Entry
ビュイーン
byuiin
The zooming or whizzing sound of something moving at an extremely high speed.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word describing the high-pitched, sustained sound of an object—such as a speeding car, airplane, or projectile—cutting through the air at extreme speed.
- A continuous zooming sound caused by extreme speed.
Sense Map
Flying Objects (Planes/Projectiles)
Describes the continuous sound of an object zooming through the air, like an airplane or a fired projectile.
飛行機がビュイーンと飛んでいく。
High-Speed Vehicles
Describes the whizzing sound of a motorized vehicle driving by very quickly.
スポーツカーがビュイーンと通り過ぎる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ビュイーンと + verb
Used as an adverb modifying action verbs like 飛ぶ (fly) or 走る (run/drive) to specify that the action was performed with a zooming, high-speed sound.
ビュイーンと + 音がする
Used to explicitly state that 'a zooming sound is heard'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ビュイーンと飛ぶ
fly with a zooming sound
ビュイーンと走る
drive/run zooming
ビュイーンと通り過ぎる
whiz by
ビュイーンと音がする
make a zooming sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A speeding vehicle passing by | Neutral / Surprised | Highlights the suddenness and shock of a vehicle zooming past at an alarming speed. |
| Describing action (e.g., rockets or sci-fi vehicles) | Enthusiastic | Often used hyperbolically by children or in casual, animated storytelling. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びゅんびゅん びゅんびゅん / similar | Use when multiple objects whiz by consecutively, or an action is repeated quickly like swinging a stick. | ビュイーン is a single, continuous, extended sound, whereas ビュンビュン refers to repeated whizzes. | 車がビュンビュン行き交う。 |
ひゅー ひゅー / similar | Use for the whistling sound of the wind blowing or a small, light object swooshing through the air. | ビュイーン suggests intense mechanical power and speed, unlike the gentle or airy feel of ヒュー. | 風がヒューと吹く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for quiet, slow movements.
This word requires extreme speed and a distinctly audible, high-pitched air-cutting sound.
Dropping the elongation marks (writing ビュイン).
The elongated vowel marks ('ー') are crucial for imitating the extended, sustained sound of the passing object.
Examples
Examples
飛行機が空をビュイーンと飛んでいった。
ひこうきがそらをビュイーンととんでいった。
The airplane zoomed through the sky.
LiteralThe most basic usage to describe the zooming sound of an airplane.
スポーツカーが目の前をビュイーンと通り過ぎた。
スポーツカーがめのまえをビュイーンととおりすぎた。
The sports car whizzed past right in front of me.
LiteralUsed to express the sudden speed of a motorized vehicle passing close by.
ロケットがビュイーンと音を立てて消えた。
ロケットがビュイーンとおとをたててきえた。
The rocket disappeared with a sharp zooming sound.
LiteralSpecifying the sound enhances the dramatic impression of high speed.
ロボットがビュイーンと空に向かって上昇した。
ロボットがビュイーンとそらにむかってじょうしょうした。
The robot zoomed upward into the sky.
VisualHighlights both the mechanical sound and the visual action of rising quickly.
投げたボールがビュイーンと風を切って飛んだ。
なげたボールがビュイーンとかぜをきってとんだ。
The thrown ball whizzed through the air, cutting the wind.
LiteralShows the extreme power and speed of a projectile like a hard-thrown ball.
Similar Words
ビュンビュン
byunbyun
ビュンビュン describes a strong, continuous whooshing or whizzing sound made by something moving very quickly through the air. Describes repeated whizzing sounds, as opposed to a single sustained sound.
ヒュー
hyuu
Describes a sharp whistling sound made by strong wind or a fast-moving object whizzing through the air. The sound of whistling wind or a light object passing.
Questions
Can ビュイーン be used for a human running?
In reality, humans do not make this sound. However, in anime, manga, or comedic situations, it can be used to exaggerate someone running as fast as a machine.
Is this a formal word?
No, it is a very casual onomatopoeia used mostly in daily conversation, storytelling, and comic books.
Why does it have two elongated vowel marks?
The double marks (ー) represent a sustained vowel sound, mimicking the prolonged auditory trail of a speeding object zooming from one end to the other.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2761790
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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