Entry
ぴゅう
pyuu
ぴゅう describes the sharp whistling or swooshing sound of something moving rapidly through the air.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express a high-pitched 'whiz' or 'swoosh'. It most commonly applies to fast-moving projectiles like arrows, bullets, or stones cutting through the air, or to a sharp, cold wind blowing with a whistling noise.
- Whizzing sound of a fast projectile
- Whistling sound of a sharp wind
Sense Map
Fast Projectile
Describes an object moving so fast it cuts the air.
矢がぴゅうと飛ぶ。
Whistling Wind
Describes the sound of a sharp, high-pitched wind blowing.
風がぴゅうと吹く。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴゅうと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like flying or blowing) occurs with a whistling or swooshing sound.
ぴゅんと + verb
A variant that emphasizes the suddenness and extreme speed of the motion.
ピューッと + verb
An emphatic form (often written in katakana) indicating a slightly longer or more intense swooshing sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴゅうと飛ぶ
to fly with a whoosh
風がぴゅうと吹く
the wind blows with a whistle
ぴゅんと通り過ぎる
to zip past
ピューッと鳴る
to make a whistling sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Thrown or fired objects | neutral | Highlights the quick, clean trajectory of a projectile. |
| Windy weather | neutral | Often creates a chilly or lonely atmosphere when used to describe the winter wind whistling through gaps. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びゅーびゅー びゅーびゅー / similar | Use when describing a very strong, continuous, howling wind or gale. | Unlike ぴゅう which is a sharp, often singular swoosh or whistle, ビュービュー is a continuous, loud, heavy howling. | 風がビュービュー吹く。 |
ひゅー ひゅー / similar | Use for a whistling sound or swoosh, very similar to ぴゅう. | They are nearly identical, but ぴゅう can sometimes sound slightly sharper or more abrupt than ヒュー. | ヒューと風が鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for slow-moving objects.
This word strictly implies high speed that causes air resistance and noise.
Confusing it with the sound of an impact.
It only describes the travel through the air, not the 'thud' or 'bang' when it hits a target.
Examples
Examples
矢がぴゅうと飛んでいった。
やがぴゅうととんでいった。
The arrow flew with a swoosh.
LiteralShows the high speed of the projectile (arrow) cutting through the air.
冷たい風がぴゅうと吹いた。
つめたいかぜがぴゅうとふいた。
A cold wind blew with a sharp whistle.
LiteralDescribes a sharp, strong gust of winter wind.
石がぴゅんと頭の上を通り過ぎた。
いしがぴゅんとあたまのうえをとおりすぎた。
A stone zipped right over my head.
LiteralUses the variant 'pyun' to emphasize the extreme suddenness of the stone passing.
スケートの選手がピューッと滑り抜けた。
すけーとのせんしゅがピューっとすべりぬけた。
The skater swooshed past.
VisualDescribes the visual speed of a person moving as fast as the wind.
隙間から風がぴゅうと入り込む。
すきまからかぜがぴゅうといりこむ。
The wind whistled in through the cracks.
LiteralAir forced through a small gap often creates this high-pitched whistling noise.
Similar Words
ビュービュー
byuubyuu
The loud, howling sound of a fierce wind, or the sound of heavy wheezing. The continuous, howling sound of a strong gale or storm wind.
ヒュー
hyuu
Describes a sharp whistling sound made by strong wind or a fast-moving object whizzing through the air. A very similar whistling wind or swooshing sound, sometimes slightly less sharp.
Questions
Can I use ぴゅう for bird sounds?
No, bird chirps are usually ピーピー (pii-pii) or チュンチュン (chun-chun). ぴゅう is for inanimate things cutting the air.
What is the difference between ぴゅう and ぴゅん?
They are very similar. ぴゅん (pyun) sounds more abrupt and sudden, emphasizing the sheer speed of an object zipping by.
Is it natural to use this in formal writing?
It is an onomatopoeia, so it is more common in descriptive literature, conversation, manga, and casual writing rather than strict formal documents.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2563590
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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