How to Say "Peekaboo" in Japanese

いないいないばあ

inaiinaibā[ina̠iːna̠iba̠ː]

Peekaboo in Japanese is いないいないばあ (inaiinaibā).

いないいないばあ is the noun used for the game of peekaboo played with small children.

Meaning: game for small children (noun)

What does it mean word for word?

The phrase is composed of inai inai (not there, not there) and ばあ (an onomatopoeic sound for the sudden appearance or reveal).

inaiinaibā

The word いない (inai) is a specific form of the verb 'to exist' used only for living things. If a child were hiding a toy instead of themselves, a different verb would be used.
The phrase いないいないばあ is so iconic that it is frequently used in Japanese pop songs and children's media to evoke a feeling of nostalgia and childhood safety.
In Japanese culture, the repetition of いない (inai) creates a rhythmic chant that helps infants develop a sense of object permanence.

うちの赤ちゃんは、僕がいないいないばあをするとすぐに泣きやむんだ。
When I play peekaboo with my baby, he stops crying immediately.
This sentence shows how using いないいないばあ can help a baby stop crying.
Tatoeba #1245256 by bunbuku, translation #2609587 by WestofEden
もっといないいないばあをしてあげたい。
Motto inai inai baa o shite agetai.
I want to play peekaboo with them more.

Himari and Kenta are playing with a baby.

陽葵 Himari

いないいないばあ！
Inai inai baa!
Peekaboo!
健太 Kenta

あはは、赤ちゃんが喜んでいるね。
Ahaha, akachan ga yorokonde iru ne.
Hahaha, the baby is happy.
陽葵 Himari

いないいないばあが大好きみたい。
Inai inai baa ga daisuki mitai.
It seems like they love peekaboo.
健太 Kenta

もう一回やってあげて。
Mou ikkai yatte agete.
Do it one more time for them.

Sources

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