Japanese Onomatopoeia for Beginners: Fun and Essential Sounds to Know

What Is Onomatopoeia in Japanese?

If you’ve started learning Japanese, you might have noticed words that “sound” like the feeling they describe — words such as dokidoki, kirakira, or wanwan. These are called onomatopoeia (オノマトペ), and they’re everywhere in daily Japanese!

Unlike English, which uses sound words mostly for noises (like buzz or bang), Japanese onomatopoeia covers a much wider range — sounds, feelings, actions, even silence. That’s why they’re often called “sound-symbolic words.”

Learning them helps you sound more natural, expressive, and, most importantly, connected to how Japanese people think and feel.

Why Learning Onomatopoeia Matters

Japanese people use onomatopoeia constantly — in conversation, anime, manga, and even in advertising. You’ll hear them in cafés, classrooms, and TV shows.

They give your speech warmth and colour. Instead of saying “I’m nervous,” you can say dokidoki suru (my heart is pounding). Instead of “I’m excited,” you can say wakuwaku suru (I feel thrilled). These words carry emotion that translations often miss.

Mastering a few key onomatopoeia can instantly make your Japanese sound more natural and friendly — it’s one of the fastest ways to “sound Japanese.”

Types of Japanese Onomatopoeia

There are four main types you’ll encounter, each describing a different aspect of experience.

1. Giongo (擬音語) – Sound words

Words that imitate actual sounds.

• wanwan – a dog barking

• zaa-zaa – heavy rain

• pika-pika – something shiny

🖼️wanwan(ワンワン) – a dog barking

2. Gitaigo (擬態語) – Words describing states or manners

These describe situations or appearances rather than real sounds.

• kirakira – sparkling

• guruguru – feeling dizzy / my head is spinning

• sarasara – smooth, silky

🖼️guruguru(グルグル) – feeling dizzy

3. Giyougo (擬容語) – Words describing movements or actions

They express how an action happens.

• nikoniko – smiling happily

• gorogoro – lounging or rolling around

• batabata – flapping or rushing noisily

🖼️gorogoro(ゴロゴロ) – lounging or rolling around

4. Gijougo (擬情語) – Words describing emotions

They convey inner feelings.

• dokidoki – heart pounding (nervous/excited)

• wakuwaku – excited and eager

• iraira – irritated

🖼️wakuwaku(ワクワク) – excited and eager

Japanese learners often mix these categories, but don’t worry — context usually tells you which one it is!

Essential Onomatopoeia for Beginners

Here are some everyday expressions that are fun, useful, and easy to remember.

Japanese	Meaning	Example Sentence
ドキドキ (dokidoki)	Nervous or excited	明日のデートがドキドキする。(Ashita no deeto ga dokidoki suru.) – I’m excited for tomorrow’s date.
ワクワク (wakuwaku)	Excited, looking forward to	旅行の前はいつもワクワクする。– I always get excited before a trip.
キラキラ (kirakira)	Sparkling, glittering	夜の街がキラキラ光っている。– The city lights are sparkling at night.
ゴロゴロ (gorogoro)	Lounging, rolling, or rumbling	日曜日は家でゴロゴロする。– I like to relax at home on Sundays.
ニコニコ (nikoniko)	Smiling cheerfully	子どもがニコニコ笑っている。– The child is smiling happily.
バタバタ (batabata)	Rushing around, flapping	朝はいつもバタバタしている。– Mornings are always hectic.
ザーザー (zaa-zaa)	Heavy rain sound	外はザーザー雨が降っている。– It’s raining heavily outside.
イライラ (iraira)	Irritated, annoyed	渋滞でイライラした。– I got irritated in the traffic.

Try reading them aloud — the rhythm helps you remember!

How to Use Onomatopoeia Naturally

Using onomatopoeia is easy once you know the pattern. Many are used with the verb suru (to do), like dokidoki suruor wakuwaku suru.Others modify verbs directly, like nikoniko warau (to smile brightly).

A simple trick:➡ If it describes a feeling or emotion, use suru.➡ If it describes a manner or action, combine it with a verb.

It’s perfectly fine to sprinkle one or two in a conversation — Japanese people do it all the time!

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

• Using too many at once. Keep it natural — one per sentence is usually enough.

• Translating directly. Some don’t have English equivalents; focus on the feeling instead of the literal translation.

• Forgetting context. Gorogoro can mean relaxing or thunder rumbling — context matters!

The best way to learn is by listening carefully to how native speakers use them in anime, TV, and everyday talk.

Fun Ways to Learn and Remember

• Watch anime or dramas. Listen for recurring sound words — you’ll hear dokidoki, wakuwaku, and pika-pikaoften.

• Use flashcards or apps. Pair the sound with a visual image to make it stick.

• Practice with friends or teachers. Try describing your feelings using onomatopoeia instead of English.

The more you hear and use them, the more natural they’ll feel.

Conclusion

Japanese onomatopoeia add life and colour to the language. They express emotions, textures, and sounds in a way that words alone can’t capture.

So don’t be shy — have fun experimenting with them in your conversations!You’ll soon find that saying dokidoki or wakuwaku feels just as natural as it sounds.

To make your Japanese more expressive, try our Online Japanese Lessons or In-person Japanese Lessons.If you’re preparing for a trip to Japan, our Japanese for Travel course is a great place to start learning naturally.