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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 ContextsNuanceUsage Note
Dog barkingNeutralThe standard Japanese representation of a dog's bark.
CryingNeutral/SympatheticImplies a complete loss of emotional control, leading to loud wailing.
Calling a dogChildishUsed by adults only when talking to babies or toddlers.

Similar Words

Comparison Table

Similar WordsWhen to UseNot the Same asMini 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.

Source: Internal

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.

Source: Internal

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.

Source: Internal

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.

Source: Internal

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.

Source: Internal

Similar Words

ワン

wan

similar

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
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Review notes
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Active language
English
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