Body Sensations & Conditions
How does your skin feel? What's going on in your stomach? Japanese body onomatopoeia is precise enough to help a doctor understand your exact level of pain or discomfort.
Featured Words
ふらふら
fura-furaDescribes walking unsteadily, wobbling, or wandering around without a clear purpose.
へとへと
heto-hetoDescribes a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue where one has no energy left.
ほかほか
hoka-hokaDescribes something freshly cooked or baked that is still giving off steam or warmth.
くらくら
kura-kuraDescribes a feeling of dizziness or losing one's balance, internal or external.
ぽかぽか
poka-pokaDescribes a comfortable, cozy warmth, often from the sun or after moderate activity.
しくしく
shiku-shikuDescribes the sound of a quiet, persistent sob (usually by women or children) or a steady, dull, aching pain.
ぞくぞく
zoku-zokuDescribes a physical chill running down the spine, whether from a cold/fever or from intense excitement/fear.
Nuance Comparisons
Kura-kura vs Fura-fura
Kura-kura is the internal feeling of dizziness (head spinning); Fura-fura is the external appearance of being unsteady (wobbling).
Poka-poka vs Hoka-hoka
Poka-poka is general atmospheric/body warmth (sun, exercise); Hoka-hoka is radiating heat from an object (fresh food, hot towel).