Kotodama DB

Word Library

Explore our curated collection of Japanese sound-symbolic and mimetic words.

ばりばり

bari-bari

Casual to Semi-formal

Hardworking, crunching loudly

Describes working energetically and efficiently, or the sound of tearing or crunching something hard.

EverydayBusiness

べたべた

beta-beta

Casual

Sticky, sweaty, or over-affectionate

Describes a sticky surface, the feeling of sweat on skin, or people being physically clingy or 'lovey-dovey'.

EverydaySocial

びくびく

biku-biku

Casual

Timidly, fearful of consequences

Describes being in a nervous, frightened state, constantly fearing that something bad will happen.

EverydayManga-common

ぼろぼろ

boro-boro

Casual to Semi-formal

Worn out, tattered, crumbling

Describes something in a state of decay or ruin, or a person who is physically or mentally 'falling apart'.

EverydayVisual

だんだん

dan-dan

Casual to Semi-formal

Gradually, step by step

Describes a change occurring slowly and steadily over time, like the stairs (dan) of a staircase.

EverydayCommon

ドキドキ

doki-doki

Informal to Semi-formal

Heart-pounding (with excitement or nervousness)

Describes the sound or physical sensation of a fast-beating heart due to strong emotions like love, fear, or excitement.

EverydaySpokenManga-common

どんどん

don-don

Casual to Semi-formal

Rapidly, steadily, pounding sound

Describes things happening one after another in quick succession, or a heavy thumping/pounding sound.

EverydayCommon

ふらふら

fura-fura

Casual to Semi-formal

Unsteady on feet, aimlessly

Describes walking unsteadily, wobbling, or wandering around without a clear purpose.

EverydayStatus

ふわふわ

fuwa-fuwa

Casual

Fluffy, soft, airy

Describes something very light and soft, like a cloud, a marshmallow, or a fluffy pet.

EverydayCute

がわがわ

gawa-gawa

Casual

Feeling stiff or scratchy (fabric)

Describes a coarse, stiff texture of fabric or paper that feels uncomfortable against the skin.

Dialect-nuancedTexture

がやがや

gaya-gaya

Casual to Semi-formal

Noisy, boisterous crowd

Describes the loud, lively noise of many people talking at once.

EverydaySocial

ギリギリ

giri-giri

Casual to Semi-formal

At the limit, barely, last minute

Describes a state where there is no more room or time left; being on the edge of a limit.

EverydayCommon

ごわごわ

gowa-gowa

Casual to Semi-formal

Stiff, thick, and inflexible

Describes thick, hard, and inflexible fabric or hair that doesn't flow or bend easily.

EverydayBeauty

ぐつぐつ

gutsu-gutsu

Casual to Semi-formal

Simmering, boiling thick liquid

Describes the sound and appearance of thick liquid (like stew or curry) simmering or boiling over low heat.

EverydayKitchen

へとへと

heto-heto

Casual

Completely exhausted, worn out

Describes a state of extreme physical or mental fatigue where one has no energy left.

EverydaySpoken

ひそひそ

hiso-hiso

Casual to Semi-formal

Whispering

Describes the sound or action of people talking in hushed voices so others cannot hear.

EverydaySocial

ほかほか

hoka-hoka

Casual to Semi-formal

Steaming hot (food), freshly baked

Describes something freshly cooked or baked that is still giving off steam or warmth.

EverydayFood-common

イライラ

ira-ira

Informal

Irritated, annoyed

Describes the feeling of being prickly or vexed when things don't go as planned or when waiting too long.

EverydaySpoken

いろいろ

iro-iro

Casual to Semi-formal

Various, all sorts of

Describes a variety of things, people, or situations. It implies a diverse and colorful collection.

EverydayCommon

じろじろ

jiro-jiro

Casual

Staring indiscreetly, ogling

Describes staring at something or someone rudely or excessively from top to bottom.

EverydayNegative

じっと

jitto

Casual to Semi-formal

Motionlessly, intently

Describes staying perfectly still or staring fixedly at something without moving.

EverydayCommon

キラキラ

kira-kira

Casual to Semi-formal

Sparkling, twinkling

Describes something that shines or sparkles brightly, like a star, a diamond, or clean water.

EverydayPositive

くらくら

kura-kura

Casual to Semi-formal

Dizzy, light-headed

Describes a feeling of dizziness or losing one's balance, internal or external.

EverydayMedical

もちもち

mochi-mochi

Casual to Semi-formal

Chewy, doughy, springy

Describes a very chewy and elastic texture, predominantly used for food that feels like mochi.

EverydayFood-common

もちり

mochiri

Casual to Semi-formal

Springy, elastic softness

Describes a dense, elastic softness that bounces back, like a fresh mochi rice cake or youthful skin.

EverydayBeauty

もふもふ

mofu-mofu

Casual / Adorable

Soft and woolly, ultra-fluffy

A modern, slightly slangy term for things so fluffy you want to bury your face in them.

EverydayModern SlangInternet

もやもや

moya-moya

Casual

Foggy feeling, lingering discontent

Describes a hazy, unclear state of mind or a feeling of being unsatisfied or bothered without a clear reason.

EverydaySocial

ねばねば

neba-neba

Casual to Semi-formal

Sticky and stringy

Specifically describes substances that are sticky and form strings or threads when pulled apart, like Natto or okra.

Food-specificEveryday

にこにこ

niko-niko

Casual to Semi-formal

Smiling, beaming

Describes a cheerful, friendly, and quiet smile that lasts for a while.

EverydayPositive

にたにた

nita-nita

Casual

Grinning creepily, slimy smile

Describes an unpleasant, persistent grin, often by someone who is thinking of something indecent or mean-spirited.

EverydayNegative

にやにや

niya-niya

Casual

Grinning, smirking, suppressed smile

Describes a grin or smirk, often when someone is thinking of something funny or has a secret they aren't sharing.

EverydayNuanced

ぱらぱら

para-para

Casual to Semi-formal

Scattered drops, flipping pages

Describes small objects or drops falling lightly and scatteredly, or the sound of flipping through a book.

EverydayBooks

ぱりぱり

pari-pari

Casual to Semi-formal

Crunchy, crispy (thin things)

Describes the texture or sound of something thin and dry being broken or eaten, like seaweed, potato chips, or fresh lettuce.

EverydayFood-common

ぴかぴか

pika-pika

Casual to Semi-formal

Shiny, polished, brand new

Describes a surface that is so clean or new that it reflects light, or a sudden flash of light.

EverydayPositive

ひらひら

pira-pira

Casual to Semi-formal

Fluttering, frilly

Describes thin, light objects fluttering in the wind (like petals or ribbons) or frilly clothing.

EverydayVisual

ぽかぽか

poka-poka

Casual to Semi-formal

Pleasantly warm

Describes a comfortable, cozy warmth, often from the sun or after moderate activity.

EverydayPositive

ぴゅうぴゅう

pyuu-pyuu

Casual to Semi-formal

Whistling wind, cold wind blowing

Describes the sound of a strong, cold wind whistling through gaps or across a landscape.

EverydayWeather

さらさら

sara-sara

Casual to Semi-formal

Smooth and dry, silky

Describes a smooth, fluid, and dry texture or movement, such as silky hair or a flowing stream.

EverydayPositive

しゃきしゃき

shaki-shaki

Casual to Semi-formal

Crunchy (fresh vegetables)

Specifically describes the crisp, crunchy texture of fresh vegetables like beansprouts, apples, or lettuce.

EverydayFood-common

しいん

shiin

Casual to Semi-formal

Silence, dead quiet

Describes a sudden or total silence, often after a noise or when everyone is stunned into speechlessness.

Manga-famousEveryday

しくしく

shiku-shiku

Casual to Semi-formal

Quietly sobbing, dull pain

Describes the sound of a quiet, persistent sob (usually by women or children) or a steady, dull, aching pain.

EverydayMedical

しとしと

shito-shito

Casual to Semi-formal

Gently drizzling rain

Describes a light, quiet, and steady rain that seems to soak into things without noise.

EverydayLiterary

そよそよ

soyo-soyo

Casual to Semi-formal

Gentle breeze blowing

Describes a light, pleasant breeze that gently rustles leaves or hair.

EverydayPositive

するする

suru-suru

Casual to Semi-formal

Smoothly, effortlessly, gliding

Describes a smooth, friction-less movement or things progressing without any resistance.

EverydayCommon

つるつる

tsuru-tsuru

Casual to Semi-formal

Slippery, dolphin-smooth, bald

Describes a perfectly smooth, often slippery surface like ice, a polished floor, or smooth noodles.

EverydayVisual

わあわあ

waa-waa

Casual

Wailing, bawling, clamor

Describes a loud, unrestrained crying sound or the general clamor of many noisy voices.

EverydayChildren

ワクワク

waku-waku

Casual to Semi-formal

Excited with anticipation

Describes a positive, bubbling feeling of looking forward to something pleasant.

EverydaySpoken

ざあざあ

zaa-zaa

Casual to Semi-formal

Pouring rain, rushing water

Describes the sound of heavy rain or water flowing in large quantities.

EverydayNature

ざわざわ

zawa-zawa

Casual to Semi-formal

Noisy (crowd), unsettled feeling

Describes the sound of a rustling crowd or forest, or an internal feeling of unease or anticipation.

EverydayManga-famous

ぞくぞく

zoku-zoku

Casual to Semi-formal

Shivering with chills or excitement

Describes a physical chill running down the spine, whether from a cold/fever or from intense excitement/fear.

EverydayMedical