Entry
にゃんにゃん
nyannyan
Nyan-nyan represents the sound of a cat meowing, is used as baby talk for 'kitty', and serves as older slang for physical intimacy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In its most basic form, nyan-nyan is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a cat's meow, comparable to 'meow' in English. Because of this, it is frequently used in baby talk to mean 'cat' or 'kitty'. In a completely different context—originating from 1980s slang—the verb form 'nyan-nyan suru' is used euphemistically to mean making out or having sexual intercourse.
- Cat's meow
- Kitty (baby talk)
- Making out (slang)
Sense Map
Cat Sound
The sound a cat makes.
猫がにゃんにゃん鳴いている。
Baby Talk
A childish word for a cat.
ほら、にゃんにゃんがいるよ。
Intimacy Slang
A euphemism for making out or having sex.
二人は隠れてにゃんにゃんしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
にゃんにゃん鳴く
Used with the verb 'to cry/sound' to describe a cat meowing.
にゃんにゃんする
Used as a verb to mean 'to meow', or as slang meaning 'to make out' or 'to have sex'.
にゃんにゃん言う
Literally 'to say meow', used when a cat is meowing persistently or someone is mimicking a cat.
にゃんにゃん + noun
Acts as a modifier before nouns, such as in 'nyan-nyan kotoba' (cutesy baby talk).
How to Use
Common Phrases
にゃんにゃん鳴く
to meow
可愛いニャンニャン
cute kitty
にゃんにゃんする
to make out / to act intimate
にゃんにゃん甘える
to fawn over someone like a kitten
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing animals | Childish / Cute | Used by or with children to point out a cat or describe its sound. |
| Describing couples | Slang / Suggestive | Acts as a euphemism for sex or heavy making out, popularized in the 1980s. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
にゃーにゃー にゃーにゃー / similar | Use when specifically focusing on the continuous meowing sound of a cat. | Does not mean 'kitty' as a noun, and lacks the slang meaning of intimacy. | 猫がにゃーにゃー鳴く。 |
いちゃいちゃ いちゃいちゃ / similar | Use for couples who are flirting, being lovey-dovey, or making out. | A standard word for flirting. Nyan-nyan is older slang for intimacy that comes from imitating kittens. | カップルがイチャイチャする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'nyan-nyan' to mean 'cat' in a formal conversation.
It is baby talk. Use 'neko' (猫) instead unless you are talking to a toddler.
Saying you want to 'nyan-nyan suru' with your pet.
While literally meaning 'to meow', 'nyan-nyan suru' is often interpreted as sexual slang. Avoid using it this way to prevent awkward misunderstandings.
Examples
Examples
猫がにゃんにゃんと鳴いている。
ねこ が にゃんにゃん と ないている。
The cat is meowing.
LiteralShows the basic usage for the sound of a cat.
あそこに可愛いニャンニャンがいるよ。
あそこ に かわいい ニャンニャン が いる よ。
There is a cute kitty over there.
LiteralShows its use as a noun in baby talk.
彼女は彼氏にニャンニャン甘えている。
かのじょ は かれし に ニャンニャン あまえている。
She is fawning over her boyfriend like a little kitten.
FigurativeShows figurative use of someone acting cutesy and spoiled.
あの二人はいつもにゃんにゃんしている。
あの ふたり は いつも にゃんにゃん している。
Those two are always being physically intimate.
FigurativeShows the slang meaning of physical intimacy.
夜中に猫がにゃんにゃん言っていて眠れない。
よなか に ねこ が にゃんにゃん いっていて ねむれない。
I can't sleep because the cat is meowing in the middle of the night.
LiteralUsed with the verb 'iu' (to say) when the cat's meowing is persistent or bothersome.
Similar Words
にゃーにゃー
nyaanyaa
The sound of a cat meowing, or a child's word for a cat. Pure cat sound without the slang meaning.
にゃー
nyaa
にゃー is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound a cat makes, equivalent to the English word meow.
イチャイチャ
ichaicha
Couples being physically affectionate, flirting, or acting lovey-dovey with each other. Standard word for flirting or making out.
Questions
Is 'nyan-nyan' a bad word?
No, it's primarily the harmless sound of a cat. However, as a verb ('nyan-nyan suru'), it is slang for physical intimacy, so be mindful of the context.
Can adults say 'nyan-nyan' for a cat?
Adults usually say 'neko' (cat) or 'nyaa' (meow). Using 'nyan-nyan' sounds very childish, like saying 'kitty-cat' or 'meow-meow' in English.
Where does the slang meaning come from?
It became popular in the 1980s via Japanese television and media as a cute euphemism for sex, comparing intimate behavior to fawning kittens.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1648200
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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