Ever had a moment that made your heart leap — a sudden confession, a surprise, or someone calling your name unexpectedly?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Doki!” (どきっ！) appears — the sound of your heart skipping a beat in shock, excitement, or nervousness.
What is “Doki!” (どきっ！)
“Doki!” expresses a sudden, sharp heartbeat — one instant of emotional impact.
It’s the single thump that happens when something surprises or startles you.
Unlike “Doki Doki,” which shows a continuous heartbeat of excitement,
“Doki!” captures just that one moment — a pop of emotion.
Common Uses:
When you see something shocking
When someone gets startled or flustered
When your crush suddenly talks to you
Pronunciation
doh-kee!
(Say it short and sharp — like a small heartbeat skipping!)
Categories
Emotion / Feeling / Sound
What Does “Doki!” Look Like?
It looks like eyes widening in surprise.
A heart suddenly jumping inside the chest.
A gasp before words catch up.
How Do You Say It?
Say it sharply —
Doki! —
like your heartbeat suddenly missed a beat.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Sudden Confession
He turned around and said,
“I like you.”
Her heart went —
doki!
Example 2: Jump Scare
The lights went out —
and something moved behind her —
doki!
Cultural Note
In English, we might say “My heart skipped a beat,” or “It startled me.”
But “Doki!” gives that instant emotional sound — it’s short, vivid, and straight from the heart.
Watch & Feel the “Doki!” World
Watch these “Doki!” Reactions!
Try Using It!
When something makes your heart jump,
say it softly, like a little spark inside:
Doki!
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