Ever seen freshly polished shoes catching the sunlight?
Or a lighthouse beam sweeping across the dark ocean, flashing brightly?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Pika Pika” comes in — a sound full of sparkle, shine, and gleam.
First, let’s listen to how it sounds!
What is “Pika Pika” (びかびか)?
“Pika Pika” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes something shining brightly, sparkling, or polished to perfection.
It can be the gleam of clean surfaces, the flash of a light, or even the sparkle in someone’s eyes.
It’s vivid, cheerful, and eye-catching.
You’ll see it in everyday conversation, advertisements, manga, and children’s stories.
Pronunciation
pee-kah pee-kah
(Say it sharply and brightly — like a flash of light in your voice)
Categories
Visual / Feeling / Impression
What Does “Pika Pika” Look Like?
It looks like a mirror catching the morning sun.
Like stars twinkling in the night sky.
Like a polished ring in a jewelry shop window.
How Do You Say It?
Say it quickly, with a light bounce:
Pika… pika…
Like a glint catching your eye:
Pika pika…
Pikachu and “Pika Pika”
Ever wondered why Pikachu’s name starts with “Pika”?
It comes directly from “Pika Pika”, which expresses something that shines or flashes brightly.
Just like lightning crackling across the sky, Pikachu’s electric attacks “pika” with dazzling light.
That sparkling image is built right into the character’s name, making Pikachu not just cute, but also a living example of Japanese sound symbolism.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Freshly polished shoes
He finished buffing his shoes.
They shone under the sunlight —
pika pika…
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be:
くつが、ぴかぴかだよ。
Example 2: Lighthouse in the night
The beam cut through the darkness,
flashing over the waves —
pika pika…
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be:
らいとが、ぴかぴかひかっているよ。
Cultural Note
In English, we might say:
- “Shining”
- “Sparkling”
- “Gleaming”
But in Japanese, pika pika doesn’t just mean “bright” — it carries a feeling of freshness and energy.
It’s the sound of light itself, full of life.
Watch & Feel the “Pika Pika” World!
Feel the “Pika Pika” — The World of Shine
Experience the joy of city lights.
A world full of brightness and freshness.
Everything is Pika Pika.
Try Using It!
When something looks sparkling clean…
When a light catches your eye…
When you see something freshly polished…
Say it with energy:
Pika pika〜
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