Entry
あーん
aan
あーん means to open one's mouth wide (like saying 'aah') or describes the loud crying of a baby.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word あーん has two primary meanings. First, it mimics the action of opening the mouth wide while saying 'aah', commonly used when feeding a child or at the dentist. Second, it describes the loud, uninhibited crying or wailing of a baby or small child.
- Opening mouth to eat/be examined
- Loud crying of a child
Sense Map
Opening Mouth (Aah)
Used when prompting someone, usually a child, to open their mouth wide for food or a dental exam.
大きくあーんと口を開ける。
Crying Loudly
Describes the loud wailing or bawling sound made by a baby or small child.
赤ちゃんがあーんと泣く。
Usage Note
How to Use
あーんと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs like to open (開ける) or to cry (泣く).
あーんする
Functions as a verb meaning to perform the action of opening the mouth wide.
あーんと口を開ける
How to Use
Common Phrases
あーんと口を開ける
to open one's mouth wide
あーんと泣き出す
to burst into loud tears
「あーんして」と言う
to say 'open wide' (say aah)
大きくあーんと口を開く
to open one's mouth very wide
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Feeding a child or at the dentist | positive | Used affectionately by adults to prompt a child to cooperate and open their mouth. |
| A child throwing a tantrum | neutral | Simply describes the loud, open-mouthed vocalization of a crying child. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
わんわん わんわん / similar | When focusing on the sheer volume of crying, usually accompanied by many tears. | Cannot be used for the action of opening the mouth for food. | ワンワン泣く |
ぱくぱく ぱくぱく / contrast | When focusing on the repetitive opening and closing of the mouth to eat. | Does not mean to cry or to hold the mouth open steadily. | ぱくぱく食べる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using あーん to describe an adult crying in a tragic situation.
あーん sounds childish. For adults, use expressions like crying loudly (大声で泣く) depending on the situation.
Using あーん to describe a door opening wide.
This word is strictly used for mouths.
Examples
Examples
歯医者さんで、あーんと口を開けた。
はいしゃさんで、[あーん]と くちを あけた。
At the dentist, I opened my mouth wide.
VisualCommon context when getting a dental exam.
お母さんが「あーんして」とスプーンを口に近づけた。
おかあさんが「[あーん]して」と スプーンを くちに ちかづけた。
The mother brought the spoon close to the mouth and said, 'Say aah.'
LiteralUsed when feeding a toddler.
転んだ子供が、あーんと大声で泣き出した。
ころんだ こどもが、[あーん]と おおごえで なきだした。
The child who fell started bawling loudly.
LiteralDescribes the sound of breaking into loud tears from shock or pain.
大きくあーんと口を開けて、ハンバーガーを食べた。
おおきく [あーん]と くちを あけて、ハンバーガーを たべた。
I opened my mouth wide and took a bite of the hamburger.
VisualThe action of opening the mouth wide for a large piece of food.
迷子になった男の子が、道端であーんと泣いている。
まいごに なった おとこのこが、みちばたで [あーん]と ないている。
The lost boy is wailing on the side of the road.
LiteralContinuous, uninhibited crying.
Similar Words
ワンワン
wanwan
ワンワン (wanwan) is the sound of a dog barking repeatedly or the sound of someone crying and bawling loudly. Emphasizes the loud volume of the crying.
ぱくぱく
pakupaku
Describes the repeated opening and closing of a mouth, or the action of eating heartily and continuously. Emphasizes opening and closing the mouth to eat.
わあわあ
waawaa
わあわあ describes the loud sound of wailing, like a crying baby, or the noisy clamor of people making a fuss.
Questions
Can I use あーん for adults?
Generally no, unless used jokingly (like romantically feeding a partner) or literally at the dentist.
What are the characteristics of crying described by this word?
It emphasizes the wide-open mouth and the long 'aah' vocalization typical of a baby, rather than just the volume of the sound.
Can I use あーん for an animal opening its mouth?
Yes, it can sometimes be used playfully for pets opening their mouths wide.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2277880
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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