑っています。Akachan ga niko to waratte imasu.The baby is smiling sweetly.
- 彼はニコニコと笑っている。Kare wa nikoniko to waratte iru.He is smiling brightly.
Example conversation
Daishō and Himari are taking a selfie together.
- 大翔 Hiroto準備はいい？Junbi wa ii?Are you ready?
- 陽葵 Himariうん、いいよ。Un, ii yo.Yeah, I'm ready.
- 大翔 Hirotoじゃあ、二人でニコして！Jaa, futari de niko shite!Okay, now both of you smile!
- 陽葵 Himariはい、チーズ！Hai, chiizu!Say cheese!
