Entry
ぴよぴよ
piyopiyo
Represents the high-pitched peeping or chirping of chicks, as well as frail, gentle movements.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the 'cheep cheep' or 'peep' sound made by baby birds, especially chicks. By extension, it also describes moving in a gentle, frail, or unsteady manner, akin to a baby bird finding its footing.
- Peeping sound of baby birds
- Frail, unsteady, or gentle movement
Sense Map
Bird Sounds
Mimics the high-pitched peeping or chirping sound made by chicks and baby birds.
ヒヨコがぴよぴよ鳴く
Gentle Movement
Describes walking or moving unsteadily, gently, or frailly, like a helpless baby bird.
ぴよぴよ付いていく
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴよぴよ鳴く
Directly modifies the verb 鳴く (to chirp/cry) to specify the sound being made.
ぴよぴよと鳴く
The particle と is added to quote or emphasize the acoustic nature of the sound.
ぴよぴよする
Used as a verb to mean 'to make a peeping sound' or 'to act helplessly like a baby bird'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴよぴよ鳴く
to chirp / to peep (chick)
ぴよぴよと鳴く
to cry 'cheep cheep'
ぴよぴよ歩く
to walk unsteadily/gently
ぴよぴよする
to peep / act frailly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Animal sounds | Cute and small | Primarily evokes newly hatched chicks. |
| Human movement | Frail, unsteady, innocent | Often used metaphorically for inexperienced people or toddlers following someone around. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちゅんちゅん ちゅんちゅん / similar | Used generally for small adult birds chirping, such as sparrows. | Not used for chicks; ぴよぴよ is strictly for baby poultry and very young birds. | スズメがチュンチュン鳴く |
ぴょこぴょこ ぴょこぴょこ / similar | For light, small jumping or up-and-down movements (like a frog or rabbit). | Focuses on the bouncing/jumping motion, not on vocal sounds or helpless frailty. | ぴょこぴょこ跳ねる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for all types of birds.
It is specific to baby birds and chicks. Small adult birds usually go チュンチュン.
Using it for mice.
Mice squeak using チューチュー, not ぴよぴよ.
Examples
Examples
ヒヨコがぴよぴよと鳴いている。
ヒヨコがぴよぴよとないている。
The chick is peeping 'piyopiyo'.
LiteralThe most common and literal usage for the sound of a chick.
どこからか、ぴよぴよという可愛い声が聞こえる。
どこからか、ぴよぴよというかわいいこえがきこえる。
I can hear a cute peeping sound from somewhere.
LiteralUsed to describe the specific type of sound being heard.
子供のおもちゃからぴよぴよと音が鳴った。
こどものおもちゃからぴよぴよとおとがなった。
A peeping sound came from the child's toy.
LiteralCan also be used for toys that mimic animal sounds or toddlers' footsteps.
親鳥の後ろを、ひながぴよぴよと歩いている。
おやどりのうしろを、ひながぴよぴよとあるいている。
The chick is tottering gently behind the parent bird.
VisualDescribes walking gently and unsteadily, appearing frail like a baby bird.
彼女は頼りなくぴよぴよと付いてきた。
かのじょはたよりなくぴよぴよとついてきた。
She followed behind unsteadily like a helpless baby bird.
FigurativeFigurative use to describe a person (usually a novice or child) following someone insecurely.
Similar Words
チュンチュン
chunchun
Used for adult small birds like sparrows.
ぴょこぴょこ
pyokopyoko
Light jumping movements, unlike the unsteady tottering of ぴよぴよ.
Questions
Can I use ぴよぴよ for a crow?
No. Crows go カーカー. ぴよぴよ is only for small baby birds.
Does it only describe sound?
No, it can also describe frail, tottering, or gentle movements, similar to how a newly hatched chick walks.
Can it be used to describe an inexperienced person?
Yes, it is sometimes used metaphorically to describe a novice or someone acting helplessly, similar to a baby bird.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454480
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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