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Japanese Onomatopoeia ②: Sound Words with 「ザーザー・ドンドン・リンリン」
05/24/2026
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Japanese Onomatopoeia ①: Feelings with 「ワクワク・ドキドキ・キラキラ」
Kotoba Drill Editor
Today's theme
Japanese has many easy, sound-like words that express feelings and states. These are called 「オノマトペ（おのまとぺ） [o̞no̞mato̞pe̞]」, a broad Japanese term for onomatopoeic and mimetic expressions.
- 「ワクワク」 when you are excited and looking forward to something
- 「ドキドキ」 when you feel nervous or your heart is racing
- 「キラキラ」 when someone's eyes seem to shine
These words appear almost every day in conversation, anime, songs, advertising, and social media. Today, we will learn seven feeling-related onomatopoeic and mimetic words, with examples showing when to use them and how they differ.
What are onomatopoeic and mimetic words?
「オノマトペ」 are words that turn sounds or states into language. Japanese has two major types.
| Type | What it expresses | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| 「擬音語（ぎおんご） [ɡʲio̞ɴɡo̞]」: words that represent actual sounds | Sounds you can really hear | 「ワンワン（犬の声）」 (dog barking), 「ザーザー（雨の音）」 (heavy rain sound) |
| 「擬態語（ぎたいご） [ɡʲitaiɡo̞]」: words that represent states or appearances | States and feelings | 「ワクワク（楽しみ）」 (excited anticipation), 「キラキラ（光る感じ）」 (sparkling feeling) |
Today's theme is mimetic words that express feelings. Even when there is no real sound, these words describe movement in the heart as if it had a sound.
The seven words for today
First, let's look at the list.
| Word | Feeling or state | In one short phrase |
|---|---|---|
| 「ワクワク」 | excitement and anticipation | A lively feeling that something good is about to happen |
| 「ドキドキ」 | nervousness or romantic excitement | A feeling as if your heart is beating fast |
| 「ハラハラ」 | worry | A restless feeling because you are worried whether something will go well |
| 「イライラ」 | anger or frustration | A feeling of becoming irritated when things do not go the way you want |
| 「ニコニコ」 | smiling and being in a good mood | A gentle, smiling expression |
| 「キラキラ」 | looking bright or sparkling | A feeling that stars, eyes, or something else is shining |
| 「ふわふわ」 | lightness or restlessness | A light feeling like clouds or soft bread, or a feeling of being unsettled |
Now let's look at each one in more detail.
① 「ワクワク」
Meaning: A happy, excited feeling when you are looking forward to something.
Use it when something good seems likely to happen, or when you are excited about something that is about to begin. It is used only for positive feelings.
Examples:
- 「明日のパーティーが、ワクワクします。」 (I am excited about tomorrow's party.)
- 「新しい本を読むのが、ワクワクする！」 (Reading a new book is exciting!)
- 「子どもたちは遠足の前日、ワクワクしていました。」 (The children were excited the day before the school trip.)
Usage hint: It is often used in the forms 「ワクワクする」 and 「ワクワクしている」.
② 「ドキドキ」
Meaning: A feeling as if your heart is beating fast. It can show nervousness, or the fluttery feeling you have in front of someone you like.
Its special feature is that it can be used for both fear or anxiety and happy romantic excitement. The meaning changes depending on the situation.
Examples:
- 「試験の前は、ドキドキします。」 (I feel nervous before an exam.)
- 「好きな人と話すと、ドキドキする。」 (My heart races when I talk to someone I like.)
- 「ジェットコースターに乗って、ドキドキした。」 (I felt thrilled riding the roller coaster.)
Difference from 「ワクワク」: 「ワクワク」 is only for positive anticipation. 「ドキドキ」 can also include nervousness, fear, and romance.
③ 「ハラハラ」
Meaning: A worried, restless feeling while watching to see whether something will go well.
It is often used when you are worried while watching another person or a situation, rather than when you are talking only about yourself.
Examples:
- 「子どもが高い所にのぼっていて、ハラハラした。」 (I felt worried watching the child climb up high.)
- 「試合の終わりまで、ハラハラする展開でした。」 (It was a tense development until the end of the match.)
- 「発表を聞きながら、ハラハラドキドキしていた。」 (I felt worried and nervous while listening to the presentation.)
Difference from 「ドキドキ」: 「ドキドキ」 focuses on the feeling of your own heart beating fast. 「ハラハラ」 focuses on watching with concern.
④ 「イライラ」
Meaning: A feeling of becoming annoyed because things are not going the way you want.
Use it when things do not move as you wish, such as when the train does not come, when you are waiting for someone, or when you cannot explain something well.
Examples:
- 「電車がなかなか来なくて、イライラする。」 (I get irritated because the train is not coming.)
- 「パソコンがおそくて、イライラしてしまった。」 (I became irritated because the computer was slow.)
- 「お腹がすくと、イライラしやすい。」 (I tend to get irritated when I am hungry.)
Caution: This is a strong feeling word. Saying 「あなたにイライラする」 directly to someone can easily sound rude, so use it carefully.
⑤ 「ニコニコ」
Meaning: A state where someone is in a good mood and smiling gently.
Unlike laughing out loud, as in 「ハハハ」, it describes quietly keeping a smiling face.
Examples:
- 「先生はいつもニコニコしています。」 (The teacher is always smiling.)
- 「プレゼントをもらって、ニコニコ顔になった。」 (After receiving the present, they had a big smile.)
- 「赤ちゃんが、ニコニコ笑っていた。」 (The baby was smiling happily.)
Usage hint: It is used in forms such as 「ニコニコする」, 「ニコニコ顔」, and 「ニコニコしている」.
⑥ 「キラキラ」
Meaning: A state where something looks bright and sparkling. It can also describe a bright, energetic impression.
It can be used for both physical things and feelings. It describes the light of eyes, stars, and jewels, or a cheerful expression and positive feeling.
Examples:
- 「星が空にキラキラ光っている。」 (The stars are sparkling in the sky.)
- 「子どもの目がキラキラしていた。」 (The child's eyes were shining with excitement.)
- 「キラキラした笑顔で、こちらを見た。」 (They looked this way with a bright smile.)
Usage hint: It is used in forms such as 「キラキラ光る」 and 「キラキラした〇〇」.
⑦ 「ふわふわ」
Meaning: A light and soft state. It can also describe a feeling of being unsettled or not quite grounded.
It can be used for both the texture of things and a feeling in the mind.
Examples:
- 「このパンは、ふわふわでおいしい。」 (This bread is soft and delicious.)
- 「雲がふわふわ浮かんでいる。」 (Clouds are floating softly.)
- 「試験に合格して、まだふわふわしている。」 (After passing the exam, I still feel light and unreal.)
When used for feelings: It is used when you are so happy that you cannot calm down, or when something still does not feel real.
How onomatopoeic and mimetic words are built (basic patterns)
Feeling-related onomatopoeic and mimetic words often appear in common patterns.
| Form | Examples | Explanation |
|---|---|---|
| Repeat the same sound twice | 「ワクワク」、「ドキドキ」、「ハラハラ」 | The most common pattern. It has a natural rhythm. |
| Add 「〜する」 to make a verb | 「ワクワクする」、「イライラする」 | Expresses movement in a feeling. |
| Use 「〜している」 to show a continuing state | 「ニコニコしている」、「キラキラしている」 | Shows that the state is continuing. |
| Use 「〜した〇〇」 to describe a noun in more detail | 「キラキラした目」、「ふわふわしたパン」 | Describes the state of a person or thing. |
If you learn these four patterns, you will be able to use many more onomatopoeic and mimetic words.
Scene ①: expressing your own feelings
These words are useful for gently communicating how you feel now.
- 「旅行の前は、ワクワクします。」 (Before a trip, I feel excited.)
- 「面接の前は、ドキドキしました。」 (I felt nervous before the interview.)
- 「待ち時間が長くて、イライラしてしまった。」 (The long wait made me irritated.)
Compared with simply saying "I am happy" or "I am nervous," they communicate feelings more vividly.
Scene ②: describing people and things
You can also use them to describe what you see in another person or thing.
- 「子どもがニコニコ走ってきた。」 (The child ran over with a smile.)
- 「母はいつもキラキラした笑顔だ。」 (My mother always has a bright smile.)
- 「ふわふわのケーキを食べた。」 (I ate a fluffy cake.)
Using these words lets you describe something visually with just a short expression.
Caution: avoid overusing them or sounding rude
Onomatopoeic and mimetic words are useful, but there are a few points to watch.
| Caution | Explanation |
|---|---|
| Casual impression | Do not overuse them in business email or official documents. |
| Strong feelings | Using 「イライラ」 toward another person can easily sound rude. |
| Differences in meaning | Even words that look similar can have different viewpoints, such as 「ドキドキ（自分の気持ち）」 and 「ハラハラ（他の人を見ての気持ち）」. |
| Can sound childish | If you use too many, they may sound a little childish in business. |
A safe way to think about them is this: use them freely in conversation, diaries, and social media, but reduce them in formal situations.
Where onomatopoeic and mimetic words fit and do not fit
| Fits | Does not fit |
|---|---|
| Telling a friend how you feel in conversation | Public documents and contracts |
| Writing vividly in social media or a diary | Academic papers and business reports, especially if overused |
| Expressions in anime, manga, and songs | Strongly blaming someone, as in 「イライラする」 |
| Conversations with children and family | Formal conversation with someone you have just met |
Rephrasing direction (kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））＋ IPA)
Here are feeling-related onomatopoeic and mimetic words with kana readings and approximate IPA. They are easier to remember if you notice the rhythm, such as the four beats in 「ワ・ク・ワ・ク」.
| Word | Feeling | Example | Reading (kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））) | Pronunciation (IPA) | Function |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 「ワクワク」 | excitement and anticipation | 「旅行が楽しみでワクワクする。」 (I am excited about the trip.) | （わくわく） | [wakɯ̥wakɯ̥] | Positive anticipation |
| 「ドキドキ」 | nervousness or romantic excitement | 「試験の前にドキドキする。」 (I feel nervous before an exam.) | （どきどき） | [do̞kido̞ki] | A feeling that the heart is beating fast |
| 「ハラハラ」 | worry and restlessness | 「子どもを見ていてハラハラする。」 (I feel worried while watching the child.) | （はらはら） | [haɾahaɾa] | Concern while watching something |
| 「イライラ」 | irritation or frustration | 「電車がおそくてイライラした。」 (I got irritated because the train was slow.) | （いらいら） | [iɾaiɾa] | An unpleasant feeling when things do not go as wanted |
| 「ニコニコ」 | good mood and smiling face | 「先生はニコニコしている。」 (The teacher is smiling.) | （にこにこ） | [niko̞niko̞] | A quiet smile that continues |
| 「キラキラ」 | sparkle and hope | 「星がキラキラ光る。」 (The stars sparkle.) | （きらきら） | [kiɾakiɾa] | A shining or hopeful state |
| 「ふわふわ」 | lightness or restlessness | 「パンがふわふわでおいしい。」 (The bread is soft and delicious.) | （ふわふわ） | [ɸɯwaɸɯwa] | A soft texture or a feeling that something does not yet feel real |
Note
IPA is approximate. Vowel length and the vowels in sounds such as 「ク」 and 「キ」 may be weak or devoiced. Check them together with kana.
Practical usage examples (daily life and work｜kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））＋ IPA)
Let's look at which onomatopoeic and mimetic words sound natural in each situation.
| Scene | Intention | Natural wording | Reading (kana（かな（ひらがなよみ））) | Pronunciation (IPA) | Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Daily life (day off) | Looking forward to a trip | 「旅行が楽しみで、ワクワクしています。」 (I am excited about the trip.) | （りょこう が たのしみ で わくわく しています） | [ɾʲo̞koː ɡa tano̞ɕimi de̞ wakɯ̥wakɯ̥ ɕite̞imasɯ] | Positive anticipation |
| Daily life (family) | Worried about a child | 「高い所にのぼる子を見て、ハラハラした。」 (I felt worried watching the child climb up high.) | （たかい ところ に のぼる こ を みて はらはら した） | [takai to̞ko̞ɾo̞ ni no̞bo̞ɾɯ ko̞ o̞ mite̞ haɾahaɾa ɕita] | Worry while watching another person |
| School (exam) | Feeling nervous | 「発表の前は、ドキドキします。」 (I feel nervous before a presentation.) | （はっぴょう の まえ は どきどき します） | [happʲo̞ː no̞ mae̞ wa do̞kido̞ki ɕimasɯ] | The feeling of your own heart beating fast |
| School (friends) | A friend looks happy | 「友だちはニコニコしながら話していた。」 (My friend was talking with a smile.) | （ともだち は にこにこ しながら はなしていた） | [to̞mo̞datɕi wa niko̞niko̞ ɕinaɡaɾa hanaɕite̞ita] | Observing and describing a state |
| Work (break) | Wanting to stay in a good mood | 「朝はコーヒーを飲んで、ニコニコ仕事を始めます。」 (In the morning, I drink coffee and start work with a smile.) | （あさ は こーひー を のんで にこにこ しごと を はじめます） | [asa wa ko̞ːhiː o̞ no̞nde̞ niko̞niko̞ ɕiɡo̞to̞ o̞ hadʑime̞masɯ] | Acceptable at work as a light expression |
| Work (waiting) | Feeling impatient because no reply has come | 「返事が来なくて、少しイライラしてしまった。」 (I became a little irritated because no reply came.) | （へんじ が こなくて すこし いらいら して しまった） | [he̞ndʑi ɡa ko̞nakɯ̥te̞ sɯ̥ko̞ɕi iɾaiɾa ɕite̞ ɕimatta] | Say it as your own feeling, not directly at the other person |
Small tips for using them more naturally
1) Choose between 「〜する」 and 「〜している」
「ドキドキする」 shows the present movement of the feeling, while 「ドキドキしている」 shows a continuing state.
- 「ドキドキする」: You are about to become nervous.
- 「ドキドキしている」: The nervous feeling is still continuing now.
Choose based on whether the feeling is a short event or an ongoing state.
2) You can stack two words in the same scene
When you use two onomatopoeic or mimetic words together, the feeling can come across more clearly.
- 「旅行の前は、ワクワクドキドキする。」 (Before a trip, I feel excited and nervous.)
- 「試合を見ていて、ハラハラドキドキした。」 (Watching the match made me worried and nervous.)
The rhythm sounds natural in conversation.
3) In polite situations, rephrase with 「〜気持ちです」
In business or formal settings, rephrasing the onomatopoeic word can sound more refined.
- 「ワクワクしています」 → 「楽しみにしております」
- 「ドキドキしています」 → 「きんちょうしております」
- 「イライラしました」 → 「少しもどかしく感じました」
It is also useful to switch to more natural Japanese depending on the situation.
Common mistakes and how to fix them
| Common sentence | What is the issue? | Fix (example) |
|---|---|---|
| 「今日はワクワクをしました。」 | The verb is 「ワクワクする」. The particle 「を」 is not needed. | 「今日はワクワクしました。」 |
| 「雨がワクワク降っています。」 | 「ワクワク」 is for feelings. It is not used for the sound of a thing. | 「雨がザーザー降っています。」 |
| Saying 「イライラします」 directly to a boss | It sounds strong and can be rude. | Use another expression such as 「少し気になっています」. |
| 「パンがニコニコしている。」 | 「ニコニコ」 describes a person's smiling face. | 「パンがふわふわしている。」 |
Summary
Feeling-related onomatopoeic and mimetic words are easier to organize by feeling category:
- happy or pleased: 「ワクワク」／「ニコニコ」／「キラキラ」
- nervousness or romantic excitement: 「ドキドキ」
- worry or restlessness: 「ハラハラ」／「ふわふわ」
- anger or impatience: 「イライラ」
The four key points are:
- Many of them repeat the same sound twice.
- They can enter a sentence with forms such as 「〜する」, 「〜している」, and 「〜した〇〇」.
- They sound natural in conversation with friends, social media, and diaries.
- In business or formal settings, be careful not to overuse them.
Once you can use onomatopoeic and mimetic words, your Japanese will sound much more vivid. Start with one favorite word from today's seven and try using it every day.
Next time
Next time, in Japanese Onomatopoeia ②, we will cover sound-related onomatopoeic words. We will look at the fun of turning real sounds into words, such as rain with 「ザーザー」, a door with 「バタン」, and a heartbeat with 「ドキン」. Please look forward to it.
