Entry
チューチュー
chuuchuu
The squeaking sound of a mouse or the continuous sound of sucking liquid through a straw.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
チューチュー is an onomatopoeia with two main uses. It represents the high-pitched squeaking of mice or chirping of chicks. It also describes the sound of sucking or slurping a liquid continuously, such as drinking juice through a straw.
- Squeaking of mice or chirping of chicks.
- Slurping or sucking liquids (e.g., through a straw).
- A mouse (in children's language).
Sense Map
Animal Squeak
The squeaking of a mouse or the chirping of a chick.
ネズミがチューチュー鳴く
Sucking Liquid
Sucking or slurping liquid continuously, usually with a straw.
ストローでチューチュー吸う
Mouse (Noun)
A child's word for a mouse.
チューチューが走る
Usage Note
How to Use
チューチュー（と）鳴く
チューチュー（と）吸う
チューチュー（名詞）
How to Use
Common Phrases
チューチュー鳴く
to squeak (mice) / to cheep
チューチュー吸う
to suck (liquid)
チューチュー飲む
to drink with a slurp (through a straw)
ネズミがチューチュー
mice squeaking
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Mouse squeaking | neutral | The standard onomatopoeia for mice in Japanese, often appearing in children's books. |
| Sucking through a straw | casual | Describes the continuous sound of suction. Often used when talking to children about drinking juice. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちゅんちゅん ちゅんちゅん / similar | Used for the lively chirping of small birds, especially sparrows. | Not used for mice squeaking or the sound of sucking liquids. | スズメがチュンチュン鳴く |
ちゅるちゅる ちゅるちゅる / similar | Used for smoothly slurping long foods like noodles or sipping drinks. | Focuses on the smooth sliding of the food/drink, unlike the continuous strong suction implied by this word. | うどんをちゅるちゅる食べる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for slurping hot noodles.
Use ズルズル or ちゅるちゅる for noodles. This word is for sucking continuously, like through a straw.
Thinking it applies to all squeaking animals.
It is strongly associated with mice and sometimes chicks. For cats use ニャーニャー, and for dogs ワンワン.
Examples
Examples
ネズミが屋根裏でチューチュー鳴いている。
ネズミが やねうらで チューチュー ないている。
Mice are squeaking in the attic.
LiteralDescribes the typical sound of mice.
子供がストローでジュースをチューチュー飲んでいる。
こどもが ストローで ジュースを チューチュー のんでいる。
The child is slurping juice through a straw.
LiteralFocuses on the suction sound from the straw.
蝶が花の蜜をチューチュー吸っている。
ちょうが はなのみつを チューチュー すっている。
A butterfly is sucking nectar from a flower.
LiteralCan be used for insects sucking nectar.
公園でチューチューが走っているのを見た。
こうえんで チューチューが はしっているのを みた。
I saw a mouse running in the park.
LiteralUsed as a baby-talk noun for a mouse.
巣の中でヒナがチューチューと鳴いている。
すの なかで ヒナが チューチューと ないている。
The chicks are cheeping inside the nest.
LiteralAlso applies to the chirping of baby birds.
Similar Words
チュンチュン
chunchun
Chirping of small birds, distinct from the squeak of mice.
ちゅるちゅる
churuchuru
Sound of smoothly slurping noodles or drinks.
Questions
Can I use this word for a person slurping soup?
No, it implies sucking through a small opening like a straw. For soup or noodles, use ズルズル.
Is it polite to use this in a business setting?
No. When referring to drinking, it sounds very casual and slightly childish. In formal settings, simply use the verb nomu (to drink).
Why do some people call a mouse chu-chu?
In Japanese children's language, animals are often called by the sound they make, similar to calling a dog a bow-wow.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2040110
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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