ぴよぴよ

ぴよぴよ is an onomatopoeia for the high-pitched chirping of baby chicks (ひよこ) and small birds. It has a cute, childlike quality and is one of the first animal sounds Japanese children learn.

Common patterns

• ぴよぴよ鳴(な)く: to chirp, to peep
• ぴよぴよと鳴(な)く: to chirp (with quotative と)
• ぴよぴよ声(こえ)が聞(き)こえる: to hear chirping

Other bird sounds

• チュンチュン: sparrow chirping
• ホーホケキョ: Japanese bush warbler (鶯(うぐいす)) call
• コケコッコー: rooster crowing
• カーカー: crow cawing

Usage

Belongs to the category of 擬音語(ぎおんご) (words that mimic actual sounds). Often used in children's books, songs, and when speaking to young children. Can also appear as a noun: ぴよぴよ can refer informally to a baby chick itself.