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音と動きをことばで · Sound-symbolic Japanese

Japanese Onomatopoeia Hub

Choose an expression by the feeling, movement, sound, or texture you want to understand.

Each guide explains what the word evokes, where it sounds natural, and which nearby expression may fit better. Test your judgment with the Japanese Onomatopoeia Quiz.

Start with a clear situation

Begin with words whose meaning changes noticeably with the scene.

Compare expressions that look close

Use the contrast, not an English gloss alone, to choose the word.

Browse by what the word describes

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