ピカピカ
pikapika
The English word "shiny" is translated into Japanese as ピカピカ (pikapika).
ピカピカ is an onomatopoeic expression used to describe a continuous state of brightness or a light that flashes repetitively. While ピカピカ describes the state of being shiny or sparkling, the formal term 光沢 refers specifically to the shining or lustrous quality of an object.
Meaning: reflecting light (adj)
How does it change in a sentence?
To use ピカピカ as a predicate in a sentence (meaning "is shiny"), you add だ or です after it. To use it as an adjective to modify a noun directly, change it to ピカピカの.
How do you pronounce it?
pikapika
Did you know?
- The world-famous Pokémon Pikachu derives its name from ピカピカ, the sound of a spark, and チュウ, the sound a mouse makes.
- You can use ピカピカ to describe a person who is 'shining' with newness, such as a student who has just graduated or a brand-new employee.
- In Japanese, ピカピカ is an onomatopoeia known as a 'mimetic word' that describes a visual sensation rather than a sound.
Examples in context
- その車はワックスがかけられてピカピカしている。The car is waxed and shiny.This sentence is useful for describing a car that is waxed and shiny using ピカピカ.Tatoeba #209576 by bunbuku, translation #12420124 by CK
- この絵は光沢がありますね。This painting has a shiny finish, doesn't it?
- 彼女の指輪はいつも輝いて見えます。Her ring always looks shiny.
- この車はすごく光っている！This car is shining brilliantly!
- 新しい靴がピカピカしています。Atarashii kutsu ga pikapika shite imasu.The new shoes are shiny.
- 床をピカピカに磨きました。Yuka o pikapika ni migakimashita.I polished the floor until it was shiny.
Example conversation
Two siblings are looking at their clean living room.
- 陽葵 Himari床がピカピカだね！Yuka ga pikapika dane!The floor is shiny!
- 陽太 Yota陽太が一生懸命掃除したんだよ。Youta ga isshokenmei souji shitanda yo.Youta cleaned it very hard.
- 陽葵 Himariすごい、陽太は偉いね。Sugoi, Youta wa erai ne.Wow, Youta is a good boy.
- 陽太 Yotaえへへ、ありがとう。Ehehe, arigatou.Ehehe, thank you.
Sources
- Example sentences: Tatoeba CC BY 2.0 FR.
