A list of Japanese onomatopoeia and sound effects typically used in anime and manga, but sometimes in colloquial language, too. Contact us if you have any to add.

A


a (ア) = general interjection: oh, uh, ah
a! (アッ) = exclamation of surprise, alarm, amazement, relief, frustration, fury
aaaa! (アアアアッ) = same as above, but stronger
aa (アア) = yes, okay, sure
aa (aaa)n (アーン) = open wide ("Say ah!")
aan, an (アン) = cry of passion
acha (アチャ) = remorse
agi agi (アギアギ) = bite bite (see also agu agu, kaji)
agu agu (アグアグ) = bite bite (see also agi agi)
ahaha (アハハ) = laughter
arayotto (アラヨット), hoisatto (ホイサット) = casual sound when finishing a task

B


ba (バッ) = sudden impact
bachi (バチッ) = crackle
bagu (バグッ) = impact
baki (バキッ) = loud impact
ban (バン) = bang; also dramatic emphasis
bara bara (バラバラ) = rattle
bari bari (バリバリ) = crunch; scratch; rip; crackle
basa (バサッ) = rustling
bashan (バシャン) = medium splash
bashi, bashito (バシッ) = impact
bata, batan (バタン) = impact; falling; door slamming
batchiri (バッチリ) = precise, perfect
becho (ベチョ) = dropping something sticky
bee, bee da (ベーッ) = teasing (tongue-out)
bero (ベロ) = peeling back
bero bero (ベロベロ) = licking repeatedly
betari (ベタリ) = stuck together
beto beto (ベトベト) = sticky
bi, biiii (ビーッ) = shriek
bicha bicha (ビチャビチャ) = small splash
bichi bichi (ビチビチ) = flopping
biku, bikun (ビクッ) = surprise
biri (ビリッ) = electricity
biri biri (ビリビリ) = tearing; crackling
biron (ビローン) = tongue hanging out
bishi (ビシッ) = smack
bo (ボッ) = flame; or exhausted feeling
bochan (ボチャン) = kerplunk
bochi bochi (ボチボチ) = steady progress
bokan (ボカン) = sudden impact
boketto (ボケット) = vacantly staring
boko (ボコッ) = bubbling; popping
bon (ボン) = magical appearance
bosa bosa (ボサボサ) = unkempt; idling
boso boso (ボソボソ) = muttering
bota (ボタッ) = thick drip
boto boto, bote (ボトボト) = falling
botsu (ボツ) = whoosh
buchi (ブチッ) = snap
buchi buchi (ブチブチ) = ripping
buchu (ブチュ) = kiss
buku, bukubuku (ブクブク) = swelling; boiling
bui (ブイ) = V-sign
bunchchacha (ブンチャチャ) = musical rhythm
bun, buun (ブン) = swish
buun (ブーン) = buzz
buran (ブラン) = dangling
burororo (ブロロロ) = loud motor
Buru (ブル) = violent headshake
busu busu (ブスブス) = smouldering
busu / butsu (ブツブツ) = muttering
buwa (ブワッ) = explosion
buyo buyo (ブヨブヨ) = squishy
bwahaha (ブワハハ) = evil laugh
byu (ビュッ) = fast movement

C


chapon, chapu (チャポン／チャプ) = plunk (water)
chara chara (チャラチャラ) = rattle; jingle
chi, ch' (チッ) = tongue-click; mild curse
chichichi (チチチ) = calling a cat
chi chi (チイチイ) = high shrill sound
chira, chirari (チラリ) = sideways glance
chiri chiri (チリチリ) = frizz; tingle
chirin (チリン) = chime
chiyahoya (チヤホヤ) = fuss over someone
choki choki (チョキチョキ) = cutting
chokon (チョコン) = small and quiet
chu (チュ) = kiss; also sucking
chun chun (チュンチュン) = chirp chirp

D


da da da (ダダダ) = running
dan (ダン) = bang
dara dara (ダラダラ) = thick liquid dripping
dere dere (デレデレ) = lovestruck; sloppy
do (ドン／ドッ) = big impact; loud heartbeat
do do do (ドドド) = heavy footsteps; rapid punches
Dobi (ドビ) = missed kick
doka (ドカッ) = impact
doki doki (ドキドキ) = heartbeat
dokun (ドクン) = strong heartbeat
don (ドン) = big impact; dramatic emphasis
dondon (ドンドン) = continuous action
dopyu (ドピュッ) = spurting
doron (ドロン) = magical transformation
dorya (ドリャ) = battle cry
dosa (ドサッ) = heavy body hitting floor
doshin (ドシン) = impact
Dosshu (ドッシュ) = slicing through bone
dosu (ドスッ) = forcible spurting
dotabata (ドタバタ) = frantic running about
dote (ドテッ) = humorous fall
doyon (ドヨン) = depressed, sluggish

E


e! e? (エッ) = what? huh?
e, eeee (エエエ) = wail, cry
ee (エエ) = yes; okay
eeto (エエト) = um…
ehen (エヘン) = ahem!; smug laugh
ei (エイ) = shriek

F


fua, fuwa, fa (フア／フワ) = yawn
fu (フッ) = sigh; blowing out
fu fu fu (フフフ) = strange laugh
fuki fuki (フキフキ) = wiping
fumi (フミ) = stomp
fumu (フム) = hmm; uh-huh
funka funka (フンカフンカ) = sniff sniff
fura (フラ) = yawn; drift; dizziness
fura fura (フラフラ) = wobbling
furi, furu (フル) = trembling
fusa (フサ) = fluffy hair
fuwa, fuwato (フワット) = gentle movement
fuwari, funwara (フンワリ) = even gentler
fwahaha (フワハハ) = evil laugh

G


ga (ガッ) = impact
gaba (ガバッ) = grab
gaba gaba (ガバガバ) = gurgling; too big
gacha, gachari (ガチャ) = click
gahaha (ガハハ) = evil laugh
gakin (ガキン) = clash
gaku (ガク) = shaking
gakun (ガクン) = collapse
gapu (ガプッ) = big chomp
gan (ガン) = shocking revelation
GAAAN (ガーーン) = huge revelation
gangan (ガンガン) = violent action
gara gara (ガラガラ) = clatter
gasa, goso (ガサ／ゴソ) = rustling
gashan (ガシャン) = crash
gashi (ガシッ) = grab
gashin (ガシン) = crash
gasshiri (ガッシリ) = solid
gata, gatan (ガタン) = reel in shock; collapse
gatsu gatsu (ガツガツ) = gobble food
gaya (ガヤ) = crowd noise
gebo (ゲボ) = vomit
gefu (ゲフ) = burp
geho (ゲホ) = cough
gennari (ゲンナリ) = exhausted
geshi geshi (ゲシゲシ) = squashing or wiping
gi gi (ギギ) = eerie creaking; plant noises
giku (ギクッ) = sudden shock
gin (ギン) = glaring
gira (ギラ) = glint
giri giri (ギリギリ) = scraping; at one's limit
giro (ギロ) = glare
gishi (ギシ) = creaking
go go go (ゴゴゴ) = ominous aura
gochin (ゴチン) = comic collision
goku, gokun (ゴク／ゴクン) = gulp
goooo (ゴオオオ) = roar
goro goro (ゴロゴロ) = purring; rolling
goshi (ゴシゴシ) = scrubbing
goso (ゴソ) = rummaging
goun (ゴウン) = washing machine sound
gowa gowa (ゴワゴワ) = stiff
gu (グッ) = grabbing; or sleeping
gu (グー) = stomach growl
gucha (グチャ) = crushing
guchi guchi (グチグチ) = wet twisting
gui (グイ) = grab; gulp
Gunya (グニャ) = sudden realisation
guon (グオン) = dryer sound
guooo (グオオオ) = roar
gura (グラ) = stagger
guri (グリ) = noogies
gusha (グシャ) = crush
gussuri (グッスリ) = deep sleep
guttari (グッタリ) = limp
gutto (グット) = intense focus
guzu (グズグズ) = whine
gwahaha (グワハハ) = evil laugh
gya (ギャ) = shriek
gyaa gyaa (ギャアギャア) = complaining
gyo (ギョ) = shock
gyu, kyu (ギュ／キュ) = squeeze
gyuun (ギューン) = fast motion

H


ha! (ハッ) = surprise
haa haa (ハアハア) = panting
ha ha ha (ハハハ) = masculine laughter
hakkiri (ハッキリ) = clear
hamu (ハム) = bite, glomp
hara hara (ハラハラ) = gently falling
hata (ハタッ) = soft landing
hau hau (ハウハウ) = gobbling
he he he (ヘヘヘ) = giggle
hena hena (ヘナヘナ) = exhausted
henshin (ヘンシン) = transformation
hero hero (ヘロヘロ) = limp
heta (ヘタ) = collapsing
heto heto (ヘトヘト) = exhausted
hiee (ヒエエ) = eek
hiiie (ヒィー) = shriek
hihiin (ヒヒーン) = horse whinny
hiku hiku (ヒクヒク) = shaking
hiri hiri (ヒリヒリ) = irritation
hiso hiso (ヒソヒソ) = whisper
hiya hiya (ヒヤヒヤ) = nervous worry
hn (フン／ン) = humph
ho ho ho (ホホホ) = refined feminine laugh
hoka hoka (ホカホカ) = warm
honobono (ホノボノ) = peaceful
hooo (ホオオ) = wind
hote hote (ホテホテ) = toddle
hu hu hu (フフフ) = strange laugh
hu-e (フエエ) = wail
hun (フン) = humph
hunka hunka (フンカフンカ) = sniff sniff
hyoi (ヒョイ) = quick movement
hyoko (ヒョコ) = popping up
hyu, hyun (ヒュッ) = quick motion
hyuuuu (ヒュウウウ) = cold wind

I


icha icha (イチャイチャ) = public affection
ira ira (イライラ) = irritation
iso iso (イソイソ) = cheerful movement

J


ja, jaaa (ジャー) = flowing water
jabon (ジャボン) = big splash
jaki (ジャキ) = sharp glint
jan (ジャン) = tada!
jiiii (ジーー) = silent stare
jiku jiku (ジクジク) = numbness
jiro jiro (ジロジロ) = stare
jiri jiri (ジリジリ) = scraping
jitabata (ジタバタ) = flailing limbs
jiwa (ジワ) = tears welling
jo (ジョ) = liquid flowing
jururu (ジュルル) = drooling

K


ka (カ) = light
kaa (カア) = blushing
kacha (カチャ) = click
kaji (カジ) = bite
kaku (カク) = scratching; wobble
kakun (カクン) = losing balance
kapan (カパン) = opening
kara (カラ) = empty
karakara (カラカラ) = bone dry
karan (カラン) = rattle
kari kari (カリカリ) = scratching
kasa (カサ) = rustling
katsu katsu (カツカツ) = clomp
kehen (ケヘン) = cough
kerori (ケロリ) = unfazed
ki (キッ) = glare
kii (キィ) = squeak
kiiii (キィーー) = shrill scream
kichinto (キチント) = neatly
kin kon (キンコン) = bell
kira, kiran (キラ／キラン) = sparkle
kiri kiri (キリキリ) = scraping
kishi (キシ) = creak
kochoku (コチョク) = frozen
kon (コン) = knocking
kopo (コポ) = pouring
kori (コリ) = crunch
koro, koron (コロ) = rolling
koshi koshi (コシコシ) = rubbing
koso (コソ) = stealthy
koto (コト) = small clink
kotsu kotsu (コツコツ) = steadily
ku (クー) = sleeping
kuha (クハ) = yawn
kun kun (クンクン) = sniffing
kune kune (クネクネ) = wiggling
kunka kunka (クンカクンカ) = sniff sniff
kura (クラ) = dizziness
kuri (クリ) = curling
kuru (クル) = turning
kusha (クシャ) = sneeze
kusu (クス) = small laugh
kuta, kutari (クタ／クタリ) = limp
kya (キャ) = shriek
kyapi kyapi (キャピキャピ) = lively girlish chatter
kyoro kyoro (キョロキョロ) = looking around
kyu (キュ／ギュ) = squeeze
kyururu (キュルル) = stomach rumbling

M


meki meki (メキメキ) = rapid progress
mero mero (メロメロ) = limp; lovestruck
meso meso (メソメソ) = sniffling
miii (ミィー) = wail
Miin miin (ミーンミーン) = cicadas
mishi mishi (ミシミシ) = creaking
moji moji (モジモジ) = shy fidgeting
moku (モクモク) = eating
momi (モミ) = groping
mu, musu (ムッ／ムスッ) = sulking
mugu (ムグ) = munching
muka muka (ムカムカ) = nausea
muku (ムク) = sitting up
munyu (ムニュ) = groping
mura mura (ムラムラ) = arousal

N


n? (ン？) = huh?
n (ン) = grunt
nade nade (ナデナデ) = petting
nashi (ナシ) = smack
nchu (ンチュ) = kiss
ni, niko (ニコ) = smile
nipa (ニパ) = bright grin
nisho (ニショ) = effort sound
nita (ニタ) = sinister smile
niyari (ニヤリ) = leer
nku (ンク) = sniff sniff
noro noro (ノロノロ) = slow movement
nsho (ンショ) = effort
nukenuke (ヌケヌケ) = nonchalant
nuru nuru (ヌルヌル) = slippery
nuuuu (ヌウウウ) = ominous
nyari (ニャリ) = leer
nyoro nyoro (ニョロニョロ) = wriggling like a snake

O


oi (オイ) = hey!
oisho, yoisho (オイショ／ヨイショ) = effort
oo! (オオ！) = oh!
oooo (オオオオ) = wind; roar
ora ora (オラオラ) = repeated punching taunt
oro oro (オロオロ) = flustered
orya (オリャ) = battle cry
osoru osoru (オソルオソル) = timidly

P


pa (パ) = light
pachi (パチッ) = snap
paka (パカ) = opening
paku (パク) = biting
paku paku (パクパク) = gobbling
pan (パン) = impact
pan pan (パンパン) = patting
pari (パリッ) = crunch
pari pari (パリパリ) = crackle
parin (パリン) = shatter
pasa (パサ) = rustling
pasha (パシャ) = splash
pashi (パシッ) = smack
pata pata (パタパタ) = flap flap
patata (パタタ) = spatter
patan (パタン) = door slamming
pechanko (ペチャンコ) = flattened
peko (ペコ) = bow
peko peko (ペコペコ) = repeated bowing
pero, pero pero (ペロペロ) = licking
peron (ペロン) = flipping
petan (ペタン) = flopping down
pi (ピッ) = beep
picha (ピチャ) = drip
piiii (ピーー) = shrill noise
piii pii (ピィピィ) = chirping
piku (ピク) = twitch
pin pon (ピンポン) = doorbell
piri (ピリ) = tearing
piri piri (ピリピリ) = prickling
pisha (ピシャ) = splash
pishi (ピシッ) = crack
pita (ピタ) = stop
pito (ピト) = gentle touch
piyo (ピヨ) = peep
po, pochan (ポ／ポチャン) = plunk
poi (ポイ) = toss
poka (ポカ) = hit
poka poka (ポカポカ) = warmth
pon, pom (ポン／ポム) = small impact
pootto (ポーット) = dazed
pori pori (ポリポリ) = crunch
poro (ポロ) = dropping
potsun (ポツン) = solitude
puchi puchi (プチプチ) = popping
puku, pukupuku (プクプク) = swelling
pun pun (プンプン) = bad smell
pu pu pu (プププ) = odd chuckle
pura pura (プラプラ) = limp
puri puri (プリプリ) = anger
puru (プル) = trembling
pusu (プス) = puncture
pusu pusu (プスプス) = smouldering
puu (プー) = puff
puuuu (プーー) = anger
puutto (プット) = toot
pyu (ピュッ) = fast movement

R


runtata (ルンタタ) = humming music pattern

S


sa (サー) = rain or water
saa (サア) = rustling wind
saku (サク) = step
sara sara (サラサラ) = silky; dry
sasu sasu (サスサス) = rubbing
sawa, sawayaka (サワ／サワヤカ) = refreshing
sesseto (セッセト) = steady work
shaaa (シャー) = slicing air
shaka shaka (シャカシャカ) = scraping
shapu shapu (シャプシャプ) = splash
shiiin (シーーン) = silence
shiku shiku (シクシク) = sobbing
shire (シレ) = shrug
shittori (シットリ) = moist; calm
shizu (シズ) = solemn movement
shobo shobo (ショボショボ) = sadness
shu (シュッ) = quick swish
shuuuu (シュウウウ) = steam
shubo (シュボ) = flame ignition
shun (シュン) = wilting
shuru, shururu (シュル／シュルル) = snaking motion
sorya (ソリャ) = battle cry
sosokusa (ソソクサ) = hurried retreat
sowa sowa (ソワソワ) = fidgety
su (スッ) = inhale; slow slide
sube sube (スベスベ) = smooth
suketete (ステテテ) = child running
sui (スイ) = smooth movement
suka (スカ) = whoosh; sparse
suka suka (スカスカ) = loose fitting
sukon (スコン) = plunk
suku (スク) = standing up
sunari (スナリ) = slender
supa (スパ) = clean cut
suppa suppa (スッパスッパ) = puffing
supo (スポ) = pop
surari (スラリ) = slender
suru (スル) = slipping
suta (スタ) = landing
sutatata (スタタタ) = running
suten (ステン) = falling
suton (ストン) = sitting

T


taaaa (ターー) = dashing
tappuri (タップリ) = full
tatatata (タタタタ) = running lightly
tehe (テヘ) = teehee
teka teka (テカテカ) = shiny
teku teku (テクテク) = walking
tere (テレ) = bashful happiness
to (ト) = soft impact
to to to (トトト) = walking
tokun (トクン) = strong heartbeat
ton (トン) = light impact
tontonton (トントントン) = chopping
toppuri (トップリ) = nightfall
tote (トテ) = toddle
tsu (ッ) = sudden sharp intake of breath
tsu, tsuuuu (ツーー) = buzzing
tsubu (ツブ) = eyes closing
tsun tsun (ツンツン) = smelly; prickly attitude
tsuru (ツル) = sliding
tsutsutsu (ツツツ) = sliding
tsuya tsuya (ツヤツヤ) = glossy

U


u (ウッ) = grunt
uchu (ウチュ) = kiss
ugogo (ウゴゴ) = choking
uka uka (ウカウカ) = careless distraction
ukkun (ウックン) = gulp
umu (ウム) = hmm
unsho (ウンショ) = effort
unzari (ウンザリ) = fed up
uraaa (ウラァ) = war cry
ura ura (ウラウラ) = swaying
uto (ウト) = nodding off
utsura (ウツラ) = half-asleep
uttori (ウットリ) = mesmerised
uuu (ウウウ) = anger
uwaaaa! (ウワアアア) = scream
uzo uzo (ウゾウゾ) = creepy writhing

W


wa! (ワッ) = wow!
waa (ワア) = crowd's roar
wai (ワイ) = delighted exclamation
wai wai (ワイワイ) = lively chatter
waku waku (ワクワク) = excitement
wan wan (ワンワン) = dog bark
wara wara (ワラワラ) = crowd noise
wasa wasa (ワサワサ) = rustling
wata wata (ワタワタ) = flapping

Y


yaho (ヤホ) = yoo-hoo
yakimoki (ヤキモキ) = fretting
yanwari (ヤンワリ) = gently
yare-yare (ヤレヤレ) = exasperation
yoisho (ヨイショ) = effort
yoji (ヨジ) = creepy crawling
yoro yoro (ヨロヨロ) = staggering
yusa (ユサ) = shaking

Z


za (ザッ) = footsteps in grass
ZAAA (ザーー) = heavy rain
zaba, zabu (ザバ／ザブ) = big splash
ZAKU! (ザクッ) = slicing
zashu (ザシュ) = slash
zawa (ザワ) = rustle; crowd tension
ze, zei (ゼー／ゼイ) = gasp
zoku (ゾク) = shiver
zoon (ズオーン) = rumbling
zu (ズッ) = drool; sip
zun (ズン) = vigorous movement
zuuun (ズーーン) = sinking sadness
zuba (ズバ) = single clean cut
zugagaga (ズガガガ) = intense action
zuki (ズキ) = sharp pain
zumo (ズモ) = looming menace
zunguri (ズングリ) = dumpy
zuri, zuru (ズリ／ズル) = dragging
zururu (ズルル) = slurp
zusasa (ズササ) = quick recoil
zuzu (ズズ) = sipping