Entry
ワンワン
wanwan
ワンワン (wanwan) is the sound of a dog barking repeatedly or the sound of someone crying and bawling loudly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word primarily represents a dog barking ('bow-wow' or 'woof'). Secondarily, it describes the sound of someone (usually a child) crying out loud in a bawling or wailing manner, as well as loud, echoing noises bouncing around a room. In child-directed speech, it is also used as a noun meaning 'doggy'.
- Sound of a dog barking.
- Sound of crying out loud or bawling.
- Sound echoing loudly.
- Childish word for 'doggy'.
Sense Map
Barking
Describes a dog barking loudly and repeatedly.
犬がワンワンと吠える
Bawling
Describes crying loudly and uncontrollably, often with tears.
子どもがワンワン泣く
Echoing
Describes a loud noise echoing or reverberating in an enclosed space or in one's head.
声がワンワン響く
Doggy (Noun)
Baby talk for a dog.
可愛いワンワンがいる
Usage Note
How to Use
ワンワン(と)吠える
Used with the verb 吠える (hoeru, to bark) to indicate continuous barking.
ワンワン(と)泣く
Used with 泣く (naku, to cry) to indicate bawling or weeping loudly.
ワンワン(と)響く
Used with 響く (hibiku, to echo) to express loud reverberation.
ワンワン + particle (as a noun)
How to Use
Common Phrases
犬がワンワン吠える
a dog barking bow-wow
大声でワンワン泣く
to bawl loudly
お風呂場でワンワン響く
to echo loudly in the bathroom
あそこにワンワンがいる
there is a doggy over there
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dog barking | Neutral | The standard Japanese representation of a dog's bark. |
| Crying | Neutral/Sympathetic | Implies a complete loss of emotional control, leading to loud wailing. |
| Calling a dog | Childish | Used by adults only when talking to babies or toddlers. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
わん わん / similar | Use for a single, short bark. | ワンワン implies continuous or repeated barking, while ワン is just a single 'woof'. | 犬がワンと鳴いた。 |
わあわあ わあわあ / similar | Use for loud crying or the clamor of a crowd. | Both can mean crying loudly, but ワンワン focuses on the explosive bawling aspect (often with lots of tears), whereas わあわあ can also refer to the noisy chatter of a crowd. | わあわあ泣く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ワンワン to mean 'dog' in formal contexts.
ワンワン means 'doggy' and is baby talk. Use 犬 (inu) when speaking with adults.
Applying ワンワン to the sound of cats or other animals.
This is strictly the sound a dog makes. Cats say ニャー (nyaa).
Examples
Examples
知らない人が来ると、うちの犬は激しくワンワンと吠える。
しらない ひと が くる と、 うち の いぬ は はげしく ワンワン と ほえる。
When a stranger comes, our dog barks bow-wow fiercely.
VisualDescribes the actual sound of a dog barking.
おもちゃを壊されて、子どもが大声でワンワン泣き出した。
おもちゃ を こわされて、 こども が おおごえ で ワンワン なきだした。
Because their toy was broken, the child started bawling loudly.
VisualDescribes explosive, loud crying of a child.
広いトンネルの中では、話す声がワンワンと響く。
ひろい トンネル の なか で は、 はなす こえ が ワンワン と ひびく。
Inside the wide tunnel, speaking voices echo loudly.
VisualShows how sound bounces around in an enclosed space.
ほら、あそこに可愛いワンワンがいるよ。
ほら、 あそこ に かわいい ワンワン が いる よ。
Look, there is a cute doggy over there.
LiteralUsage as a noun in baby talk to refer to a dog.
彼女は映画の悲しい結末を見て、声を上げてワンワン泣いた。
かのじょ は えいが の かなしい けつまつ を みて、 こえ を あげて ワンワン ないた。
She saw the sad ending of the movie and cried aloud, bawling.
FigurativeExample where an adult loses emotional control and cries loudly.
Similar Words
ワン
wan
Short, single bark.
Questions
Can adults cry 'wanwan'?
Yes, if an adult breaks down and bawls loudly without holding back, it can be described as ワンワン泣く.
Why is it used for both dogs and crying?
In Japanese mimetics, 'wan' captures a loud, resonant burst of sound. When repeated, it fits both a dog's continuous barking and the loud, rhythmic wailing of a crying child.
Is 'wanwan' a noun or an adverb?
It acts as an adverb (often taking 'to') when describing barking or crying, but it acts as a noun when used as baby talk for 'dog'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1149310
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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