Entry
キャン
kyan
キャン is an onomatopoeia for a high-pitched bark or yap of a small dog, or a sharp yelp of sudden pain or surprise.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is a giseigo (phonomime) most commonly associated with puppies or small breed dogs yapping. It is also used when a dog (or sometimes another animal) suddenly yelps or squeals due to pain, fear, or being startled.
- small dog yapping
- yelp of surprise or pain
Sense Map
Small Dog Barking
Yapping with a high pitch, often used for puppies or small breed dogs.
子犬がキャンキャン吠える。
Yelping in Pain
Yelping or squealing because of being startled, afraid, or feeling sudden pain.
キャンと鳴いて逃げた。
Usage Note
How to Use
キャンと + verb
Used with verbs like 鳴く (naku - to cry/sound) to indicate a single, sharp yelp or yap.
キャンキャン + verb
The repeated form indicates continuous yapping, commonly used with 吠える (hoeru - to bark).
キャインと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
キャンと鳴く
to yelp / to let out a yelp
キャンキャン吠える
to yap continuously
キャインと泣く
to whine / to squeal
キャンキャンうるさい
noisily yapping
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Small dogs yapping | neutral | Usually repeated as キャンキャン to show continuous noise. |
| Pain or surprise | negative | Usually a single キャン or the drawn-out キャイン to show sudden pain. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
わん わん / nearby | Used for a standard, neutral dog bark. | ワン is a regular bark, while キャン is a high-pitched yap or yelp. | 犬がワンと吠える。 |
こんこん こんこん / nearby | Used for the sound of a fox crying or yelping. | While both can mean 'yelp', コンコン is specifically for foxes in Japanese folklore, whereas キャン is for dogs. | キツネがコンコンと鳴く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a large dog's bark.
Large dogs sound like バウバウ or ウォン. キャン is only for small dogs or high-pitched yelps.
Assuming it is only a casual communication bark.
It is also strongly associated with a sudden yelp of pain or surprise.
Examples
Examples
子犬がキャンキャン吠える。
こいぬがキャンキャンほえる。
The puppy is yapping away.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a small dog.
足を踏まれた犬が、キャンと鳴いて逃げた。
あしをふまれたいぬが、キャンとないてにげた。
The dog whose paw was stepped on yelped and ran away.
LiteralDescribes sudden pain.
キャインと泣き声を上げて、犬は机の下に隠れた。
キャインとなきごえをあげて、いぬはつくえのしたにかくれた。
Letting out a whimper, the dog hid under the desk.
LiteralUses the variation キャイン to show fear.
小さな犬がキャンキャンと騒いでいる。
ちいさないぬがキャンキャンとさわいでいる。
The small dog is making a fuss, yapping noisily.
LiteralEmphasizes a noisy atmosphere.
突然の大きな音に、犬がキャンと短く鳴いた。
とつぜんのおおきなおとに、いぬがキャンとみじかくないた。
Surprised by the sudden loud noise, the dog gave a short yelp.
LiteralDescribes a momentary reaction of surprise.
Similar Words
ワン
wan
Standard dog bark.
Questions
Can this be used for large dogs?
No, it is not used for the deep barks of large dogs. It is exclusively for the high-pitched yaps of small dogs or puppies.
Why is it sometimes written as キャイン instead of キャン?
キャイン represents a slightly longer, more drawn-out whine or yelp, usually showing submission or continuing pain, whereas キャン is sharp and brief.
Can this be used for humans?
Generally not for physical human sounds; its primary usage is strongly tied to animals.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2523810
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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