Ever felt your heart skip a beat when someone suddenly calls your name?
Or froze in place when you realized you’d forgotten something important?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Giku” (ぎくっ) comes in — a sound of shock, startle, and awkward surprise.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
Table of Contents
What is “Giku” (ぎくっ)?
“Giku” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses the moment of being startled, shocked, or caught off guard.
It’s often used when someone feels nervous, surprised, or realizes they’re in trouble.
Think of the instant your stomach drops — that’s “giku.”
It’s short, sharp, and sudden — almost like the sound of your body tensing up.
Pronunciation
gee-koo (Say it quickly and sharply — like a sudden stab of tension.)
Categories
Emotion / Feeling / Movement / Reaction
What Does “Giku” Look Like?
It looks like someone’s eyes widening suddenly. Like a body stiffening mid-movement. Like beads of sweat popping up when you’re caught red-handed.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a jolt in your voice: Giku!
Like the sound of your heart skipping: Giku!
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Being called out
The teacher looked straight at him. He froze in his seat — giku!
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be: ぎくっ、としたよ。
Example 2: Forgetting something important
She checked her bag. Her eyes went wide — the tickets were missing. Giku!
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be: ぎくっ！どうしよう。
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
“Startled”
“Flinched”
“Oh no!”
But in Japanese, “giku” is the sound-and-feel image of that exact moment your body and mind freeze in surprise or panic. It’s very common in manga and anime, often shown with a sweat drop or stiff posture.
Watch & Feel the “Giku” World!
Feel the “giku” — the shock, the jolt, the realization.
The instant tension rises, and you can almost hear their nerves snap.
The world holds its breath for a second.
Try Using It!
When you’re suddenly startled… When you realize you’re in trouble… When your secret is revealed…
Welcome to this site — a soft and cozy space just for you.
Here, Japanese onomatopoeic expressions are collected — each one like a tiny, sound-flavored candy, a little piece of the world shared gently and playfully.
I hope you’ll find a favorite or two to carry with you.
Thank you for visiting.
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