Nihongo Phonopoeia Home page - Guide to learning and remembering Japanese Onomatopoeias and mimetic expressions

Often used in comics, animations, TV commercials, and advertisements, onomatopoeias are an integral part of the Japanese language. By learning these useful phrases, you will be able to express yourself more vividly and accurately in Japanese. In addition you will be able to better understand Japanese anime and comics.

Although commonly used in newspaper articles and literature, I think having knowledge of such expressions will be most useful when chit-chating with friends and in other situations where colloquial Japanese is used. Please enjoy the resources we have provided and, if you wish to delve further, check out some of the external links to more in-depth resources.

We will have onomatopoeia online flash cards for periodic review of the onomatopoeias included in "Nihongo Phonopoeia."
Nihongo Phonopoeia download which will allow you to hear all of the sample sentences spoken by native speakers.
Onomatopoeia Quizzes
Onomatopoeia Newsletters -- Coming this Summer

Japanese onomatopoeias/mimetic expressions -- The words and phrases referred to as giseigo, giongo, and gitaigo that imitate sounds and actions and give impact to the Japanese language. Giseigo are those words that are used to express voice-imitating sounds such as a cow’s moo. Giongo are those words that express other sounds such as tapping and sounds of nature such as whistling storm wind. Gitaigos, on the other hand, are used to express other things such as states, mannerisms, intensities, textures, and actions.