Ways to say it
| Japanese | Romanization (Wiktionary) | IPA |
|---|---|---|
| オノマトペ | onomatope | [o̞no̞ma̠to̞pe̞] (narrow) |
| 擬音語 | giongo | [ɡʲiõ̞ŋɡo̞] (narrow) |
| 擬声語 | giseigo | [ɡʲise̞ːɡo̞] (narrow) |
| 擬態語 | gitaigo | [ɡʲita̠iɡo̞] (narrow) |
Japanese uses several terms for words that mimic sounds or states. The broad, collective category for all such words is オノマトペ. Specific types of mimicry are categorized into three distinct groups: words for inanimate sounds, words for voices and words for states or appearances.
What does it mean word for word?
The specific terms for these categories can be broken down as follows: * 擬音語 (giongo) is a 'mimicking sound word'. * 擬声語 (giseigo) is a 'mimicking voice word'. * 擬態語 (gitaigo) is a 'mimicking state/appearance word'.
Which one should you use?
These terms are used to distinguish what is being mimicked: * 擬音語 refers to actual sounds, such as a bell ringing. * 擬声語 specifically refers to human or animal vocalizations, such as a dog barking. * 擬態語 describes states, textures or movements that do not make an actual sound, such as 'shimmering' or 'silently walking'.
How do you pronounce it?
onomatope
Did you know?
- The category of 擬態語 is so vast that it includes words for psychological states, such as the feeling of a heart pounding or the sensation of being confused, which would not be considered onomatopoeia in English.
- The word オノマトペ is a loanword from the French 'onomatopée' rather than the English 'onomatopoeia'.
- Japanese comic books and manga rely so heavily on 擬音語 and 擬態語 that they often function as a primary way to convey atmosphere or emotion without using any dialogue.
Examples in context
- 日本語には面白いオノマトペがたくさんあります。Nihongo ni wa omoshiroi onomatope ga takusan arimasu.There are many interesting onomatopoeic words in Japanese.
- このオノマトペの意味を教えてください。Kono onomatope no imi o oshiete kudasai.Please tell me the meaning of this onomatopoeia.
- オノマトペを使うと表現が豊かになります。Onomatope o tsukau to hyōgen ga yutaka ni narimasu.Using onomatopoeia makes your expressions much richer.
Example conversation
Two friends are studying Japanese vocabulary together.
- 健太 Kentaこのオノマトペは、どうやって使うのですか？Kono onomatope wa, dō yatte tsukau no desu ka?How do you use this onomatopoeia?
- 美咲 Misaki音を表すオノマトペは、とても便利ですよ。Oto o arawasu onomatope wa, totemo benri desu yo.Onomatopoeia that represents sounds is very useful.
- 健太 Kenta美咲さんは、オノマトペをよく使いますね。Misaki-san wa, onomatope o yoku tsukaimasu ne.Misaki, you use onomatopoeia often, don't you?
- 美咲 Misakiはい、会話がもっと楽しくなります。Hai, kaiwa ga motto tanoshiku narimasu.Yes, it makes conversation more fun.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “onomatopoeia” translations and entries オノマトペ, 擬音語, 擬声語, 擬態語, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries オノマトペ, 擬態語, 擬音語, CC BY-SA 4.0.
