Japanese Onomatopoeia for Animal Sounds

The loud, continuous buzzing or crying sound made by cicadas, particularly during the peak of summer.

Kerokero is the onomatopoeia for a frog's croak or a robotic, metallic vocal effect used in music.

ワンワン (wanwan) is the sound of a dog barking repeatedly or the sound of someone crying and bawling loudly.

にゃー is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound a cat makes, equivalent to the English word meow.

Nyan-nyan represents the sound of a cat meowing, is used as baby talk for 'kitty', and serves as older slang for physical intimacy.

ぶんぶん describes a continuous loud buzzing or humming sound made by insects or engines, as well as the action of vigorously swinging or shaking something.

A harsh, loud, and repetitive sound, such as ducks quacking, heavy snoring, angry complaining, or broken speakers.

カーカー mimics the cawing sound of a crow, and is also used by young children to refer to the crow itself.

メーメー mimics the bleating sound made by sheep or goats, equivalent to 'baa' or 'meh' in English.

コケコッコー is the standard Japanese onomatopoeia for a rooster's crow, equivalent to "cock-a-doodle-doo".

The squeaking sound of a mouse or the continuous sound of sucking liquid through a straw.

The sound made by a sheep or goat.

A word representing high-pitched repeated sounds like beeps or chirps, as well as figurative states like having diarrhea, being broke, or being a novice.

The high-pitched yapping of a small dog, or the sound of someone nagging loudly and persistently.

モーモー is the onomatopoeia for a cow's moo.

The sound of a cat meowing, or a child's word for a cat.

An archaic onomatopoeia representing the hoarse cawing sound of a crow.

Represents the high-pitched peeping or chirping of chicks, as well as frail, gentle movements.

こん (kon) is a Japanese sound word mimicking a fox's yelp or a light, dry clunking sound.

キャン is an onomatopoeia for a high-pitched bark or yap of a small dog, or a sharp yelp of sudden pain or surprise.

A rare onomatopoeic term used to describe the chirping of small birds or the cawing of crows.

The chirping or cheeping sound of small birds, especially sparrows.

The sound a cat makes (meow), or a childish word for a cat (kitty).

A Japanese phonomime (giseigo) representing the characteristic cry of a monkey.

A low, guttural growl made by an animal like a dog or wolf to express anger or a warning.

シャー is a Japanese onomatopoeia for a sharp hissing sound, such as an angry cat, a pressurized spray of water, or intense sizzling in a pan.

ワン is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a single dog bark, equivalent to 'woof' or 'arf'.

A word representing an owl's hoot or an interjection used to show understanding while listening.

Hoohokekyo is the iconic sound of the Japanese bush warbler (uguisu), heavily associated with the arrival of spring.

A high-pitched, delicate chirping or cheeping sound made by small birds or insects.

Kanakana represents the melancholic, ringing sound of the evening cicada, and is also used as a colloquial name for the insect itself.

The sound of a cat purring affectionately, or a person acting sweet and fawning like a cat.

The rhythmic clip-clop sound of horse hooves.

ゲコゲコ is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a deep, throaty frog croak.

This word mimics the loud trumpeting sound made by an elephant.

Describes the lively, high-pitched chirping of small birds, or people chattering loudly and incessantly.

Kunkun describes the repetitive sound of sniffing to investigate a scent or the soft whining sound of a small animal.