Entry
グルル
gururu
A low, guttural growl made by an animal like a dog or wolf to express anger or a warning.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia that represents the low, rumbling growl of an animal, beast, or monster. It typically conveys hostility, warning, or anger, often heard right before an attack.
- animal growl
- monster growling sound
Sense Map
Animal warning growl
A low growling sound from the throat of an angry dog or wolf.
犬がグルルと唸る
Beast/Monster sound
A sound effect in fiction for a beast or monster preparing to attack.
怪物がグルルと喉を鳴らす
Usage Note
How to Use
グルルと + verb
Used adverbially with verbs like 唸る (unaru - to growl) to describe the manner of the sound.
グルルという + noun
Modifies nouns like 声 (koe - voice/sound) to describe the sound itself.
How to Use
Common Phrases
グルルと唸る
to growl with a grrr sound
グルルと喉を鳴らす
to rumble in the throat
低くグルルと鳴く
to let out a low growl
グルルという声
a growling voice
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dogs and wolves | negative | Used when the animal feels threatened and is actively warning someone to stay away. |
| Monsters in manga or anime | negative | Frequently used as a visual or auditory sound effect to show a beast is lurking or preparing to strike. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がるる がるる / similar | When the growl is louder, highly aggressive, and vicious. | グルル is a lower, vibrating warning rumble, whereas ガルル sounds much more vicious and ready to bite immediately. | 犬がガルルと吠える |
うー うー / similar | When a dog makes a continuous, low-pitched warning growl. | ウー is a steady vocalization without a rolled 'r', while グルル has a distinct throat-rolling rumble. | ウーと低く唸る |
ごろごろ ごろごろ / contrast | When a cat is purring happily. | Both are throat sounds, but ゴロゴロ is relaxed and content (cats), while グルル is entirely hostile. | 猫が喉をゴロゴロ鳴らす |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe the rumbling of an empty stomach.
Use グーグー (guuguu) for stomach growls. グルル is strictly for angry animals.
Using it for a pet cat's happy purr.
Use ゴロゴロ (gorogoro) for purring cats. グルル implies hostility or aggression.
Examples
Examples
犬が私を見て、低くグルルと唸った。
いぬがわたしをみて、ひくくグルルとうなった。
The dog looked at me and let out a low growl.
LiteralDescribes the actual sound of a dog giving a warning.
暗闇の中で、獣のグルルという声が聞こえた。
くらやみのなかで、けもののグルルというこえがきこえた。
In the darkness, I heard the growling voice of a beast.
LiteralUsed to describe the voice of a wild beast.
その怪物はグルルと喉を鳴らして近づいてきた。
そのかいぶつはグルルとのどをならしてちかづいてきた。
The monster approached while growling in its throat.
LiteralCommon context found in fictional manga.
狼が獲物を前にしてグルルと鳴く。
おおかみがえものをまえにしてグルルとなく。
The wolf growls in front of its prey.
LiteralShows tension when an animal is hunting.
怒った犬は、歯を剥き出してグルルと唸り続けた。
おこったいぬは、はをむきだしてグルルとうなりつづけた。
The angry dog bared its teeth and continued to growl.
LiteralOften accompanied by threatening body language.
Similar Words
ガルル
garuru
A louder and more aggressive growl.
ウー
uu
A steady, sustained warning growl without a harsh vibration.
Questions
Can I use this word for humans?
Generally, no. It is reserved for animals and monsters. You might see it used metaphorically if a human is acting completely like a feral beast.
Is it written in hiragana or katakana?
It is almost exclusively written in katakana (グルル) because it represents a natural animal sound.
Can it be used for the sound of a machine?
No, this word is specifically used for living creatures or monsters. Other words are used for low mechanical sounds.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2777600
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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