Entry
ピッ
pi
ピッ is an onomatopoeia that represents a short, sharp electronic beep or blip.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the high-pitched, single-burst electronic sound typically emitted when pressing a digital button, scanning a barcode, or interacting with modern appliances. It signals a momentary digital confirmation.
- Short electronic beep
- Scanning sound
Sense Map
Buttons & Appliances
Describes a single, sharp beep emitted when an electronic device is turned on, or a button is pressed.
ボタンをピッと押す。
Scanning Process
The sound emitted when scanning something, such as a smart card at a ticket gate or a barcode at a register.
カードをピッとかざす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ピッと + 鳴る/音がする
Used to express that an electronic device emitted a short beep.
ピッと + Action Verb
Used with actions like 押す (press) or かざす (scan/hold up) that inherently trigger this brief electronic sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ピッと鳴る
to beep
ピッと音がする
to make a beep sound
ピッとかざす
to scan with a beep
ピッと押す
to press with a beep
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Registers & Ticket Gates | neutral | Indicates a successful scan or card read, functioning as an auditory confirmation. |
| Home Appliances | neutral | Signals that a cycle is complete (like a microwave) or a user input was successfully registered. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴーぴー ぴーぴー / similar | When an alarm, warning sound, or kettle continues to emit noise repeatedly. | Not just a single short blip, but continuous or repeated high-pitched sounds. | やかんがピーピー鳴る |
ぶー ぶー / similar | When a low-pitched buzzer sounds, often indicating a wrong answer or an error. | It is a low, buzzing tone rather than a sharp, high-pitched electronic blip. | 不正解でブーと鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Thinking this word can be used for high-pitched animal sounds, like birds.
For birds chirping, use ピーピー or ちゅんちゅん. ピッ is exclusively for machines or short whistle blows.
Using this word to describe an ongoing, loud alarm siren.
ピッ describes a very brief, instantaneous blip. A long, continuous electronic sound would be ピー.
Examples
Examples
レジで商品をピッとスキャンした。
レジで しょうひんを ピッと スキャンした。
I scanned the product with a beep at the register.
LiteralShows the short sound indicating a barcode was successfully read.
電子レンジがピッと鳴って、温めが終わった。
でんしレンジが ピッと なって、あたためが おわった。
The microwave beeped, indicating the heating was finished.
LiteralTypical usage for a completion alarm from a home appliance.
改札機にカードをピッとかざす。
かいさつきに カードを ピッと かざす。
Holding the smart card over the ticket gate with a beep.
LiteralThe word 'kaza-su' means holding something over a sensor, immediately triggering the beep.
リモコンのボタンをピッと押してテレビを消した。
リモコンの ボタンを ピッと おして テレビを けした。
I pressed the remote control button with a beep and turned off the TV.
LiteralDescribes an everyday interaction with a device that makes an electronic sound upon input.
体温計がピッと鳴って、熱を測り終えた。
たいおんけいが ピッと なって、ねつを はかりおえた。
The thermometer beeped, finishing measuring the temperature.
LiteralVery common in daily life, health devices also use this sound for confirmation.
Similar Words
ピーピー
piipii
A word representing high-pitched repeated sounds like beeps or chirps, as well as figurative states like having diarrhea, being broke, or being a novice. Describes an ongoing continuous sound or long warning, opposite to a single short blip.
ブー
buu
A loud, flat noise such as an electronic buzzer, a car honk, or the sound for an incorrect answer. A low-pitched buzzer sound, typically used to indicate failure or a wrong answer.
ピコピコ
pikopiko
An electronic beeping sound or a small, rapid, repetitive twitching movement.
Questions
Can this be used for whistles?
Yes, a very short, sharp blow of a whistle (like from a sports referee) is often described with this sound.
What is the difference between ピッ and ピー?
ピッ is a single, extremely brief beep, whereas ピー is a continuous, drawn-out electronic sound.
Do I have to use the particle と after it?
Yes, it is typically followed by the particle と before a verb, as in 'ピッと鳴る' (pitto naru).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869844
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ニヘッ (nihe)
- Next entry
- ぴっ (pi)