A list of cute onomatopoeia! A collection of sound-symbolic words and expressions you'll want to use
“Puru puru,” “niko niko,” “poyo poyo”…
Just hearing cute onomatopoeia like these somehow warms the heart, doesn’t it? Japanese has many onomatopoeic expressions with rich nuance, and I’ve put together a list of especially cute ones.
From gentle, soothing sounds to those you’ll find yourself humming along to.
By weaving them into everyday conversation or writing, you can express yourself more vividly.
Why not try finding your own favorite cute onomatopoeia?
List of Cute Onomatopoeia! A Collection of Sound Words and Expressions You'll Want to Use (1–10)
mokyu mokyu
In Japanese, the onomatopoeia “mokyu-mokyu” is sometimes used for cute, soft things.
It can describe textures, like “These marshmallows are mokyu-mokyu and delicious,” the way something looks, like “The child is mokyu-mokyu-ing the blanket and it’s adorable,” and even a sound effect.
In this way, the word “mokyu-mokyu” is used in a very wide range of situations.
Because many people associate it with a cute image, it slips naturally into conversation.
ko-ten
Koten is an onomatopoeia that can evoke the way a small child dozes off.
Using koten for sleeping gives it a cute feel.
Besides sleep, how about using it for tilting one’s head? It brings to mind a girl in an anime or illustration cocking her head.
Originally, it was a sound effect used for lightly toppling over in a way that doesn’t hurt much.
So when you use koten in conversation, it conveys a slow movement without any sense of force.
Kyun
The onomatopoeia “kyūn” has the feel of a coined word.
In recent years, the phrase “kyun desu!” has blown up on social media, and if you consider that it echoes back to YMO’s classic hit ‘Kimi ni, Mune Kyun,’ it’s probably safe to say it’s firmly established in Japanese by now.
Incidentally, it’s said that the word kyūn was used in a shōjo manga to represent the feeling of first love as early as 1964.
I could toast the sensibility of turning the phrase “my chest aches” into the cuter, drawn-out kyūn! Come to think of it, puppies whimper kyūn too, don’t they? The more you say it out loud, the more mysterious it sounds—a delightfully cute word.
smiling
When it comes to cute onomatopoeia used to express facial expressions or emotions, “nikoniko” (smiling brightly) comes to mind.
Writing it in hiragana makes the word itself sound softer and gives it a rounder, gentler feel.
The expression “nikoniko shinagara mitsumeru” suggests looking at someone with a kind, gentle gaze.
The phrase “nikoniko shinagara tonari ni suwaru” conveys the image of sitting down next to someone with an unbroken smile.
Using the onomatopoeia nikoniko helps convey expressions and the feelings of the moment in a soft, gentle way.
squishy
As an onomatopoeia expressing a moist, soft feel or texture, we sometimes use “funi-funi.” In the phrase “It feels funi-funi,” you can picture gently touching a baby’s cheek with a finger.
And in the phrase “You can enjoy a funi-funi texture,” it suggests food with a gentle springiness.
When you use funi-funi, it’s best to apply it as an effective descriptor for the thing itself.
Try finding cute items or scenes and give it a try.
puku-puku (bubbling; softly puffed or plump)
When little onomatopoeic words that sound like noises are sprinkled into everyday conversation, they help convey the mood of what’s being said, don’t they? What kinds of things does the onomatopoeia “puku puku” bring to mind? Perhaps the way a fish moves its mouth as it swims and bubbles come out, or the feeling you get when you poke a raised, puffy spot with your finger.
In reality, neither situation actually makes a sound.
Even so, having onomatopoeic words like “puku puku” makes it easier to get your story or message across to the other person.
poyo-poyo
Poyopoyo is an onomatopoeia that’s perfect for conveying something fluffy and soft in words.
When you touch a sleeping cat’s paw pads, they feel poyopoyo, don’t they? You can also use it when touching a soft belly.
Similar onomatopoeias include fuwafuwa and howahowa.
All three express softness, but their nuances differ.
Poyopoyo suggests not only softness but also a springy, bouncy elasticity.
Try choosing the one that best fits the context of your conversation, even among similar-sounding words.