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200 Japanese Mimetic Words for Everyday Life
Japanese people use these words very frequently in everyday conversations.
1. Emotions and moods
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 1 | どきどき | dokidoki | Nervous, heart pounding |
| 2 | わくわく | wakuwaku | Excited, thrilled |
| 3 | いらいら | iraira | Irritated, cranky |
| 4 | そわそわ | sowasowa | Restless, fidgety |
| 5 | おろおろ | orooro | Flustered, at a loss |
| 6 | はらはら | harahara | On edge, anxious |
| 7 | うきうき | ukiuki | Cheerful, in high spirits |
| 8 | しょんぼり | shonbori | Dejected, downcast |
| 9 | がっかり | gakkari | Disappointed, let down |
| 10 | うんざり | unzari | Fed up, sick of it |
| 11 | むかむか | mukamuka | Nauseous, queasy in the stomach |
| 12 | もやもや | moyamoya | Uneasy, unsettled |
| 13 | いきいき | ikiiki | Full of life |
| 14 | にこにこ | nikoniko | Smiling happily |
| 15 | にやにや | niyaniya | Smirking, grinning knowingly |
| 16 | くよくよ | kuyokuyo | Brooding, fretting over something |
| 17 | ほっと | hotto | Relieved, sigh of relief |
| 18 | すっきり | sukkiri | Refreshed, relieved, clear-headed |
| 19 | うっとり | uttori | Entranced, enchanted |
| 20 | ぞっと | zotto | Shuddering, getting goosebumps |
2. Eating, sleeping, and resting
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 21 | ぺこぺこ | pekopeko | Starving |
| 22 | ぐうぐう | guuguu | Sleeping soundly; stomach growling (depends on context) |
| 23 | ぐっすり | gussuri | Sleeping soundly |
| 24 | すやすや | suyasuya | Sleeping peacefully |
| 25 | うとうと | utouto | Dozing off, drowsy |
| 26 | もぐもぐ | mogumogu | Chewing (mouth munching) |
| 27 | ぱくぱく | pakupaku | Eating continuously, eating heartily |
| 28 | がつがつ | gatsugatsu | Wolfing down food, eating greedily |
| 29 | ごくごく | gokugoku | Gulping down a drink |
| 30 | ちびちび | chibichibi | Sipping in small amounts |
| 31 | がぶがぶ | gabugabu | Gulping down big mouthfuls |
| 32 | もりもり | morimori | Eating with a big appetite |
| 33 | むしゃむしゃ | mushamusha | Munching voraciously |
| 34 | ぺろぺろ | peropero | Licking repeatedly |
| 35 | ごろごろ | gorogoro | Lounging around at home |
| 36 | のんびり | nonbiri | Leisurely, relaxed |
| 37 | へとへと | hetoheto | Utterly drained, exhausted |
| 38 | くたくた | kutakuta | Worn out |
| 39 | すやすやねむる | suyasuya nemuru | To sleep peacefully |
3. Speaking, laughing, and crying
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 40 | ぺらぺら | perapera | Fluent in a foreign language |
| 41 | すらすら | surasura | Smoothly, without stumbling |
| 42 | はきはき | hakihaki | Speaking clearly and briskly |
| 43 | もごもご | mogomogo | Mumbling, unclear speech |
| 44 | ぼそぼそ | bosoboso | Speaking in a low voice, muttering |
| 45 | ぶつぶつ | butsubutsu | Grumbling, muttering complaints |
| 46 | ひそひそ | hisohiso | Whispering |
| 47 | こそこそ | kosokoso | Sneakily, furtively |
| 48 | きっぱり | kippari | Decisively, flatly |
| 49 | はっきり | hakkiri | Clearly, distinctly |
| 50 | くすくす | kusukusu | Giggling |
| 51 | げらげら | geragera | Laughing loudly, bursting out laughing |
| 52 | あはは | ahaha | Ha ha (sound of laughter) |
| 53 | えーんえーん | een een | Boo-hoo, crying loudly |
| 54 | しくしく | shikushiku | Sobbing quietly |
| 55 | わんわん | wanwan | Bawling, wailing |
| 56 | にたにた | nitanita | Grinning smugly |
| 57 | ぺちゃくちゃ | pechakucha | Chattering away |
| 58 | わいわい | waiwai | Noisy and lively |
| 59 | がやがや | gayagaya | Noisy, buzzing with chatter |
4. Walking, moving, and actions
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 60 | のろのろ | noronoro | Slow, sluggish |
| 61 | すたすた | sutasuta | Walking briskly |
| 62 | てくてく | tekuteku | Trudging along steadily on foot |
| 63 | とぼとぼ | tobotobo | Plodding wearily, dejectedly |
| 64 | よろよろ | yoroyoro | Tottering, stumbling along |
| 65 | うろうろ | urouro | Wandering around, loitering |
| 66 | きょろきょろ | kyorokyoro | Looking around restlessly |
| 67 | ぶらぶら | burabura | Strolling aimlessly |
| 68 | ちょこちょこ | chokochoko | Scurrying with small steps; doing small tasks repeatedly |
| 69 | ぱたぱた | patapata | Running back and forth; flapping sound |
| 70 | ぴょんぴょん | pyonpyon | Hopping, bouncing |
| 71 | ころころ | korokoro | Rolling; changing frequently (depends on context) |
| 72 | くるくる | kurukuru | Spinning, twirling, coiling |
| 73 | ぐるぐる | guruguru | Going round and round |
| 74 | ゆらゆら | yurayura | Swaying, rocking gently |
| 75 | ひらひら | hirahira | Fluttering |
| 76 | ふらっと | furatto | Dropping by casually, without plans |
5. Common sounds
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 77 | ざあざあ | zaazaa | Rain pouring down |
| 78 | しとしと | shitoshito | Rain falling softly and steadily |
| 79 | ぽつぽつ | potsupotsu | Sparse rain; drop by drop |
| 80 | ぱらぱら | parapara | Light drizzle; sound of flipping pages |
| 81 | ぽたぽた | potapota | Water dripping continuously |
| 82 | ぽとぽと | potopoto | Water dripping drop by drop |
| 83 | ばしゃばしゃ | bashabasha | Splashing water |
| 84 | ちゃぷちゃぷ | chapuchapu | Sound of water lapping, sloshing |
| 85 | ざぶざぶ | zabuzabu | Sloshing hard; washing vigorously |
| 86 | ぶくぶく | bukubuku | Bubbling, foaming |
| 87 | ぐつぐつ | gutsugutsu | Simmering, bubbling hard |
| 88 | ことこと | kotokoto | Simmering gently while cooking |
| 89 | じゅうじゅう | juujuu | Sizzling (grilling or frying) |
| 90 | ぱちぱち | pachipachi | Crackling; clapping sound |
| 91 | とんとん | tonton | Knock-knock; light tapping |
| 92 | がたがた | gatagata | Rattling, shaking |
| 93 | がちゃん | gachan | Clang, crash (hard objects hitting) |
| 94 | かちゃかちゃ | kachakacha | Clinking, clattering of objects |
| 95 | ぴんぽん | pinpon | Ding-dong (doorbell) |
6. States and shapes
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 96 | きらきら | kirakira | Sparkling, glittering |
| 97 | ぴかぴか | pikapika | Shiny, gleaming |
| 98 | ぎらぎら | giragira | Glaring, dazzling |
| 99 | ちかちか | chikachika | Flickering; dazzling to the eyes |
| 100 | ぼんやり | bon’yari | Vague, dim, hazy |
| 101 | ぼーっと | boutto | Spaced out, mind blank |
| 102 | くっきり | kukkiri | Sharp, clearly defined |
| 103 | ちらちら | chirachira | Flickering into view; glancing repeatedly |
| 104 | じっと | jitto | Still, motionless; staring intently |
| 105 | じろじろ | jirojiro | Staring, looking someone over |
| 106 | まじまじ | majimaji | Looking closely, gazing intently |
| 107 | ふわふわ | fuwafuwa | Fluffy, soft and floaty |
| 108 | ふかふか | fukafuka | Soft, plush and thick |
| 109 | もちもち | mochimochi | Chewy, soft and springy |
| 110 | さらさら | sarasara | Silky, dry, not sticky |
| 111 | つるつる | tsurutsuru | Smooth, slippery |
| 112 | ぬるぬる | nurunuru | Slimy, slippery |
| 113 | べたべた | betabeta | Sticky, clammy |
| 114 | ねばねば | nebaneba | Gooey, viscous |
| 115 | ざらざら | zarazara | Rough, gritty |
7. Objects, tidiness, and daily life
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 116 | ぼろぼろ | boroboro | Tattered, worn out |
| 117 | ぐちゃぐちゃ | guchagucha | Messy; mushy, soggy |
| 118 | ぐちゃぐちゃにする | guchagucha ni suru | To crumple, to mess up |
| 119 | ばらばら | barabara | Scattered, in pieces, uneven |
| 120 | ごちゃごちゃ | gochagocha | Jumbled, cluttered |
| 121 | ぎゅうぎゅう | gyuugyuu | Jam-packed, squeezed together |
| 122 | ぎっしり | gisshiri | Tightly packed, crammed full |
| 123 | すかすか | sukasuka | Sparse, hollow inside |
| 124 | ぴったり | pittari | Fitting snugly; exactly |
| 125 | ぎりぎり | girigiri | Just barely, at the very limit |
| 126 | ぼさぼさ | bosabosa | Messy, unkempt hair |
| 127 | くしゃくしゃ | kushakusha | Crumpled, rumpled |
| 128 | しわしわ | shiwashiwa | Wrinkled |
| 129 | ぺちゃんこ | pechanko | Squashed flat |
| 130 | ぺったんこ | pettanko | Flat as a pancake |
| 131 | ぱんぱん | panpan | Bulging, stuffed full |
| 132 | ぽろぽろ | poroporo | Falling in drops or crumbs; tears rolling down |
| 133 | ぽいぽい | poipoi | Tossing things away one after another |
| 134 | ごしごし | goshigoshi | Scrubbing hard |
8. Body and health
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 135 | ずきずき | zukizuki | Throbbing pain |
| 136 | ひりひり | hirihiri | Stinging, smarting pain |
| 137 | ちくちく | chikuchiku | Prickling, pricking like needles |
| 138 | がんがん | gangan | Pounding headache; loud clanging |
| 139 | くらくら | kurakura | Dizzy, lightheaded |
| 140 | ふらふら | furafura | Dizzy, unsteady on one’s feet |
| 141 | ぞくぞく | zokuzoku | Shivering from cold, fever, or excitement |
| 142 | がくがく | gakugaku | Trembling, knees shaking |
| 143 | ぶるぶる | buruburu | Shivering, trembling violently |
| 144 | びくびく | bikubiku | Timid, jumpy, fearful |
| 145 | どきっと | dokitto | Startled, heart skipping a beat |
| 146 | はあはあ | haahaa | Panting, gasping |
| 147 | ぜいぜい | zeizei | Wheezing, breathing laboriously |
| 148 | げっそり | gessori | Gaunt, visibly thinner |
| 149 | ぐったり | guttari | Limp, exhausted |
| 150 | ぱっちり | pacchiri | Wide open, bright (usually eyes) |
| 151 | すべすべ | subesube | Silky smooth |
| 152 | つやつや | tsuyatsuya | Glossy, lustrous |
9. Degree, frequency, and manner
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 153 | たびたび | tabitabi | Often, repeatedly |
| 154 | ときどき | tokidoki | Sometimes |
| 155 | しばしば | shibashiba | Frequently |
| 156 | たまたま | tamatama | By chance, coincidentally |
| 157 | ますます | masumasu | More and more |
| 158 | だんだん | dandan | Gradually |
| 159 | どんどん | dondon | Rapidly, continuously |
| 160 | つぎつぎ | tsugitsugi | One after another |
| 161 | そろそろ | sorosoro | Almost time to, soon |
| 162 | さっさと | sassato | Quickly, hurry up |
| 163 | ちゃっちゃと | chacchato | Quickly and efficiently |
| 164 | じっくり | jikkuri | Thoroughly, unhurriedly |
| 165 | ゆっくり | yukkuri | Slowly, leisurely |
| 166 | ちゃんと | chanto | Properly, fully, correctly |
| 167 | きちんと | kichinto | Neatly, properly, by the rules |
| 168 | しっかり | shikkari | Firmly, solidly, carefully |
| 169 | すっかり | sukkari | Completely, entirely |
| 170 | うっかり | ukkari | Carelessly, absent-mindedly |
| 171 | ついつい | tsuitsui | Unintentionally, couldn’t help but |
10. Other extremely useful words
| No. | Japanese | Romaji | Meaning |
| 172 | そっと | sotto | Gently, softly |
| 173 | こっそり | kossori | Secretly, stealthily |
| 174 | ひょっと | hyotto | Possibly, by any chance (often in ひょっとしたら) |
| 175 | まさか | masaka | No way, surely not |
| 176 | てっきり | tekkiri | Assuming, fully believing (mistakenly) |
| 177 | つくづく | tsukuzuku | Keenly, deeply; truly feeling after experience |
| 178 | しみじみ | shimijimi | Deeply, heartfelt |
| 179 | いちいち | ichiichi | One by one; every little thing |
| 180 | そもそも | somosomo | In the first place, to begin with |
| 181 | もともと | motomoto | Originally, by nature |
| 182 | それぞれ | sorezore | Each, respectively |
| 183 | いろいろ | iroiro | Various, many kinds |
| 184 | さまざま | samazama | Diverse, of many kinds |
| 185 | べつべつ | betsubetsu | Separate, individual |
| 186 | ばったり | battari | Meeting by chance; falling down suddenly |
| 187 | どっと | dotto | All at once, in a rush; suddenly overwhelming |
| 188 | さっぱり | sappari | Refreshed; not at all (with negatives) |
| 189 | たっぷり | tappuri | Plenty, ample |
| 190 | ぎゅっと | gyutto | Tightly (squeezing, hugging) |
| 191 | ぴんぴん | pinpin | Healthy, full of energy |
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