Japanese sound symbolism - part 2 - final part.

They can be classified into three main categories:

• Phonomime or onomatopoeia (擬声語 giseigo or 擬音語 giongo)

words that mimic actual sounds. Giseigo refers to sounds made by living things, while Giongo refers to sounds made by inanimate objects.

• Phenomime (擬態語 gitaigo)

mimetic words to represent non-auditory senses.

• Psychomime (also called 擬態語 gitaigo or 擬情語 gijōgo)

mimetic words that represent psychological states or bodily feelings.

 

Some examples

Sound Symbolism	Meaning
じろじろ(と)[見る] jirojiro (to) [miru]	[see] intently (= stare)
きらきら(と)[光る] kirakira (to) [hikaru]	[shine] sparklingly
ぎらぎら(と)[光る] giragira (to) [hikaru]	[shine] dazzlingly
どきどき[する] doki doki [suru]	with a throbbing heart
ぐずぐず[する] guzu guzu [suru]	procrastinating or dawdling (suru not optional)
しいんと[する] shiin to [suru]	[be (lit. do)] quiet (suru not optional)
ぴんぴん[している] pinpin [shite iru]	[be (lit. do)] lively (shite iru not optional)
よぼよぼに[なる] yoboyobo ni [naru]	[become] wobbly-legged (from age)¹

1. に (ni) instead of と (to) is used for なる (naru = become)