{"id":106444,"date":"2023-11-14T06:39:21","date_gmt":"2023-11-14T11:39:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/learn\/gitaigo\/"},"modified":"2025-02-26T04:36:16","modified_gmt":"2025-02-26T09:36:16","slug":"gitaigo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.fluentu.com\/blog\/japanese\/gitaigo\/","title":{"rendered":"10 Gitaigo You Need to Add to Your Japanese Vocabulary"},"content":{"rendered":"

Ever wondered what your Japanese friend meant when they said that \u7dda\u9999\u82b1\u706b (\u305b\u3093\u3053\u3046\u306f\u306a\u3073) \u2014 handheld fireworks were kira kira<\/em>? That expression is an example of gitaigo <\/em>or \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e (\u304e\u305f\u3044\u3054) \u2014 onomatopoeic expressions that are uniquely Japanese.<\/p>\n

Unlike general Japanese onomatopoeia<\/a> which conveys sounds, \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e defines some things that we can all relate to, such as actions, states and human emotions. Let’s cover a handful of these expressions, and see just how cool they can be.<\/p>\n

[fluentu-toc]<\/p>\n

<\/p>\n

1. \u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad (\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d) \u2014 Doki Doki<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Form to use:\u00a0\u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad\u3059\u308b (\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d\u3059\u308b)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Meet \u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad, a.k.a. my all-time favorite. This expression tries to capture the sound of your heart pulsing, beating, pounding or throbbing.<\/p>\n

Use this to describe anything you’re feeling in your heart\u2014from the slightest excitement to the heaviest palpitations caused by love, fear, joy or surprise (i.e., anything that makes your heart jump).<\/p>\n

Got butterflies in your stomach after you finally managed to arrange a date<\/a> by texting in Japanese? \u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u308b\u306d\u3002 (\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u308b\u306d\u3002) \u2014 How exciting, right?<\/p>\n

Is your first Japanese job interview<\/a> (and half an hour of honorifics<\/a>) coming right up? \u3082\u3061\u308d\u3093\u3001\u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3082\u3061\u308d\u3093\u3001\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 Of course, you’re stressed out.<\/p>\n

Going back home for the holidays after a year abroad (and can’t wait for your Mom’s cooking)? \u305d\u308c\u306f\u307f\u3093\u306a\u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u308b\u3093\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044\uff1f (\u305d\u308c\u306f\u307f\u3093\u306a\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u308b\u3093\u3058\u3083\u306a\u3044\uff1f) \u2014 Wouldn’t anybody be excited?<\/p>\n

Heard somebody walking behind you at night in a dark street? \u30c9\u30ad\u30c9\u30ad<\/strong>\u3057\u305f\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002 (\u3069\u304d\u3069\u304d<\/strong>\u3057\u305f\u3067\u3057\u3087\u3046\u3002) \u2014 It must have been scary.<\/p>\n

2. \u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea (\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a) \u2014 Giri Giri<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Forms to use:<\/p>\n

\u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea\u3060 (\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a \u3060)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea\u3067\u3059 (\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a\u3067\u3059)<\/strong><\/p>\n

This one belongs to a different category and is used to refer to something that happens within the shortest limit possible.<\/p>\n

You met the deadline with only 5 minutes left? \u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea<\/strong>\u3060\u3063\u305f\u3088\u306d\u3002 (\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a<\/strong>\u3060\u3063\u305f\u3088\u306d\u3002) \u2014 That was close!<\/p>\n

Someone parked a car beside yours so you can’t open the door without bumping into them? \u305d\u308c\u306f\u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea<\/strong>\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002 (\u305d\u308c\u306f\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a<\/strong>\u3067\u3057\u305f\u3002) \u2014 They made it by a hair.<\/p>\n

You can barely afford this trip with your friends? \u9811\u5f35\u3063\u305f\u3089\u3001\u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea<\/strong>\u3067\u884c\u3051\u308b\u304b\u306a\u3002 (\u304c\u3093\u3070\u3063\u305f\u3089\u3001\u304e\u308a\u304e\u308a<\/strong>\u3067 \u3044\u3051\u308b\u304b\u306a\u3002) If you work hard, maybe you can make just enough so you can go.<\/p>\n

Space, time, emotion\u2014everything can be \u30ae\u30ea\u30ae\u30ea\u3002<\/p>\n

3. \u30d0\u30bf\u30d0\u30bf (\u3070\u305f\u3070\u305f) \u2014 Bata Bata<\/h2>\n

\"woman-wearing-black-tightfitting-clothes-and-yellow-cape-holding-black-flag-on-edge-of-boat\"<\/p>\n

Form to\u00a0use:\u00a0\u30d0\u30bf\u30d0\u30bf\u3059\u308b (\u3070\u305f\u3070\u305f\u3059\u308b)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30d0\u30bf\u30d0\u30bf can be used as a regular onomatopoeia to describe things like the sound of a flag flapping in the wind or heavy footsteps. It can also refer to a state of inner agitation.<\/p>\n

Are you in a rush to finish something and multitasking like crazy? \u9593\u9055\u3044\u306a\u304f\u3001\u30d0\u30bf\u30d0\u30bf<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306d\u3002 (\u307e\u3061\u304c\u3044\u306a\u304f\u3001\u3070\u305f\u3070\u305f<\/strong> \u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u306d\u3002) \u2014 No doubt, you’re running around.<\/p>\n

Feeling impatient and overwhelmed by all that’s left to accomplish to make your wedding day perfect? \u78ba\u304b\u306b\u3001\u30d0\u30bf\u30d0\u30bf<\/strong>\u3057\u305d\u3046\u3060\u305e\u3002 (\u305f\u3057\u304b\u306b\u3001\u3070\u305f\u3070\u305f<\/strong> \u3057\u305d\u3046\u3060\u305e\u3002) \u2014 You must be so busy and bothered.<\/p>\n

4. \u30cb\u30b3\u30cb\u30b3 (\u306b\u3053\u306b\u3053) \u2014 Niko Niko<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Form to\u00a0use:\u00a0\u30cb\u30b3\u30cb\u30b3\u3059\u308b (\u306b\u3053\u306b\u3053\u3059\u308b)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30cb\u30b3\u30cb\u30b3 refers to a genuine, innocent and truly happy smile or laugh. Note that it doesn’t include grinning, sneering or anything negative.<\/p>\n

Smiling? \u5f7c\u5973\u306f\u30cb\u30b3\u30cb\u30b3<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002 (\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087\u306f\u306b\u3053\u306b\u3053<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002) \u2014 She is smiling.<\/p>\n

5. \u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9 (\u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089) \u2014 Kira Kira<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Forms to use:<\/p>\n

\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9\u3059\u308b (\u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089 \u3059\u308b)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9\u3068 \uff0bVerb (\u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089 \u3068\uff0bVerb)<\/strong><\/p>\n

In the kingdom of \u304b\u308f\u3044\u3044 (cute<\/a>) and girly, you ought to remember \u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9\u3002<\/p>\n

Use it for anything that’s twinkling, glistening or glittering\u2014like sparkly colors, shiny beads, bright sequins and metallic anything.<\/p>\n

\u5f7c\u5973\u306e\u30d1\u30fc\u30c6\u30a3\u30fc\u30ef\u30f3\u30d4\u30fc\u30b9\u304c\u3059\u3054\u304f\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3088\u306d\u3002 (\u304b\u306e\u3058\u3087\u306e \u3071\u30fc\u3066\u3043\u30fc\u308f\u3093\u3074\u30fc\u3059\u304c \u3059\u3054\u304f \u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089<\/strong> \u3057\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3088\u306d\u3002) \u2014 Isn’t her dress incredibly sparkly?<\/p>\n

\u591c\u4e2d\u306e\u661f\u306f\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9<\/strong>\u8f1d\u3044\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002 (\u3088\u306a\u304b\u306e \u307b\u3057\u306f \u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089<\/strong> \u304b\u304c\u3084\u3044\u3066\u3044\u307e\u3059\u3002) \u2014 The stars are twinkling in the midnight sky.<\/p>\n

\u30af\u30ea\u30b9\u30de\u30b9\u306e\u98fe\u308a\u306f\u30ad\u30e9\u30ad\u30e9<\/strong>\u5149\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002 (\u304f\u308a\u3059\u307e\u3059\u306e \u304b\u3056\u308a\u306f \u304d\u3089\u304d\u3089<\/strong> \u3072\u304b\u3063\u3066\u3044\u308b\u3002) \u2014 Christmas decorations are glistening.<\/p>\n

6. \u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef (\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f) \u2014 Fuwa Fuwa<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Forms to\u00a0use:<\/p>\n

\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef\u3059\u308b (\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f\u3059\u308b)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef\u3068 (\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f\u3068)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef\u3060 (\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f\u3060)<\/strong><\/p>\n

Okay, I’m gonna cheat a little and add another expression I love which is somewhat close to \u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef:\u00a0\u30e2\u30b3\u30e2\u30b3 (\u3082\u3053\u3082\u3053)\u3002\u00a0\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef means either fluffy and furry or floating.<\/p>\n

\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef<\/strong>\u3057\u305f\u96f2 (\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f<\/strong>\u3057\u305f \u304f\u3082) \u2014 Fluffy clouds<\/p>\n

\u3053\u306e\u732b\u3001\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef<\/strong>\u3060\u306d\u3002\u00a0 (\u3053\u306e\u306d\u3053\u3001\u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f<\/strong> \u3060\u306d\u3002) \u2014 This cat is so furry.<\/p>\n

In both of the above sentences, the phrase implies a smooth sensation. Now, let’s see how it’s used to mean “floating”:<\/p>\n

\u98a8\u8239\u306f\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef<\/strong>\u3068\u98db\u3093\u3067\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3002 (\u3075\u3046\u305b\u3093\u306f \u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f<\/strong>\u3068 \u3068\u3093\u3067\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3002) \u2014 The balloon went away floating.<\/p>\n

It could also be used to express being lighthearted and incapable of focusing\u2014that is, your mind is “floating” somewhere else.<\/p>\n

\u6b21\u306e\u4f11\u307f\u3092\u8003\u3048\u305f\u3089\u3001\u5fc3\u304c\u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef<\/strong>\u3057\u3066\u3001\u4ed5\u4e8b\u306b\u96c6\u4e2d\u3067\u304d\u306a\u304f\u306a\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3002 (\u3064\u304e\u306e \u3084\u3059\u307f\u3092\u304b\u3093\u304c\u3048\u305f\u3089\u3001\u3053\u3053\u308d\u304c \u3075\u308f\u3075\u308f<\/strong> \u3057\u3066\u3001\u3057\u3054\u3068\u306b \u3057\u3085\u3046\u3061\u3085\u3046\u3067\u304d\u306a\u304f\u306a\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3002) I was so lighthearted when thinking of my next holidays that I couldn’t concentrate on my work.<\/p>\n

As for \u30e2\u30b3\u30e2\u30b3, it means furry, but furrier than \u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef\u3002Fleece could be \u30d5\u30ef\u30d5\u30ef, but not \u30e2\u30b3\u30e2\u30b3\u3002<\/p>\n

7. \u30dc\u30ed\u30dc\u30ed (\u307c\u308d\u307c\u308d) \u2014 Boro Boro<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Forms to\u00a0use:<\/p>\n

\u30dc\u30ed\u30dc\u30ed\u3060 (\u307c\u308d\u307c\u308d\u3060)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30dc\u30ed\u30dc\u30ed\u3067\u3059 (\u307c\u308d\u307c\u308d\u3067\u3059)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30dc\u30ed\u30dc\u30ed is for anything broken, tattered, crumbled, ragged or otherwise heavily damaged\u2014like your favorite shoes that you really<\/em> ought to retire but can’t because of sentimental reasons.<\/p>\n

8. \u30d9\u30c8\u30d9\u30c8 (\u3079\u3068\u3079\u3068) \u2014 Beto Beto<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Forms to\u00a0use:<\/p>\n

\u30d9\u30c8\u30d9\u30c8\u3059\u308b <\/strong>(\u3079\u3068\u3079\u3068 \u3059\u308b)<\/p>\n

\u30d9\u30c8\u30d9\u30c8\u306b\u306a\u308b <\/strong>(\u3079\u3068\u3079\u3068\u306b\u306a\u308b)<\/p>\n

\u30d9\u30c8\u30d9\u30c8 means sticky. Could it be easier than that?<\/p>\n

9.\u30d4\u30ea\u30d4\u30ea (\u3074\u308a\u3074\u308a) \u2014 Piri Piri<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

\u30d4\u30ea\u30d4\u30eais for stinging or tingling sensations caused by spicy food and\/or a burning mouth.<\/p>\n

It has to be a diffused sensation, though. If something prickles (like needles or pins), then it’s\u00a0\u30c1\u30af\u30c1\u30af (\u3061\u304f\u3061\u304f).<\/p>\n

10.\u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed (\u3053\u308d\u3053\u308d) \u2014 Koro Koro<\/h2>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Form to use:\u00a0\u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed\u3068 (\u3053\u308d\u3053\u308d\u3068)<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed is mostly used as an adverb to describe a rolling motion. It’s also what those extremely useful sticky lint rollers<\/a> are called in Japanese. Anything rolling on a surface can qualify as \u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30edup until it reaches a certain size. For example, cars don’t go \u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed in an accident.<\/p>\n

Did you drop an apple that rolled all across your kitchen floor? \u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed<\/strong>\u3068\u8ee2\u304c\u3063\u3066\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3002 (\u3053\u308d\u3053\u308d<\/strong>\u3068 \u3053\u308d\u304c\u3063\u3066\u3044\u3063\u305f\u3002) \u2014 It rolled away.<\/p>\n

Is the snow rolling down and shaping into a snowball? \u30b3\u30ed\u30b3\u30ed<\/strong>\u3068\u4e38\u304f\u306a\u3063\u3066\u8ee2\u304c\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3088\u3002 (\u3053\u308d\u3053\u308d<\/strong>\u3068 \u307e\u308b\u304f\u306a\u3063\u3066 \u3053\u308d\u304c\u3063\u3066\u304d\u305f\u3088\u3002) \u2014 It came down rolling into a ball.<\/p>\n

Why Use Gitaigo?<\/h2>\n

Whenever you express a feeling or describe an action, chances are there’s a \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e corresponding to the message you’re trying to convey.<\/p>\n

Native Japanese speakers have a highly intuitive relationship with onomatopoeic expressions. In my experience, they usually won’t be able to explain one to you\u2014except by using another similar phrase which is likely to remain as obscure to you as the first one.<\/p>\n

For example, I once had a conversation with a Japanese-speaking friend that went like this:<\/p>\n

\u300c\u30b9\u30d9\u30b9\u30d9\u300d\u3063\u3066\u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046\u610f\u5473\uff1f (\u300c\u3059\u3079\u3059\u3079\u300d\u3063\u3066 \u3069\u3046\u3044\u3046 \u3044\u307f\uff1f) \u2014 What does “sube sube” mean?<\/p>\n

\u300c\u30b9\u30d9\u30b9\u30d9\u300d\u306f\u306d\uff0e\uff0e\uff0e\u300c\u30c4\u30eb\u30c4\u30eb\u300d\u3068\u4e00\u7dd2\u3060\u3088\u3002(\u300c\u3059\u3079\u3059\u3079\u300d\u306f\u306d\uff0e\uff0e\uff0e\u300c\u3064\u308b\u3064\u308b\u300d\u3068 \u3044\u3063\u3057\u3087 \u3060\u3088\u3002) \u2014 “Sube sube”… ? Same as “tsuru tsuru.”<\/p>\n

As you can imagine, I still had no idea what the first one meant, and on top of that, I (accidentally) learned another one I didn’t understand either. Later, I would learn that both of these expressions are used to describe a smooth and soft surface like fabric, skin, etc.<\/p>\n

I also remember having a hard time at the dentist’s office when he asked me to choose from a list of 10 onomatopoeic expressions to describe pain. Of course, if you don’t know those, you can always fall back on medical vocabulary<\/a>.<\/p>\n

But, as you can see, knowing \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e is essential to being able to communicate in Japanese beyond the stiff language used in textbooks. It’ll make your vocabulary<\/a> so much more colorful\u2014and yes, it’s fun to finally put that indescribable feeling or action into words!<\/p>\n

You may not need to drop \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e everywhere, but when properly utilized, these expressions allow you to get straight to the point where you’d otherwise need to make a long sentence revolving around the concept. Do you really want to bother drafting a long sentence when you could use a four-syllable phrase? Nay, right?<\/p>\n

How to Use and Practice Gitaigo<\/h2>\n

Now that you have a bunch of fundamental expressions, be brave and use them. You’ll be stunned to realize that when you’re paying attention, those \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e seem to be coming up all the time, so you’ll quickly increase your\u00a0munitions.<\/p>\n

You could actually stuff lots of \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e in one sentence, combine them with verbs<\/a>, place them as adverbs<\/a> and tell entire stories with them\u2014as long as you’re careful to use them with proper grammatical forms<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Besides, since these expressions are meant to put very precise emotions or determined actions into words, you need to make sure you’ve chosen the right ones for what you mean.<\/p>\n

So, is there any foolproof method to do all this with \u64ec\u614b\u8a9e? Sure!<\/p>\n