Do you want to learn some cute (fun sounding) Japanese words? I have the perfect collection for you.
Word 1. Mogu mogu モグモグ / もぐもぐ (’to chew’/ ’sound of eating food’).
In english its very similar to “munch munch” or “nom nom nom”. I use this often!
Word 2. Hira Hira ひらひら (Flutter)
So this was a tough one to learn, because I personally don’t use the word flutter a lot in English. But because its cherry blossom season, you may come across hira hira now (as Sakura will fall from the tree and softly fly in the air until it drops on the ground).
Sakura ga Kaze de hirahira matte imasu
桜が風でひらひら待っています
Word 3: Saku Saku (あくさく)
This is often used to describe something crunchy! Like some crunchy potato chips?
Word 4: Pika Pika (ぴかぴか)
This is often used to describe something thats new / shiny or something that has been just cleaned.
私の部屋はピカピカ / Watashi no Heya wa Pika Pika / My Room is very clean.
Word 5: Waku waku (わくわく)
Waku Waku comes from the verb “Waku” which literally means gushing out in excitement. So if you are really anticipating something that is going to make you extremely happy - waku waku would be a good way to describe that feeling.
Kanojo ni aunoga waku waku suru / 彼女に会うのがワクワクする / I am excited to meet her
Word 6: Fuwa fuwa (ふわふわ)
This word is used to describe something very fluffy or airy (like a cloud!) or pillow. I believe it can be used for a fluffy animal too - Like neko or inu.
猫の毛がふわふわ
Neko no ke ga fuwafuwa / cat hair is fluffy
Word 7: Mochi mochi (もちもち)
This can be used to describe something soft. Like for instance - marshmallow! But I will give you a more interesting example:
Kanojo no hoho wa mochi mochi desu. / 彼女の頬はもちもちです / Her cheeks are soft.
Word 8: Peko peko(ぺこぺこ)
Peko Peko is used to describe the feeling of hunger!
Onaka ga peko peko / お腹がぺこぺこ / I am starving!
Word 9: Icha icha (いちゃいちゃ)
This is also an interesting one. I don’t know the actual translation, but I guess it means “Flirting” or doing something lovey-dovey as a couple.
あのカップルはイチャイチャしている / Ano kappuru wa ichaicha shite iru / That couple are being very lovey-dovey infront of us.
Word 10: Giri Giri (ぎりぎり)
This is a useful word to describe a situation where you barely make it in time for a meeting or event.
かいぎ に ぎりぎり ついた / kaigi ni girigiri tsuita / I just barely reached the meeting
Word 11: Goro goro (ごろごろ)
This is used to describe the sound of a rumbling / growling tummy, especially when you are very hungry.
Onaka ga Goro Goro suru. / お腹がごろごろする / My tummy is rumbling.
Word 12: Niko niko (にこにこ)
Niko Niko means smiling very cheerfully.
he is always smiling / 彼はいつもにこにこ / Kare wa itsumo niko niko
Word 13: Doki doki (どきどき)
Recently i learned this word - doki doki. It’s basically a rapid heartbeat caused by happiness, unease, fear, or surprise.
Kanojo o miru to doki doki suru ・彼女を見るとドキドキする
I am excited to see her / I am thrilled to see her / My Heart beats fast when I see her
Word 14: Pera pera (ペラペラ)
Pera Pera means to speak fluently, particularly a foreign language.
Kara wa nihongo wa pera pera desu / 彼は日本語話ペラペラです / He is fluent in Japanese
Word 15: Ira ira (いらいら)
Ira ira is used to describe annoyance or irritation.
彼女の話はイライラする / kanojo no hanashi wa iraira suru / Her words are annoying.
Word 16: Neba Neba (ねばねば)
This is often used to describe something very sticky.
Nattou wa neba neba / 納豆はネバネバ / nattou is sticky
Nattou is a common food (fermented soy beans) thats famous in japan.
Word 17: Kira Kira (キラキラ)
Kira kira means sparkle!
Hoshi ga kira kira / 星がキラキラ / the star is sparkling
Word 17: Chiku Chiku (ちくちく)
Chiku Chiku is usually used to explain a type of pain. In Japanese there are many ways to describe a pain. Chiku Chiku is a kind of pain that feels like a needle piercing through your skin (sort of like a tingling sensation).
Watashi no iga chiku chiku / わたしの胃がちくちく / My stomach is tingling.
I will try to update this post with more words as I learn them! I hope this was useful.