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onowords – Japanese Sound Expressions

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Word type: Gitaigo(擬態語)

Japanese mimetic words that describe states, conditions, or behaviors without referring to real sounds.

hyoi(ヒョイ)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★☆☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

hyoi describes a light, quick, and effortless motion, often involving lifting, dodging, or shifting position with minimal exertion.

peta-n(ペタン)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★☆☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

peta-n describes a light, flat, and sudden contact or settling motion, often used when something soft or flexible collapses, sits down, or sticks lightly to a surface.

peko-peko(ペコペコ)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

1. Being extremely hungry

moko-moko(モコモコ)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★☆☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

moko-moko describes something that appears soft, fluffy, and thickly padded.

pyon(ピョン)
Giongo(擬音語), Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

pyon describes a light jumping or hopping motion, especially the quick upward movement made by small animals.

para-para(パラパラ)
Giongo(擬音語), Gitaigo(擬態語)★★☆☆☆Natural Phenomena

para-para describes light, scattered drops falling in quick, irregular succession.

mochi-mochi(モチモチ)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

mochi-mochi describes a soft, elastic, and pleasantly chewy texture.

shiwa-shiwa(シワシワ)
Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

shiwa-shiwa describes a wrinkled, creased, or crumpled appearance, typically of fabric, paper, skin, or objects that have lost smoothness.

paki-paki(パキパキ)
Giongo(擬音語), Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★☆☆Physical Movement / Sound

paki-paki describes sharp, crisp cracking or snapping sounds produced when something stiff or brittle bends, breaks, or moves.

gotsu-gotsu(ゴツゴツ)
Giongo(擬音語), Gitaigo(擬態語)★★★★☆Physical Movement / Sound

gotsu-gotsu describes a series of firm, repeated impacts or a rough, uneven texture associated with hard surfaces.

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