Sounds and onomatopoeia in the Japanese language: A world apart

Meow, knock knock, or boom... These familiar sounds seem simple to us. Yet, in the Japanese language, onomatopoeias form a much more complex and codified linguistic system. Omnipresent in daily life, conversations, or mangas, they reflect a unique sensory perception of the world. Much more than a simple stylistic effect, they translate emotions, actions, and atmospheres with astonishing precision.

A language where sounds speak

The Japanese use sounds to describe sensations that we do not always express with the same richness.

The omnipresence of onomatopoeias in daily life

In Japan, onomatopoeias are not reserved for children or comics: they are an integral part of adult language. In a conversation between colleagues, a television report, or even a professional message, it is common to hear expressions like "gussuri" (deeply asleep), "shito shito" (light drizzle), or "pera pera" (to speak fluently).

They allow for the transmission of nuances that the classical vocabulary sometimes struggles to capture. They are also extremely useful for expressing physical sensations, climates, or states of mind with disconcerting naturalness. This gives the Japanese language a unique ability to embody sensory experience.

A unique classification into 5 main categories

Japanese onomatopoeias are not a jumble of sounds: they are classified very rigorously. This organization reflects the attention to detail and the pursuit of precision characteristic of Japanese culture.

Here are the five main categories:

Giongo (擬音語) : onomatopoeias that imitate real sounds (noises of objects, nature, animals). E.g.: "wan wan" for a bark.
Giseigo (擬声語) : sounds produced by living beings (voices, cries, laughter, tears). E.g.: "fu fu" for a small laugh.
Gitaigo (擬態語) : expressions of states, movements, or attitudes that are silent but felt. E.g.: "doki doki" for a beating heart.
Giyougo (擬容語) : describe the visual aspect of an object or a scene. E.g.: "kira kira" for something that sparkles.
Gijougo (擬情語) : echo inner emotions. E.g.: “ira ira” for annoyance.

This segmentation helps the Japanese structure their sensory thinking in a fine and nuanced way.

Gitaigo: a mirror of human sensations

Among all categories, gitaigo are particularly fascinating. They are onomatopoeias that express what has no perceptible sound.

Expressing the inexpressible through sounds

Imagine describing the stress before an exam, the calm energy of a hunting animal, or the lightness of a silk fabric... Gitaigo allows for this. These sounds embody internal movements, moods, or invisible behaviors.

For example:

Doki doki (ドキドキ) : the heartbeat, symbolizing nervousness or excitement.
Zawa zawa (ざわざわ) : a murmur of a crowd or ambient tension.
Pika pika (ピカピカ) : something shiny or very clean.

It is a true language of sensations. In one or two repeated syllables, the speaker conveys complex impressions concisely and effectively.

A deeply sensory language

Gitaigo testify to the Japanese tendency to value observation, receptivity to the world, and harmony between beings and their environment. They reflect a way of thinking where emotions and sensations deserve as much attention as facts or actions.

In advertising, they help create sensory atmospheres. In literature, they immerse the reader in the characters' state of mind. They are therefore both expressive tools, poetic, and mnemonic.

Onomatopoeias in manga: a visual language in its own right

They are also found intensely in an emblematic cultural medium: manga.

A universal graphic code for Japanese readers

In manga, onomatopoeia is drawn into the background, sometimes without translation or speech bubble. They are not just read, they are 'felt' visually.

The sound 'gyaa' (shrill scream), 'bishi' (piercing gaze), or 'goro goro' (thunder or rolling) often appear in large stylized letters, becoming part of the staging. The reader experiences the scene in its sound dimension as much as its visual one.

This contributes to the narrative richness of manga, where sound becomes a vector of atmosphere and rhythm.

A major difficulty for translation

For translators, these sounds are often a puzzle. Direct equivalents do not always exist, and translating an onomatopoeia risks losing the nuance or musicality.

Example: shiin... expresses a heavy silence, almost 'audible', that few languages can convey with such impact. Similarly, gyuun evokes a concentrated physical effort in a single syllable.

Some publishers leave them as is, others adapt them according to the readership. But all these decisions reflect the richness of the original language.

Onomatopoeia and Japanese pop culture

Onomatopoeia is not limited to paper: it lives in contemporary Japanese society.

In advertisements, fashion, social media

Japanese brands extensively use onomatopoeia to create mental images:

Saku saku : for a crunchy cookie
Tsun tsun : for a sulky or distant attitude
Fuwa fuwa : to describe a fluffy cushion, or a soft pastel look

In Japanese TikTok videos, influencers use them orally to energize their descriptions. They are perceived as fun, endearing, and effective.

A reflection of a culture of nuance

The Japanese language avoids blunt statements: it prefers nuances. Onomatopoeias offer a gentle way to express a feeling. Saying 'muka muka' (to feel irritated) is more implicit and socially acceptable than directly accusing someone.

They thus allow for the transmission of emotions while respecting social conventions, politeness, and harmony.

You will have understood, Japanese onomatopoeias are much more than a simple ornament of language: they embody a way of perceiving and communicating the world. By taking an interest in these sounds, one discovers a culture that values subtlety, intuition, and sensory richness.

Learning to understand them is accessing another way of thinking, feeling, and expressing oneself. A world where sounds speak, even when everything seems silent.