Entry
ヒュー
hyuu
Describes a sharp whistling sound made by strong wind or a fast-moving object whizzing through the air.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia is used to describe high-pitched, sharp sounds, such as the howling of a strong winter wind or the sound of a projectile (like an arrow or ball) cutting rapidly through the air.
- sound of strong wind
- sound of a whizzing projectile
Sense Map
Wind Sound
Describes the sound of strong wind blowing or whistling through a gap.
木枯らしがヒューと吹く。
Projectile Whizzing
Describes the sharp sound of an object moving very fast through the air.
矢がヒューと飛んでいった。
Usage Note
How to Use
ヒューと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action of blowing or flying occurs.
ヒューッと + verb
Adds emphasis on the suddenness, force, or speed of the action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
風がヒューと吹く
wind blows whistling
ヒューッと飛んでいく
fly away with a whizz
矢がヒューと音を立てる
arrow makes a whizzing sound
ヒューと通り抜ける
pass through whistling
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sound of wind | Neutral | Often describes cold or lonely wind, like winter wind. |
| Fast projectiles | Neutral | Used for arrows, balls, or other objects cutting the air at high speed. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びゅーびゅー びゅーびゅー / similar | Used when the wind is blowing very strongly and continuously, like in a storm. | ヒュー focuses on a sharp, intermittent whistling sound, while ビュービュー is a continuous howling strong wind. | 風がビュービュー吹く。 |
ぴゅう ぴゅう / similar | Very similar to ヒュー, but sometimes gives the impression of a slightly narrower or higher-pitched sound. | They are often interchangeable when describing whistling wind or drafts. | すきま風がぴゅうと吹く。 |
びゅんびゅん びゅんびゅん / similar | Used for objects that fly by quickly multiple times or with great force. | ヒュー usually describes a single passing sound, while ビュンビュン suggests things passing by rapidly and repeatedly. | 車がビュンビュン通る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ヒュー for a person whistling a tune.
ヒュー is for wind or objects whizzing. For human whistling, use the phrase 口笛を吹く (kuchibue o fuku).
Interpreting ヒュー as the sound of a heavy impact.
ヒュー is only the sound of cutting through the air. For heavy impacts, use ドン (don).
Examples
Examples
冷たい風がヒューと吹いている。
つめたいかぜがヒューとふいている。
A cold wind is whistling.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a cold, strong wind blowing.
矢がヒューッと飛んでいった。
やがヒューッととんでいった。
The arrow flew away with a whizz.
LiteralUsing the small tsu variant to emphasize the speed of the arrow cutting through the air.
すきま風がヒューヒューと入ってくる。
すきまかぜがヒューヒューとはいってくる。
A draft is whistling in through the gap.
LiteralThe repetition indicates the continuous sound of the wind.
ボールが耳の横をヒューと通り過ぎた。
ボールがみみのよこをヒューととおりすぎた。
The ball whizzed past my ear.
LiteralShows how fast and close the object passed by.
木枯らしがヒューと鳴っている。
こがらしがヒューとなっている。
The cold winter wind is howling.
LiteralCombination with a verb meaning to make a sound (naru).
Similar Words
ビュンビュン
byunbyun
Objects passing rapidly and repeatedly.
Questions
Can ヒュー be used for a human whistling?
No, it is generally used for wind or objects cutting through the air. For a person whistling, use the word kuchibue.
What is the difference between ヒュー and ビュービュー?
ヒュー is a sharp, often singular whistling sound, while ビュービュー describes a continuous, howling strong wind.
Can I write ヒュー in hiragana?
Yes, ひゅー is acceptable, but katakana ヒュー is much more common as it represents a sound effect.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2523940
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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