Entry
プー
puu
プー (puu) represents a flat, sustained sound of air or gas being expelled, such as a toot, honk, or puff.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, プー (puu) is a mimetic word used to describe a flat, continuous sound of air escaping or being forced through an opening. It is commonly used for the tooting of a trumpet, the honking of a car horn, the sound of blowing up a balloon, or a flatulence noise.
- toot (horn, trumpet)
- sound of inflating a balloon
- flatulence sound
Sense Map
Horn or Trumpet
Used for the sustained, flat sound of a car horn, buzzer, or blowing into a wind instrument like a trumpet.
トランペットをプーと吹く
Air Escaping / Inflating
Describes the sound of air being forced out or steadily blown into something, such as inflating a balloon.
風船をプーッと膨らませる
Flatulence
An informal, lighthearted, and slightly comical sound imitating flatulence.
プーとオナラをする
Usage Note
How to Use
プーと + verb
プーッと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
プーと鳴る
to sound with a 'puu' (like a horn or buzzer)
プーと吹く
to blow into (an instrument) with a toot
プーッと膨らませる
to inflate (a balloon) with a steady puff
プーとオナラをする
to pass gas (making a 'puu' sound)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wind Instruments | neutral | Implies a flat, steady toot, often when someone is just practicing or blowing air casually without forming a melody. |
| Flatulence | informal | Comical and mostly used by or with children; it is not typically offensive but remains informal. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴーぴー ぴーぴー / contrast | Use for high-pitched, sharp, and repeating electronic sounds or whistles. | プー is lower, flatter, and often a single continuous sound, unlike the sharp and repeating ピーピー. | ピーピーと鳴る |
ぶー ぶー / similar | Use for heavier, vibrating sounds, like a buzzer or to indicate a wrong answer in a quiz show. | プー is a clean expulsion of air, while ブー implies heavy vibration or a harsher tone. | ブーと鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for high-pitched electronic alarms.
Use ピー (pii) instead for high-pitched, piercing alarms.
Using it to describe a loud explosion.
プー is strictly for expelled air (like a toot or puff), not explosive impacts like ドカン (dokan).
Examples
Examples
後ろの車がプーとクラクションを鳴らした。
うしろのくるまがプーとクラクションをならした。
The car behind honked its horn 'puu'.
LiteralUsed for a somewhat flat honking sound.
子供が楽しそうにラッパをプーと吹いている。
こどもがたのしそうにラッパをプーとふいている。
The child is happily tooting the trumpet 'puu'.
LiteralDescribes a simple, unmelodic tooting sound.
彼は顔を真っ赤にして、風船をプーッと膨らませた。
かれはかおをまっかにして、ふうせんをプーッとふくらませた。
His face turned bright red as he puffed 'puu' to inflate the balloon.
LiteralDescribes the sound of forced breath being expelled steadily.
おもちゃのお腹を押すと、プーと可愛らしい音がした。
おもちゃのおなかをおすと、プーとかわいらしいおとがした。
When you press the toy's stomach, it makes a cute 'puu' sound.
LiteralDescribes the flat sound produced by a squeaky toy when pressed.
電子レンジがプーと鳴って、温めが終わったことを知らせた。
でんしレンジがプーとなって、あたためがおわったことをしらせた。
The microwave beeped 'puu' to signal that the heating was done.
Literal'ピー' (pii) is also used for electronics, but 'puu' indicates a lower pitch.
Similar Words
ブー
buu
A loud, flat noise such as an electronic buzzer, a car honk, or the sound for an incorrect answer. Used for a heavier, harsher buzzer sound, or to indicate a wrong answer in a quiz show.
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. A higher, sharper repeating sound, like a whistle or a baby bird's peep.
パオーン
paoon
This word mimics the loud trumpeting sound made by an elephant.
Questions
Can プー be used for electronic devices?
Yes, it can describe a flat-toned beep or buzzer (like a microwave finishing), though 'ピー' (pii) is more common for high-pitched electronics.
What is the difference between プー (puu) and ブー (buu)?
'プー' is a softer, flat expulsion of air. 'ブー' implies a heavier vibration, a harsh buzzer, or a sign of a wrong answer.
Is it rude to use プー for flatulence?
No, it's a lighthearted, slightly childish mimetic word for the sound, similar to 'toot' in English.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2826715
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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