What Is “Gami Gami”? The Japanese Sound of Scolding and Nagging

11/15/2025

Ever been scolded endlessly — the same complaint repeated again and again until your ears almost ring?

That’s the sound of “Gami Gami” (がみがみ) — a sharp, repetitive tone often used when someone lectures or scolds someone else.
It’s not just about words — it’s about the sound and rhythm of irritation itself.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

Table of Contents

What is “Gami Gami” (がみがみ)?

“Gami Gami” expresses someone speaking in an irritated, high-pitched, and repetitive tone — often to criticize or lecture.

It’s most commonly used when:

A parent scolds a child
A boss nags an employee
A partner complains repeatedly about the same thing

It can sound sharp and unpleasant, but it’s sometimes used playfully or affectionately — like when someone says,
“Don’t worry, I’m not gonna tell you gami gami.”

Pronunciation

gah-mee gah-mee
(Say it with short, snappy rhythm — like someone emphasizing every word in irritation.)

What Does “Gami Gami” Look Like?

It looks like:

Words flying in waves, like small thunderclaps of scolding

A parent wagging a finger while lecturing

A boss pointing at papers during a meeting

How Do You Say It?

Say it with energy and repetition:
Gami! Gami!

Like someone’s words echoing again and again in your ears —
that’s the sound of irritation made audible.

Example in Daily Life

Office lecture

The report had a typo,
and his boss went on —
gami gami!

Gami Gami, meaning, Japanese sound words, onomatopoeia

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:
“Stop nagging me!” or “She keeps scolding me.”

But “gami gami” carries the sound of nagging — short, sharp, and repetitive.

It’s both the noise and the feeling of being overwhelmed by someone’s words.

It’s also a bit comical — in anime and manga, you can often see a mother or senpai yelling with “がみがみ (gami gami)” written in bold letters above their head.