擬音語(ぎおんご)

ぎおんご
noun
onomatopoeia; sound-symbolic word
language
1. onomatopoeia; word that imitates a sound
A word that represents an actual sound, such as an animal cry, a noise from nature, or a mechanical sound. In Japanese linguistics, this is distinguished from 擬態語(ぎたいご), which describes states or feelings rather than sounds.
「ワンワン」は犬(いぬ)の擬音語(ぎおんご)だ。
'Wan-wan' is an onomatopoeia for a dog.
日本語(にほんご)には擬音語(ぎおんご)が非常(ひじょう)に多(おお)い。
Japanese has a very large number of onomatopoeia.
漫画(まんが)では擬音語(ぎおんご)が効果的(こうかてき)に使(つか)われて臨場感(りんじょうかん)を出(だ)している。
In manga, onomatopoeia are used effectively to create a sense of being there.

Composed of 擬(ぎ) (imitate) + 音(おん) (sound) + 語(ご) (word). Japanese is exceptionally rich in sound-symbolic language, and linguists distinguish between two main categories: 擬音語(ぎおんご) (words imitating actual sounds) and 擬態語(ぎたいご) (words expressing states, textures, or feelings). Together they are called 擬声語(ぎせいご) or オノマトペ.

EXAMPLES OF 擬音語(ぎおんご):

  • ワンワン: a dog barking
  • ザーザー: heavy rain pouring
  • ドンドン: knocking or banging
  • ガタガタ: rattling, clattering

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 擬態語(ぎたいご) (mimetic word)
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 2026.4.7 2:28 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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