Giongo and gitaigo (Japanese mimetics) 擬音語・擬態語

giongo, gitaigo · from Japanese

What are giongo and gitaigo?

Giongo are Japanese words imitating sounds, and gitaigo are mimetic words depicting states, movements or feelings that make no sound.

Japanese has thousands of these sound-symbolic words, often reduplicated, and uses them in everyday adult speech, not only for children. Gitaigo can describe a sparkling surface, a pounding heart or fluent speech. They are essential for understanding manga and natural conversation.

Examples

ワンワン wanwan (woof, giongo); キラキラ kirakira (sparkling); ドキドキ dokidoki (heart pounding); ペラペラ perapera (fluent); ニコニコ nikoniko (smiling)

Kungfucius says: Japanese has a word for the sound of silence (シーン shīn). Manga artists use it daily.