Onomatopoeia

Introduction

Japanese has one of the richest onomatopoeia systems in the world. Beyond sound effects (擬音語), there are mimetic words for feelings, textures, and states (擬態語). ドキドキ (heart pounding), モグモグ (munching) — these words make Japanese incredibly vivid.

This chapter covers the onomatopoeia and mimetic words you’ll hear constantly in casual Japanese.

Themes

All Japanese Slang in This Chapter (80)

1. もぐもぐ もぐもぐ The sound and action of munching or chewing food, often used to describe someone eating happily or cutely.
2. ゴロゴロ ごろごろ Lazing around doing nothing; also the sound of rumbling (thunder, stomach) or a cat purring.
3. キラキラ きらきら Sparkling, glittering, or shining brightly. Also used metaphorically for someone radiating positive energy or living a glamorous life.
4. フワフワ ふわふわ Fluffy, soft, light, and airy. Used for textures, foods, and metaphorically for a dreamy or unfocused state of mind.
5. ペコペコ ぺこぺこ Extremely hungry (starving); also describes bowing repeatedly in an obsequious manner.
6. ガツガツ がつがつ Eating greedily or wolfing down food. Also used to describe aggressively pursuing something — money, success, or romantic interests.
7. ジロジロ じろじろ Staring rudely or looking someone up and down in an intrusive way.
8. ニコニコ にこにこ Smiling happily, grinning with genuine warmth and contentment.
9. バタバタ ばたばた Being frantically busy, rushing around in a hectic state. Also imitates flapping or clattering sounds.
10. ダラダラ だらだら Being lazy and unproductive; dragging on endlessly; dripping or sweating profusely.
11. ボーッと ぼーっと Spacing out, zoning out, or staring blankly with an unfocused mind.
12. ウキウキ うきうき Feeling cheerful, excited, and in high spirits — a bubbly, can't-contain-your-happiness feeling.
13. ソワソワ そわそわ Feeling restless, fidgety, or unable to sit still due to anticipation, nervousness, or excitement.
14. メソメソ めそめそ Whimpering, sniffling, or crying weakly in a pitiful or self-pitying way.
15. シクシク しくしく Sobbing or weeping quietly with genuine sadness.
16. ゲラゲラ げらげら Laughing loudly, boisterously, or cackling without restraint.
17. クスクス くすくす Giggling, snickering, or laughing quietly — often behind one's hand or trying to suppress laughter.
18. ニヤニヤ にやにや Smirking, grinning mischievously, or wearing a knowing/creepy smile.
19. プンプン ぷんぷん Being visibly angry or huffy in a cute, pouty way. Also describes a strong smell.
20. カンカン かんかん Furious, fuming mad — a level of anger much more intense than just annoyed.
21. オドオド おどおど Acting nervous, timid, or fearful — visibly lacking confidence in a social situation.
22. ビクビク びくびく Being jumpy, easily startled, or living in constant fear and anxiety.
23. ヘトヘト へとへと Completely exhausted, drained of all energy — utterly spent both physically and mentally.
24. クタクタ くたくた Worn out, dead tired, or physically depleted. Also describes limp, wilted objects.
25. ヨロヨロ よろよろ Staggering, wobbling, or walking unsteadily as if about to fall over.
26. フラフラ ふらふら Feeling dizzy or lightheaded; wandering aimlessly; being unsteady on one's feet.
27. テキパキ てきぱき Handling tasks efficiently, briskly, and decisively — getting things done with no wasted motion.
28. キビキビ きびきび Moving crisply, energetically, and with sharp precision — sprightly and alert.
29. モタモタ もたもた Being slow, clumsy, and fumbling — taking too long to do something simple.
30. グズグズ ぐずぐず Dawdling, procrastinating, or being uselessly indecisive. Also describes a stuffy/runny nose.
31. サクサク さくさく Crunchy texture (like tempura or cookies). Also means progressing smoothly and efficiently.
32. パリパリ ぱりぱり Crispy, crunchy — specifically the stiff, snapping crunch of thin foods like nori, chips, or spring roll wrappers.
33. ネバネバ ねばねば Sticky, slimy, or gooey texture — like natto, okra, yamaimo, or mekabu.
34. トロトロ とろとろ Melty, thick, and creamy — describing rich, smooth textures that melt on the tongue.
35. モチモチ もちもち Chewy, springy, and pleasantly squishy — like mochi, udon, or well-made bread.
36. カリカリ かりかり Crispy with a light crunch — like croutons, rice crackers, or crispy bacon. Also means being irritable.
37. ジュワッと じゅわっと A juicy burst of flavor spreading through the mouth — the sensation of biting into something rich and flavorful.
38. ホカホカ ほかほか Steaming hot and freshly made — the comforting warmth of just-cooked food or a warm body.
39. ヒンヤリ ひんやり Cool and refreshing — a pleasant chilly sensation, like cool air on a hot day or a chilled dessert.
40. ポカポカ ぽかぽか Warm and cozy — the gentle, pleasant warmth of sunshine, a heated room, or inner body warmth.
41. ジメジメ ジメジメ Describes a humid, damp, or clammy atmosphere — the sticky discomfort of moisture hanging in the air.
42. カラカラ カラカラ Describes something bone dry or parched — used for weather, throats, or anything completely dried out.
43. ツルツル ツルツル Describes a smooth, slippery, or glossy surface — from polished floors to silky skin to slurping noodles.
44. ザラザラ ザラザラ Describes a rough, coarse, or gritty texture — the opposite of smooth.
45. ベタベタ ベタベタ Describes something sticky or clingy — from sweaty skin and spilled soda to overly affectionate couples.
46. ヌルヌル ヌルヌル Describes a slimy, slippery texture — and in gaming/tech slang, a buttery smooth framerate.
47. ガタガタ ガタガタ The sound of rattling, shaking, or clattering — also used to mean complaining or whining about something.
48. ギシギシ ギシギシ The creaking or squeaking sound of wood, floors, beds, or other structures under pressure.
49. ガチャガチャ ガチャガチャ A clattering, jangling noise — also the name for capsule toy vending machines.
50. バキバキ バキバキ A cracking or snapping sound — and modern slang for being extremely muscular or ripped.
51. メキメキ メキメキ Making rapid, noticeable progress or improvement — visibly leveling up.
52. グングン グングン Steadily and powerfully advancing, growing, or accelerating — progress with unstoppable momentum.
53. ジワジワ ジワジワ Gradually spreading, slowly intensifying, or something that grows on you over time.
54. ドンドン ドンドン Rapidly, one after another in quick succession — also the sound of heavy banging or drumming.
55. パッと ぱっと Suddenly, in a flash, or in one quick instant — something happening or appearing abruptly.
56. サッと さっと Swiftly and smoothly in one quick motion — doing something efficiently without hesitation.
57. ジッと じっと Staring fixedly without moving, or staying perfectly still — intense focus or patient endurance.
58. チラチラ チラチラ Glancing repeatedly, peeking furtively, or the visual of light snow or light flickering.
59. キョロキョロ キョロキョロ Looking around restlessly, glancing in all directions — often implying nervousness or being lost.
60. ウロウロ ウロウロ Wandering around aimlessly without purpose or direction — loitering or pacing restlessly.
61. ブツブツ ブツブツ Muttering or grumbling under one's breath — also describes a bumpy, pimply texture.
62. ペラペラ ペラペラ Speaking a language fluently — also describes something thin and flimsy like cheap paper or fabric.
63. グダグダ グダグダ Sloppy, dragging on pointlessly, or falling apart in a disorganized mess.
64. ウジウジ ウジウジ Being wishy-washy, indecisive, or brooding over something without taking action.
65. ネチネチ ネチネチ Nagging persistently, being passive-aggressive, or bringing up past mistakes over and over.
66. チクチク チクチク A prickly, stinging sensation — from scratchy sweaters to needle pricks to making subtle verbal jabs.
67. ズキズキ ズキズキ A throbbing, pulsating pain — the kind that beats in rhythm with your heartbeat.
68. ガンガン ガンガン A pounding headache or doing something with full force — going all out without holding back.
69. ムカムカ ムカムカ Feeling nauseous or stomach-sick — and equally common as feeling anger rising in your chest.
70. クラクラ クラクラ Feeling dizzy, lightheaded, or woozy — the world spinning around you.
71. ゲッソリ ゲッソリ Looking haggard, gaunt, or visibly drained — having lost weight or vitality from exhaustion, illness, or stress.
72. スッキリ スッキリ Feeling refreshed, clear-headed, and clean — the satisfying feeling after resolving something or clearing away clutter.
73. シャキッと しゃきっと Crisp, alert, and pulled together — snapping to attention or having a sharp, fresh quality.
74. グッタリ グッタリ Completely drained, limp, and exhausted — having zero energy left, like a deflated balloon.
75. ぐちゃぐちゃ ぐちゃぐちゃ A complete mess — things jumbled together, mushed up, or in total disarray.
76. ピカピカ ピカピカ Sparkling, shiny, or gleaming — describes something polished clean or brand new.
77. モヤモヤ モヤモヤ A hazy, unsettled feeling — vague frustration, unease, or foggy confusion that you can't quite put into words.
78. アタフタ アタフタ Flustered and rushing around in a panic — the frantic scramble when you're caught off guard.
79. オロオロ オロオロ Bewildered and helpless — standing around not knowing what to do in a crisis or confusing situation.
80. ゾクゾク ゾクゾク Thrilling shivers running down your spine — from excitement, cold, fear, or anticipation.