Entry
ぴょんぴょん
pyonpyon
The light, repeated bouncing or hopping motion of small animals or joyful children.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A Japanese mimetic word (onomatopoeia) that describes a light, repeated jumping or hopping motion. It is most commonly associated with the way small animals like rabbits and frogs move, or how children jump up and down when they are excited.
- Small animals hopping
- Jumping up and down in joy
Sense Map
Animal Hopping
The light, repeated hopping or jumping of small animals such as rabbits or frogs.
うさぎがぴょんぴょん跳ねる。
Energetic Jumping
The energetic jumping or skipping of people, especially children, often to express happiness.
子供が嬉しそうにぴょんぴょんしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴょんぴょん跳ねる
The most standard pattern for describing a subject bouncing up and down or hopping in place.
ぴょんぴょん飛ぶ
ぴょんぴょんする
Commonly used when someone is bouncing around to express their excited emotions.
ぴょんぴょんと + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴょんぴょん跳ねる
to bounce up and down
ぴょんぴょん飛ぶ
to skip along; to hop away
ぴょんぴょんする
to jump around (often in excitement)
嬉しくてぴょんぴょんする
to jump for joy
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Animal movement | neutral | Most heavily associated with rabbits, frogs, and kangaroos. |
| Expressing happiness | positive | Describes people (especially young children) jumping up and down excitedly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴょこぴょこ ぴょこぴょこ / similar | Used for small, slightly clumsy, or comical up-and-down leaping movements. | While pyonpyon emphasizes the continuous bouncy action, pyokopyoko focuses on the bobbing up-and-down motion that can look slightly unsteady or cute. | カエルがぴょこぴょこ跳ねる。 |
ぴんぴん ぴんぴん / similar | Used for vigorous flopping (like fresh fish) or being full of lively energy. | Pyonpyon is strictly for hopping. Pinpin is for energetic flopping or describing someone who is remarkably healthy and spirited. | 魚がぴんぴん跳ねる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using pyonpyon for heavy jumps that make a loud noise.
Pyonpyon is exclusively for light, bouncy jumps. For a heavy jump, use words like 'doshin'.
Using it to describe a single long jump.
The repetition in pyonpyon implies multiple, consecutive hops. For a single hop, use 'pyon'.
Examples
Examples
庭でうさぎがぴょんぴょん跳ねている。
にわで うさぎが ぴょんぴょん はねている。
A rabbit is hopping around in the garden.
LiteralShows the natural movement of a small animal.
子供たちが公園をぴょんぴょん飛んで遊んでいる。
こどもたちが こうえんを ぴょんぴょん とんで あそんでいる。
The children are playing, skipping around the park.
LiteralDescribes children playing cheerfully.
彼女は合格の知らせを聞いて、嬉しさのあまりぴょんぴょんした。
かのじょは ごうかくの しらせを きいて、うれしさの あまり ぴょんぴょんした。
Hearing the news of her passing, she jumped up and down out of joy.
VisualExpressing happy emotions through physical movement.
カエルが蓮の葉の上をぴょんぴょんと渡っていく。
カエルが はすの はの うえを ぴょんぴょんと わたっていく。
The frog hops across the lotus leaves.
LiteralThe classic movement of a frog hopping from one point to another.
子犬がご主人の帰りを喜んでぴょんぴょんしている。
こいぬが ごしゅじんの かえりを よろこんで ぴょんぴょんしている。
The puppy is bouncing up and down, happy for its master's return.
VisualA pet expressing its affection.
Similar Words
ぴょこぴょこ
pyokopyoko
More focused on a slightly unsteady or cute bobbing up-and-down motion.
Questions
Which animals are most often described with pyonpyon?
It is most famously associated with rabbits and frogs. Small hopping birds or kangaroos can also be described with this word.
Can I use pyonpyon for human actions?
Yes, especially for children skipping rope or someone literally jumping up and down with excitement.
Does pyonpyon refer to a single jump?
No. The word implies multiple, consecutive jumps or hops. A single jump would be described with a single 'pyon'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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