Ever leaned over a bowl of ramen, sipping the noodles with a long, slurping sound?
Or slipped a little on a slope, shoes dragging noisily against the ground?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Zuzu” (ずずっ／ズズッ) comes in — a sound of slurping, sliding, or dragging movement.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Zuzu” (ずずっ／ズズッ)?
“Zuzu” is a versatile Japanese onomatopoeia with several common uses:
- Eating/Drinking: the sound of sipping noodles, tea, or soup.
- Sliding/Dragging: the sound of slipping a little, or something dragging slowly.
- Movement: the feel of something shifting or scraping in a low, continuous way.
It’s very situational, and the context tells you whether it’s food, motion, or dragging.
Pronunciation
zoo-zoo
(Say it low and continuous — imagine the drawn-out sound of slurping noodles or dragging your feet.)
Categories
Sound / Movement
What Does “Zuzu” Look Like?
- A person sipping noodles at the counter, steam rising.
- Shoes sliding down a sandy slope.
- A heavy bag being dragged along the floor.
How Do You Say It?
Say it in a drawn-out tone:
Zuzu… zuzu…
Like the sound of broth being sipped,
or the quiet drag of something across the ground:
Zuzu zuzu…
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Slurping ramen
He leaned forward over the bowl,
sipping the noodles slowly —
zuzu…
Example 2: Sliding down a slope
His shoes slipped on the sandy path,
making a dragging sound —
zuzu…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- Slurping noodles
- Dragging your feet
- Sliding
But “zuzu” carries a much more direct, sound-based feel.
It’s not just the action — it’s the sound effect that makes you “hear” the scene.
Watch & Feel the “Zuzu” World!
Feel the “zuzu” — sliding and dragging
This truck climbing the mountain is sliding zuzu…
Try Using It!
When sipping hot ramen…
When your shoes slip on a slope…
When dragging a heavy bag…
Say it softly:
Zuzu〜
Comments