Onomatopoeia in Japanese 擬声語

Very complicated onomatopoeias

There are two main groups of Japanese onomatopoeia. The first, that of the giongo , distinguishes between the giongo   (words that imitate sounds) for noises produced by inanimate things , and giseigo for sounds produced by living beings . The second group, named   gitaigo , includes onomatopoeias which translate a physical or emotional state , a feeling or a situation and which do not, in fact, produce any sound . There are, however, a large number of them that give rhythm to conversations, but also to manga dialogues and more literary works. For either group, the most common way to form onomatopoeia is to redouble a syllable (one, two, sometimes even three times). The giongo , on the other hand, play the role of adverbs, adjectives or verbs (for example when combined with the verb suru , which means to do).

To read: Aizuchi, the art of conversation in Japanese

Mini lexicon

Foreigners (in our case, French speakers) and Japanese are mutually surprised that the animals do not cry in the same way in their different countries. Thus, the cat's meow is transcribed as “ nyaa-nyaa” and the dog's bark as “ wan-wan” . As for our emblematic “cocorico”, it is translated in the land of the rising sun by a “ kokekokkô” .

Using an onomatopoeia to express a sensation or a feeling is one of the specificities of the Japanese language. However, this very particular way of expressing themselves seems to be self-evident for the Japanese. Also, they are sometimes surprised to hear from the mouth of a foreigner that " pika-pika "   does not necessarily make them think of something shiny clean or that " pokapoka " does not evoke for them a pleasant feeling of warmth.

You should also know that a number of onomatopoeia can be used to describe a way of eating, laughing, walking and many other actions. Thus, at the restaurant or at your hosts, be careful not to   gatsu gatsu taberu »   (eat greedily) or "   gera gera warau »   (laughing uproariously).

What to do during the first visits to the dentist when the latter very seriously asks you to do " gasagasa " (slight rustle) or " kachikachi " (click) while rubbing your newly filled molar on the top one?

As for the doctor, if you have a cold, he will ask you if your cough is “ gohongohon ” (very strong) and if your head is “ gangan ”   (very bad).

Not easy, is it?

But if you master all these subtleties of the Japanese language you will be entitled to a “ nihongo perapera ”: “You speak Japanese fluently! ").

See also: Take Japanese lessons in Japan