Japanese Onomatopoeia Guide (Audio Description)
Posted: Fri Dec 12, 2008 7:07 pm
well, found this when surfing... yet it was first made for manga, i think it also applies for novels, right?
enjoy it 
Part 1
A
F


Part 1
A
- a = general interjection: oh, uh, ah
- a! = exclamation of surprise, alarm, amazement, relief, frustration, fury: Oh! Ack! Agh! Ah! Argh! Also inarticulate sound of pain or passion: Ah! Oh!
- aaaa! = same as above, but more so
- aa = yes, okay, sure
- aa(aaa)n = opening the mouth wide, as in "Say ah!" Used when feeding or being fed by someone.
- aan, an = cry of passion (see a!)
- acha = remorse
- agi agi = bite bite, gnaw, sink your cute little fangs into (see also agu agu, kaji)
- agu agu = bite bite (see also agi agi, kaji)
- ahaha = laughter (see also ha ha ha for masculine laughter, and ho ho ho for refined feminine laughter)
- arayotto, hoisatto = K-san: "These are used when one is doing some physical task and finishing it easily. One uses either or both of them at a time."
- ba = sudden impact. English equivalents would be: bam, bang, crash, ka-boom, thump, thud, wham, whomp, etc. (See also bagu, baki, ban, bashi,
- bata, batan, bokan, bun, dan, doka, don, doshin, dote, ga, ka, kon, paka, pan, pashi, patan, poka, pon, to, ton, among others.)
- bachi = crackle (see also bari, biri)
- bagu = impact
- baki = impact (one of the most common impact sounds) or other very loud sound
- ban = bang! bam!
- ban = sometimes added to a scene for dramatic effect, to show that something astonishing or important has happened (see also don)
- bara bara = rattle rattle (see also chara chara, gara gara)
- bari bari = crunch, as in eating. K-san: "Pori pori is the quietest crunching. Pori pori is for cookies; bari bari is for chips. Kori kori is for broccoli and asparagus." (see also kori, pari, pori)
- bari bari = scratch scratch (see also giri giri, kiri kiri)
- bari bari = rip rip (see also biri biri)
- bari bari = crackle, crackle? Anyway, energy or electricity, just like biri biri. Pari pari is a quieter crackle, just as pori is a quieter crunch than bari. (see also bachi)
- basa = rustling, e.g. cloth sliding, paper moving (see also pasa)
- bashan = medium splash (see also zabun for a very big splash)
- bashi, bashito = impact (see also nashi, pashi)
- bata, batan = impact, often used for falling down
- batan = door slamming (see also patan)
- batchiri = precise, proper, accurate
- becho = dropping something. K-san says it means dropping something sticky (and see beto beto), but we've seen it used for Yuusuke dropping Kuwabara. Maybe Kuwabara was sticky at the moment.
- bee, bee da = rudeness, what you say when you stick out your tongue and pull down your eyelid at someone. From 'Bero bero akkan-bee (or akanbei).' Like the mocking Western 'nya nya!'
- bero = peeling back
- bero bero = licking over and over, stronger than pero
- betari = people or objects that stick together (physically or metaphorically)
- beto beto = sticky, gummy
- bi, biiii = highpitched sound: shriek, wail (see also kiiii)
- bicha bicha = small splash (see also bashan for medium splash, zabun for big splash)
- bichi bichi = flopping, smacking
- biku, bikun, bikkun = surprise (see also piku)
- biri = electricity, energy
- biri biri = tearing, as in ripping cloth, opening a potato chip bag (see also bari, piri)
- biron = tongue hanging out
- bishi = whip, slap, smack, depending on the degree of power
- bo = flame, fire (see also gooo, guooo, po). W-san: "'Bo' is like the 'whoosh' of a gas range turned on."
- bo = sluggish and exhausted (see also doyon)
- bochan = kerplunk (see also pochan)
- bochi bochi = something happening steadily, as in water dripping
- bokan = sudden impact
- boketto = gazing vacantly
- boko = boiling, bubbling. Can also be any 'pop' or bursting sound. (see also buku)
- bon = sound of magical transformation or appearance, often seen with a puff of smoke (see also pon/pom, dororonpa)
- bosa bosa = unkempt, also sitting around lazily
- boso boso = muttering, speaking in a hushed, unclear voice. M.J. says of boso, busu, and musu: "All of them what muttered sulky Japanese sounds like--'bananas bananas' said through the nose, so to speak; because you don't complain out loud." (see also busu, guzu, gyaa, musu)
- bota = dripping, possibly something thick dripping, like blood. Compare to pi, picha, po, pota. (see also dara dara for thick liquid dripping)
- boto boto, bote = falling
- botsu = whoosh
- buchi = snap. Can be used metaphorically, such as when Hiei snaps under the pressure of learning he's a father.
- buchi buchi = ripping, tearing
- buchu = kiss (see also chu, nchu, uchu)
- buku, bukubuku = swelling, something swollen (see also puku)
- buku, bukubuku = boiling, bubbles
- bui = 'V' for victory. Sound of fingers making the V-sign.
- bunchchacha = music. Yes, really. Bun is a slow beat and cha cha quick beats. (see also runtata)
- bun, buun = swish
- buun = buzz, whir, as of an insect
- buran = hanging, dangling
- burororo = sound of a loud motor, as of an automobile (see also oooo)
- Buru = a head being shaken violently in the negative
- busu busu = the sound of something smoldering or smoking. Used for the embers after Hiei's fire attacks. (see also pusu pusu)
- busu, busu busu, usuto, butsu = muttered complaining (see boso, guzu, gyaa, musu)
- buwa = explosion
- buyo buyo = squishy and swollen, waterlogged
- bwahaha = evil laugh, same as fwahaha, gahaha, gwahaha
- byu = quick movement, such as the leaps Hiei makes (see also hyu, gyu, pyu)
- chapon, chapu = plunk (water sound) (see also shapu)
- chara chara = rattle, clatter, jingle (see also bara bara, gara gara)
- chi, ch' = Various translators: "I think of it as a tongue-clicking noise." "It means 'shit.'" "I think it's better translated as 'damn' since it's about the equivalent in vulgarity." "Probably a--mm, vocal referent, would you call it?--to chikushou, another of the 'oh shit' words." You can see why we decided to leave it as ch'. ^_^
- chichichi = how you call a cat
- chi chi = high shrill noise
- chira, chirari, chiron = quick sideways glance
- chiri chiri = curly, frizzy
- chiri chiri = tingle of heat, shiver of cold (see also zoku for shiver)
- chirin = chime
- chiyahoya = fuss over, butter up
- choki choki = cutting, as with knives or scissors
- chokon = small and quiet
- chu = kiss (see also nchu, uchu)
- chu = suck (as through a straw)
- chun chun = chirp chirp (see also pii pii for peep peep)
- da da da, daaaaaaaa = running away (see also do do do, ta, ta ta ta)
- dan = bang, boom, sudden impact
- dara dara = continuous dripping of thick liquid, like blood, sweat, saliva drool (see also jo, jururu, zururu)
- dere dere = sloppy, loose. Also to go goofy over someone, to fawn.
- do = big impact
- do = heartbeat, the loudest kind! (see also doki doki, dokun, tokun)
- do do do do = footsteps, especially heavy footsteps, running (see also da)
- do do do do = quick punches
- Dobi = missed kick
- doka = impact
- doki doki = heartbeat (see also dokun, tokun)
- dokun = harder heartbeat (see also doki, tokun)
- don = BIG impact
- don = sometimes added to a scene for dramatic effect, to show that something astonishing or important has happened (see also ban)
- dondon = continuous action
- dopyu = spurting (as in blood) K-san: "The 'pyu' is the spurting (quick action, just like 'pyu' on its own), and the 'do' emphasizes it, just as in 'dosu.'"
- doron, dororonpa = the sound of magical transformation (see also bon, pon, pom)
- dorya = what to yell as you attack; a fighting taunt or war cry. (see also ora, orya, sorya, uraa)
- dosa = thud of something heavy (often a person or body) hitting the floor
- doshin = impact
- Dosshu = a cut through bone
- dosu = spurting. K-san: "The 'su' is the spurting, and the 'do' emphasizes it, just as in 'dopyu.'"
- dotabata = running around wildly, as in panic or confusion (compare to jitabata for flailing)
- dote = impact, falling. W-san: "This sound is often used in reference to the frequent, usually comical falls toddler are always taking. With adults it means a careless, slapstick fall."
- doyon = sluggish and exhausted, depressed (see also bo)
- e! e? = what! huh? We usually translate this as 'eh?' although the Japanese 'e?' is less colloquial and informal than the Western 'eh?'
- e, eeee = cry, wail (see also hu-e, miiii)
- ee = yes, okay, sure
- eeto = (said by a character) um, er, uh. What you say while you're thinking of what to say.
- ehen = we've had this translated as both 'ahem!' and 'haha!'
- ei = shriek
F
- fua, fuwa, fa = yawn
- fu, fua (hu hua) = sigh, blowing breath out (as in blowing out a candle)
- fu fu fu (hu hu hu) = a strange laugh. M.J.: "The evil chuckle in the back of the throat." (see also ku ku ku, pu pu pu)
- fuki fuki = wiping
- fumi = step, stomp
- fumu (humu) = hmmph, hmm, uh-huh (see also umu)
- funka funka (hunka hunka) = sniff sniff, inhale (see also nku, kunka)
- fura = yawn (see also fua)
- fura = drift
- fura = dizziness (see also kura)
- fura, fura fura = wobble, totter
- fura, furi, furu = tremble, quiver (see also puru)
- fusa = abundant, soft hair. (Or, in these stories, somebody touching it.)
- fuwa, fuwato = gentle movement, lifting or floating
- fuwari, funwara = even gentler, calmer movement than fuwato
- fwahaha = evil laugh, same as bwahaha, gahaha, gwahaha
- ga = yet another impact word
- gaba = grab (see also gashi, gu, gui, gya, gyu, ku, kyu)
- gaba gaba = gurgling
- gaba gaba = too big (as of clothes)
- gacha, gachari = the click of something opening, such as a latch, a door, or even a belt (see also kacha)
- gahaha = evil laugh, same as bwahaha, fwahaha, gwahaha
- gakin = clash
- gaku = shaking, wobbling (see also kaku, kakun)
- gakun, gakunto, gakuri = to collapse, fall
- gapu = big bite, chomp (see also paku)
- gan = revelation, usually horrible
- GAAA-N = BIG revelation, always horrible
- gangan = strong or violent action
- gara gara, garan = clatter, rattle (see also bara bara, chara chara)
- gasa, goso = rustle, stealthy movement
- gashan = crash, impact (see also gashin, gochin)
- gashi = grab (see also gaba, gyu)
- gashin = crash, impact (see also gashan, gochin)
- gasshiri = solid
- gata, gatan = to reel in shock from a revelation
- gata, gatan = to fall or collapse
- gatsu gatsu/gatu gatu = gobble food (see also hau hau, paku)
- gaya = excited crowd sound
- gebo = throwing up
- gefu = belch, burp
- geho = cough (see also goho, kehen, kon, koho)
- gennari = exhausted
- geshi geshi = not sure about this. At times it seems to be a wiping sound like goshi ; at others either a squashing or rustling sound. Maybe a general cloth sound?
- gi gi, giiee = sounds Kurama's plants (and other evil plants) make. (for other menacing sounds see go go go and uzo uzo)
- giku, gikuri = surprise (see also biku, piku)
- gin = glare, stare at (see also giro)
- gira = twinkle, shine, glint (see also kira, kiran)
- giri giri = scratching, grinding, more vigorous than kiri (see also bari bari)
- giri giri = at the limit, to have no time or space to spare
- giro = glare, stare at (see also gin)
- gishi = creaking (see also kishi)
- Gitai-go = not a sound effect, but the Japanese word for onomatopoeia, or sound effects.
- go go go go = general menace, a threatening atmosphere. (for other menacing sounds, see gi gi and uzo uzo)
- gochin = impact. W-san: "Another comical collision sound." (see also gashan, gashin)
- gofu = cough
- goho, gohon = a deep, wet cough, also vomiting up water (see also geho, gofu, kehen, kon, koho)
- goku, gokun = gulp, swallow (see also kokun)
- goooo = a roar. Can be a fire sound, often used for Hiei's fire attacks (see also bo, guooo, po)
- goro goro = purr purr
- goro, goron = rolling over. It's supposed to be something heavy rolling over, but we've seen it used for tiny little Hiei rolling. Maybe it means he's rolling heavily.
- goshi = scrubbing, rubbing, wiping (see also koshi)
- goso = rummage, rustle
- goun = the sound of a washing machine. Really. At least, we've seen it used for that specifically by two different djka. The sound of a dryer, however, is guon (see the difference?)
- gowa gowa = stiff, rigid
- gu = grabbing, pulling (see also gaba, gui, gyu)
- gu = what you sound like when you're sleeping (see also supigu, ku, suka, suya, gussuri.) Gu and ku are similar to zzzzz. Supigu is peaceful sleep. K-san says "it's sort of a whistling sound."
- gu = stomach growling (see also ku, kyururu)
- gucha = smashing, crushing (see also gusha)
- guchi guchi = wet sound? twisting sound? We're not sure.
- gui = grab (see also gaba, gu, gyu)
- gui = gulp
- Gunya = sudden mental realization
- guon = the sound of a dryer. For the sound of a washing machine, see goun
- guooo = a roar. Can be a fire sound, often used for Hiei's fire attacks (Cf. bo, goooo, po)
- gura = stagger, move shakily (see also zuru)
- guri = to give noogies
- gusha = squeeze, grab, crush (see also gucha)
- gussuri = deep sleep (see also gu, ku, suka, supigu, suya)
- gutta, guttari = droopy, wilted, limp. Used to describe people or plants. (see also kuta)
- gutto, guutto = extreme concentration, also strong emotion
- guzu = whine, grumble (see also boso, busu, gyaa)
- gwahaha = evil laugh, same as bwahaha, fwahaha, gahaha
- gya = shriek (see also kya)
- gya = grab (see also gaba, gyu)
- gyaa gyaa = whine, grumble (see also boso, busu, guzu)
- gyo = shock
- gyu, kyu = grab, squeeze, twist (see also gaba, gya)
- gyuu, gyuun = fast motion (see also byu, hyu, pyu)