ピカチュウ
Pikachū[pʲika̠t͡ɕɨː]
ピカチュウ (Pikachū) is the Japanese way to say Pikachu, the name of the Pokémon.
Meaning: Pokémon (name)
What does it mean word for word?
The name is an onomatopoeic construction. ピカ (pika) represents the sound of a bright flash or spark, while the second part, チュウ (chū), mimics the squeaking sound of a mouse.
How do you pronounce it?
Pikachū
Did you know?
- The チュウ in ピカチュウ mimics the specific sound a mouse makes in Japanese culture, which differs from the 'squeak' used in English.
- In Japanese, onomatopoeia is so central to the language that the name ピカチュウ is an example of 'mimetic' words used to describe both sounds and visual states.
- Despite the phonetic similarity, the name ピカチュウ has no linguistic connection to the 'pika', a small mountain mammal found in South America.
Examples in context
- トムはピカチュウの枕を持っている。Tom has a Pikachu pillow.This sentence is useful for showing how to use ピカチュウ when describing an object like a pillow.Tatoeba #2774375 by tommy_san, translation #2774138 by Hybrid
- ピカチュウはとてもかわいいです。Pikachū wa totemo kawaii desu.Pikachu is very cute.
- 子供たちはピカチュウが好きです。Kodomotachi wa Pikachū ga suki desu.Children like Pikachu.
- 1 more sentence on Tatoeba
Example conversation
Youta and Himari are looking at a toy store window.
- 陽太 Yota見て、ピカチュウがいるよ！Mite, Pikachuu ga iru yo!Look, there's a Pikachu!
- 陽葵 Himari本当だ！すごくかわいいね。Hontou da! Sugoku kawaii ne.You're right! It's so cute.
- 陽太 Yotaこれを買っていいかな？Kore o katte ii kana?I wonder if I can buy this?
- 陽葵 Himariお父さんに聞いてみて。Otousan ni kiite mite.Try asking your father.
Sources
- Wiktionary, “pikachu” translations and entries ピカチュウ, CC BY-SA 4.0, dump of 2026-09-26.
- Word origins: Wiktionary entries ピカチュウ, CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
