Entry
ジャカジャカ
jakajaka
ジャカジャカ describes the loud, energetic strumming of stringed instruments, or a noisy sound that continues relentlessly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia primarily evokes the sound of someone strumming a guitar or similar stringed instrument with a lot of energy and volume. Because it suggests a continuous, loud output, it is also used more broadly to describe music blaring from speakers or any noisy, relentless action that goes on and on without pausing.
- loud strumming of stringed instruments
- blaring music
- continuous noisy action
Sense Map
Loud Instrument Playing
Describes playing a musical instrument, especially strumming a guitar, loudly and with rough energy.
ギターをジャカジャカと弾く
Incessant Noise
Describes loud sounds or music blaring continuously and relentlessly, sometimes to the point of being a nuisance.
音楽がジャカジャカ鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
ジャカジャカ(と) + verb
ジャカジャカ + verb
Modifies general verbs to show that a noisy action is happening relentlessly on and on.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ギターをジャカジャカ弾く
to strum a guitar loudly
音楽をジャカジャカ鳴らす
to blare music
ジャカジャカと響く
to resound noisily
ピアノをジャカジャカ弾く
to bang loudly on the piano
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Playing stringed instruments | neutral or slightly critical | Shows enthusiasm and energy, but can imply a lack of skill or finesse if the focus is purely on the loud noise. |
| Music from speakers | negative | Often used to complain about neighbors or shops playing music too loudly and continuously. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゃんじゃか じゃんじゃか / similar | Use to emphasize doing any action continuously and vigorously, not just making musical sounds. | じゃんじゃか is broader and often describes things like eating, spending money, or complaining incessantly, whereas ジャカジャカ focuses more on rhythmic, loud noises. | じゃんじゃかお金を使う |
じゃんじゃん じゃんじゃん / nearby | Use for continuous, successive actions or the loud clanging of bells. | じゃんじゃん does not usually refer to strumming stringed instruments, and is very common for encouraging someone to do something repeatedly (e.g., drink more, eat more). | じゃんじゃん飲んで |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to compliment a beautiful, delicate musical performance.
ジャカジャカ implies loud, rough, or noisy strumming, so it sounds out of place for gentle or refined music.
Using it for continuous actions that make no sound.
Because of its phonomimetic nature (giongo), it inherently describes something that produces a noticeable, often loud, noise.
Examples
Examples
彼は部屋でギターをジャカジャカと弾いている。
かれはへやでギターをジャカジャカとひいている。
He is strumming his guitar loudly in his room.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a guitar played loudly and with energy.
隣の部屋から激しい音楽がジャカジャカ聞こえてくる。
となりのへやからはげしいおんがくがジャカジャカきこえてくる。
Intense music comes blaring loudly from the next room.
LiteralUsed for music played at a very high and disturbing volume.
祭りの間、太鼓や鐘の音がジャカジャカと鳴り続けた。
まつりのあいだ、たいこやかねのおとがジャカジャカとなりつづけた。
During the festival, the sound of drums and bells kept clanging loudly on and on.
LiteralIndicates the continuous noisy sound of percussion instruments.
車のスピーカーからラジオがジャカジャカ流れている。
くるまのスピーカーからラジオがジャカジャカながれている。
The radio is blaring noisily from the car's speakers.
LiteralDescribes a radio broadcast set to a very high volume.
彼女はピアノをジャカジャカ弾いてストレスを発散した。
かのじょはピアノをジャカジャカひいてストレスをはっさんした。
She relieved her stress by banging on the piano loudly.
LiteralImplies rough playing without caring about the melody, just to make a loud noise.
Similar Words
じゃんじゃか
janjaka
Loudly strumming a musical instrument, or doing an action vigorously and continuously without hesitation. Broader for any incessant activity, not just music.
じゃんじゃん
janjan
じゃんじゃん describes doing something freely, vigorously, and continuously without holding back, or the loud clanging sound of a bell. More common for bell sounds or doing consecutive actions rapidly.
Questions
Can I use ジャカジャカ for wind instruments like a flute?
Generally no. It specifically mimics the rhythmic strumming of strings or rhythmic banging, so it doesn't fit the smooth blowing sound of wind instruments.
Is it rude to say someone is playing the guitar ジャカジャカ?
It can be. It suggests they are playing loudly and energetically, which might imply they are being noisy or unrefined, depending on the context.
What is the difference between ジャカジャカ and ジャンジャン (janjan)?
While both indicate continuous sound, ジャカジャカ strongly evokes rhythmic strumming or blaring music, whereas ジャンジャン is often used for clanging bells or for continuous non-sound actions like spending money.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2867186
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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