How to Say "Waku Waku" in Japanese

わくわく

wakuwaku

In Japanese, わくわく (wakuwaku) is used to express the English phrase "waku waku," describing a feeling of excitement and anticipation.

How does it change in a sentence?

To use わくわく as a verb meaning "to be excited" or "to feel waku waku," you add the verb する to the end to form わくわくする.

wakuwaku

The root verb わく can also mean 'to boil up' or 'to gush forth' in the context of hot springs. This suggests the excitement of わくわく is akin to something bubbling up from within.
In manga, わくわく is often written as a floating sound effect near a character's head. This visually signals an internal emotional state to the reader rather than a noise the character is making.
The phrase わくわく is a type of ideophone, a category of words that describe abstract feelings rather than actual sounds. While English onomatopoeia usually mimics noises like 'bang', Japanese uses these words to paint a picture of an emotion.

彼女の言葉を聞いた時、わくわく感が込み上げてきた。
When I heard her words, a feeling of excitement welled up within me.
明日の旅行が楽しみでワクワクしています！
I'm excited and looking forward to tomorrow's trip!
新しいゲームを待つ間、ずっとわくわくしています。
Atarashii geemu o matsu aida, zutto wakuwaku shite imasu.
I have been excited while waiting for the new game.
プレゼントを開ける時はわくわくするね。
Purezento o akeru toki wa wakuwaku suru ne.
It is exciting when opening presents, isn't it?

Two friends are talking about an upcoming theme park visit.

陽太 Yota

明日、遊園地に行くからわくわくするね！
Ashita, yuuenchi ni iku kara wakuwaku suru ne!
I'm so excited because we're going to the amusement park tomorrow!
美咲 Misaki

うん、陽太くんと一緒にいけるのが楽しみだよ。
Un, Youta-kun to issho ni ikeru no ga tanoshimi da yo.
Yeah, I'm looking forward to going with you, Youta.
陽太 Yota

美咲さんもわくわくしている？
Misaki-san mo wakuwaku shite iru?
Are you excited too, Misaki?
美咲 Misaki

もちろんだよ、待ちきれないよ！
Mochiron da yo, machikirenai yo!
Of course, I can't wait!

Sources

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