Japanese Words That Sound Like… Well, Sound! (Part 2)
In Part 1, (linkar o part 1) we explored sounds related to food and daily life. Now, let’s dive into even more interesting Japanese words that mimic sounds, movements, and even feelings!
1. Pika-pika (ピカピカ)
The sound of shining or sparkling
When something is super shiny and polished, like freshly cleaned floors or a new car, it’s pika-pika!
🗣️ “Look at my shoes! They’re pika-pika after polishing!”
💡 Fun fact: Ever wondered why Pikachu’s name starts with “Pika”?
It’s because of this word—his lightning sparkles! ⚡
2. Kira-kira (キラキラ)
The sound of sparkling
Things that shine, glitter, or twinkle—like stars, jewellery, or even excited eyes—are described as kira-kira.
🗣️ “The ocean at sunset was so kira-kira!”
💡 Fun fact: The term “kira-kira name” (キラキラネーム) refers to unique or flashy baby names in Japan!
3. Biri-biri (ビリビリ)
The sound of electric shock
That tingling, zapping feeling when you get a small electric shock or a static zap? That’s biri-biri! It can also describe something tearing apart.
🗣️ “I touched the doorknob and got a biri-biri shock!”
4. Niko-niko (ニコニコ)
The sound of smiling
This cute word represents a happy, smiling face! Unlike “haha” or “lol,” which represent laughter, niko-niko is used to describe someone who’s grinning cheerfully.
🗣️ “She was niko-niko all day after getting good news!”
5. Doki-doki (ドキドキ) – The sound of a racing heart
Feeling excited, nervous, or thrilled? The thumping heartbeat you feel is doki-doki!
🗣️ “My heart went doki-doki before my big speech!”
This word is used a lot in romance anime and manga when characters feel shy or flustered!
6. Pera-pera (ペラペラ)
The sound of fluency
If someone speaks fluently and smoothly, especially in a foreign language, they’re pera-pera!
🗣️ “Wow, your Japanese is pera-pera!”
It can also be used for thin, flimsy things, like light fabric or paper.
7. Pachi-pachi (パチパチ)
The sound of clapping or crackling
This word represents clapping sounds (like applause) or the crackling of a fire.
🗣️ “Everyone went pachi-pachi after the amazing performance!”
It can also describe sparkling eyes when someone is excited!
Which of these words is your favourite?
Japanese onomatopoeia adds so much personality to the language! Did any of these words surprise you? Let us know in the comments!
Want a Part 3? There are still more fun Japanese sound words to explore! 🚀
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