Essential Japanese Onomatopoeia for JLPT N5-N1

No.	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
1	わくわく	wakuwaku	excited, thrilled
2	どきどき	dokidoki	nervous, heart pounding
3	きらきら	kirakira	sparkling, shining
4	ぴかぴか	pikapika	shiny, clean
5	ふわふわ	fuwafuwa	fluffy, soft
6	ごろごろ	gorogoro	rumbling, rolling
7	はきはき	hakihaki	speak clearly, energetically

No.	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
1	さらさら	sarasara	smoothly, lightly
2	ざあざあ	zaazaa	raining heavily
3	がらがら	garagara	rattling, clattering
4	ぺらぺら	perapera	speaking fluently
5	うとうと	utouto	dozing off, sleepy
6	もぐもぐ	mogumogu	chewing, munching
7	ぐっすり	gussuri	sleeping soundly
8	ひそひそ	hisohiso	whispering, in a low voice
9	すらすら	surasura	writing or speaking smoothly
10	ぴょんぴょん	pyonpyon	jumping lightly
11	がんがん	gangan	banging heavily
12	わいわい	waiwai	lively, noisy (in a good way)
13	そろそろ	sorosoro	soon, it’s about time
14	どんどん	dondon	more and more, rapidly

No.	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
1	しんしん	shinshin	snowing silently
2	かんかん	kankan	shining brightly, blazing
3	ばたばた	batabata	flapping, in a hurry
4	ざわざわ	zawazawa	murmuring, buzzing
5	いらいら	iraira	irritated, frustrated
6	うきうき	ukiuki	feeling happy, excited
7	しっとり	shittori	moist, soft (e.g., cake)
8	ずっしり	zussiri	heavy, solid
9	ひやひや	hiyahiya	anxious, on edge
10	ぴりぴり	piripiri	tingling, spicy
11	びっくり	bikkuri	surprised, shocked
12	どきん	dokin	a sudden pang (of emotion)
13	しんみり	shinmiri	deeply moved, feeling sentimental
14	ぐにゃぐにゃ	gunyagunya	floppy, flaccid

No.	Japanese	Romaji	Meaning
1	しとしと	shitoshito	raining steadily, softly
2	ぽつぽつ	potsupotsu	raining off and on
3	ざんざん	zanzan	raining heavily
4	みしみし	mishimishi	creaking (wood, joints)
5	ぎしぎし	gishigishi	squeaking, creaking
6	ひそひそ	hisohiso	whispering, in a low voice
7	こそこそ	kosososo	sneaking quietly
8	そわそわ	sowasowa	feeling restless, uneasy
9	うつうつ	utsuutsu	feeling gloomy, depressed
10	もやもや	moyamoya	feeling vague, frustrated
11	イライラ	iraira	irritated, impatient
12	くよくよ	kuyokuyo	worrying, brooding
13	ぐったり	guttari	exhausted, drained
14	へとへと	hetoheto	completely worn out
15	ぺこぺこ	pekopeko	very hungry, stomach empty
16	ぱんぱん	panpan	stuffed full, tight (no room)
17	ぬくぬく	nukunuku	warm and cozy
18	ひんやり	hinyari	cool to the touch, chilly
19	じんわり	jinwari	gradually, gently (warmth/pain)
20	じーん	jiin	deeply moved, heartwarming
21	ぞくぞく	zokuzoku	chills, goosebumps (excited or scared)
22	ぞわぞわ	zowazowa	creepy feeling, uneasy
23	わくわく	wakuwaku	excited, eager
24	どきどき	dokidoki	heart beating fast, nervous

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