[Read Aloud] A Fun List of Onomatopoeia: Enjoy the World of Sounds
Have you ever felt your heart dance at onomatopoeic expressions like “pon-pon,” “gata-gata,” “mogu-mogu,” or “suya-suya”? The charm of onomatopoeia is how just sprinkling it into your words makes your expressions feel much more vivid.
This time, we’ll introduce a list of fun onomatopoeia you can use to add accents to everyday language and enrich your writing.
You’re sure to discover plenty of expressions you use without thinking that will make you smile when you see them anew!
- A list of cute onomatopoeia! A collection of sound-symbolic words and expressions you'll want to use
- Amusing four-character idioms you’ll want to use right away! A collection of expressions to remember as general knowledge.
- Tongue Twisters So Fun and Cute You’ll Want to Say Them Out Loud!
- Easy to remember and fun! A collection of number pun/mnemonic ideas
- Funny palindromes. A masterpiece collection that makes you burst out laughing when you imagine them.
- Get hyped! Tongue twisters that sound cool if you can say them—wordplay that makes you want to take on the challenge
- Collection of gesture game ideas and prompts
- Nagoya dialect tongue twisters are exquisite! A fun collection where your tongue gets tied in knots with regional dialects
- Interesting four-character idioms for elementary schoolers! Words you'll want to use once you understand their meanings
- Let’s have fun making them! Kid-friendly palindromes. Great as a reference for creating your own.
- [Rec] Interesting! A roundup of wordplay games
- Challenge together! A roundup of word games for adults
- Burst out laughing! A collection of outstandingly brilliant otaku senryu masterpieces
[Read Aloud] A Fun List of Onomatopoeia! Enjoy the World of Sounds (11–20)
Thump…
The word “tokuun…” probably originates from the image of a heartbeat going thump-thump, and I think it’s something unique to manga and anime.
It’s often used when a character falls in love or feels a flutter of excitement.
It could be funny to work it into everyday conversation along with the facial expression.
Why not try it when a friend or partner does something kind for you? They might be surprised but laugh and tease you, saying something like, “What are you, a manga heroine?!”
Uho uho
From “uho-uho,” you can sense someone is so happy that they’re in high spirits.
For example: The kids were thrilled, going uho-uho after getting a new toy.
There’s also an animal at the zoo that’s described with “uho-uho.” That animal is the gorilla—it can refer to the sound they make or to gorillas themselves.
You might say: The gorilla went uho-uho with joy when it was given food.
By the way, it seems gorillas don’t actually make a sound like “uho-uho.” The onomatopoeia may have been matched to the gorilla’s demeanor.
squirm squirm
How do you all describe the way eels and snakes move? Both eels and snakes, with their slick bodies, seem to wriggle as they go.
The onomatopoeia “nyoro-nyoro” fits that kind of motion perfectly.
It can also describe the movement of other long, thin creatures like earthworms.
Even for non-living things, you can use “nyoro-nyoro” when you wiggle a jump rope like a snake.
There’s also the expression “water comes out nyoro-nyoro.” It’s fascinating how such a small number of syllables can convey both a state and a motion.
chirpy; bubbly; peppy (a cutesy, lively vibe)
Those who remember the term “kyapi-kyapi gyaru,” which was popular in the 1980s, might find it nostalgically familiar.
It was often used when young people were being lively or chatting happily.
Some people might say, “They’re so kyapi-kyapi,” to convey a sense of youthfulness, energy, and cheerfulness.
We don’t really know what the “kya” and “pi” literally stand for, but it’s kind of amusing that so many people recognize it as a word that evokes a fun, lively vibe nonetheless.
Kera-kera (giggling/laughing)
There are various onomatopoeic words that convey how people laugh.
For example, words like “geragera” (loud guffaw) and “kusukusu” (soft chuckle).
“Kerakera” is another onomatopoeia for laughing, evoking a light, carefree laugh.
It also conveys the atmosphere of children laughing together in high-pitched voices.
It’s interesting that, even though they all mean “to laugh,” changing the onomatopoeia changes the scene it evokes.
It’s said that “kerakera” actually comes from the croaking of frogs.
Indeed, the loud, lively sound of a frog’s “kero kero” resembles the feel of bursting into hearty laughter.
In conclusion
Onomatopoeia is a treasure trove of wordplay and an excellent communication tool. By encountering the fun expressions of sound-imitating and mimicry words, you’ll develop a richer expressive ability. Incorporating onomatopoeia into your writing and conversation will convey your feelings and scenes more vividly to others. By all means, try using it in your daily life while enjoying the process.