Ever seen someone so smitten they can’t stop smiling goofily?
Or a person who’s so relaxed (or in love) that they move slowly, their eyes half closed?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Dere Dere” comes in — a sound and feel of being lovestruck, dazed, or letting your guard down completely.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
Table of Contents
What is “Dere Dere” (でれでれ)?
“Dere Dere” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes someone acting overly sweet, love-struck, or absentminded from infatuation.
It can be:
Someone melting with affection, looking silly and grinning.
Someone dazed, distracted, or not acting sharp.
It’s often playful, but sometimes carries a nuance of being too soft or unserious.
Pronunciation
deh-reh deh-reh (Say it loosely, letting your voice trail — like you’re melting inside.)
Categories
Condition / Impression / Visual
What Does “Dere Dere” Look Like?
It looks like hearts floating around someone’s head. Like a person staring dreamily, cheeks red. Like someone leaning, sloppy with love or daze.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a relaxed tone, almost melting: Dere… dere…
Like someone sighing with love or gazing dreamily: Dere dere…
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Love-struck daydream
He watched her smile, his face turning red, eyes soft and dere dere…
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be: かれは、でれでれだね。
Example 2: Too relaxed after work
He lay on the sofa, a goofy grin on his face, his body completely dere dere…
Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be: でれでれしているよ。
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
“Smitten”
“Head over heels”
“Dazed and goofy”
But in Japanese, “dere dere” doesn’t just mean “in love.” It carries the sense of someone acting almost silly or weak from affection, as if they’re melting inside.
It’s often paired with “tsun tsun” (aloof and prickly), forming the well-known word “tsundere.”
Watch & Feel the “Dere Dere” World!
Feel the “dere dere” — the melting sweetness
Experience the dazed, love-struck feeling that makes people lose composure.
The world becomes soft and blurry.
Try Using It!
When you see someone acting dreamy with love… When you’re too relaxed to keep your cool… When affection makes you feel silly…
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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