擬 態 語(ぎたいご)

ぎたいご

noun

mimetic word; phenomime; ideophone for states and conditions

1. mimetic word; phenomime; ideophone for states and conditions

A category of Japanese expressive words that represent states, conditions, textures, emotions, or manners of action that do not produce actual sounds. Distinguished from 擬音語, which imitate actual sounds.

「きらきら」は擬態語(ぎたいご)だ。

'Kirakira' (sparkling) is a mimetic word.

日本語(にほんご)には擬態語(ぎたいご)が非常(ひじょう)に多(おお)い。

Japanese has an extremely large number of mimetic words.

擬態語(ぎたいご)を使(つか)いこなすと、日本語(にほんご)の表現(ひょうげん)がぐっと豊(ゆた)かになる。

Mastering mimetic words makes your Japanese expression much richer.

Composed of 擬(ぎ) (imitate) + 態(たい) (state, condition) + 語(ご) (word). Refers to expressive words that evoke non-auditory sensations: textures, visual impressions, emotions, and manners of movement. Japanese is exceptionally rich in this category compared to most languages.

EXAMPLES OF 擬態語(ぎたいご):

きらきら: sparkling, glittering
ふわふわ: fluffy, soft
べたべた: sticky
のろのろ: sluggishly
いらいら: irritated, frustrated

Similar words

擬音語(ぎおんご): onomatopoeia — words that imitate actual sounds (e.g., わんわん for a dog barking)
擬声語(ぎせいご): sound-symbolic word — sometimes used as a broader term encompassing both 擬音語(ぎおんご) and 擬態語(ぎたいご)
オノマトペ: onomatopoeia (from French) — used broadly in Japanese to cover both sound-imitating and mimetic words

Linguistic note

The distinction between 擬音語(ぎおんご) (phonomimes, imitating sounds) and 擬態語(ぎたいご) (phenomimes, evoking states) is a well-known feature of Japanese linguistics. Both categories are collectively referred to as オノマトペ.

Related Words

Compare: 擬音語(ぎおんご) (onomatopoeia)

Compare: 擬声語(ぎせいご) (sound-symbolic word)

Compare: オノマトペ (onomatopoeia)

Compare: 感嘆詞(かんたんし) (interjection)

general

Added 2026.4.6 21:18 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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