You might know the sound of a pig as “oink” in English.
In French, it’s “groin groin.”
But in Japanese, the classic piggy sound is:
「ぶーぶー！」 (Buu Buu!)
It’s the sound of snorting, grumbling, and adorable defiance — from cartoon pigs to playful kids.
Let’s listen to how it sounds!
What is “Buu Buu” (ぶーぶー)?
“Buu Buu” is the Japanese onomatopoeia for a pig’s grunt or snort.
It mimics the low, repeated, slightly nasal sound that pigs make —
but it’s also used far beyond the barnyard.
It’s often playful, exaggerated, and full of character.
Pronunciation
boo-boo
(Say it with a slightly nasal tone — low and drawn-out, like a snort)
Categories
Animals / Sound
What Does “Buu Buu” Look Like?
In manga and anime, “ぶーぶー” often floats around:
- A cute pig stomping its hooves
- A child sulking with puffed-up cheeks
- A person muttering complaints
It’s bubbly, funny, and expressive!
Let’s Compare!
Even though pigs grunt the same around the world, the words we use vary a lot:
English: Oink oink!
French: Groin groin!
Spanish: Oinc oinc / Roncar
Why Do Pig Sounds Differ by Language?
Each language focuses on a different aspect of the sound:
- English highlights the short bursty snort (oink)
- French emphasizes the nasal tone (groin)
- Japanese hears the low, repeated grunt — hence:
buu buu
Also, Japanese tends to use onomatopoeia to express not just sound, but also emotion and attitude — making “buu buu” great for grumbling too!
Example in Daily Life
Example: Pig in the mud
The pig rolled happily in the mud,
snorting away —
buu buu!
Cultural Note
In English, we might say:
- “Oink oink!”
- “Grunting”
- “Snorting”
But “Buu Buu” in Japanese can carry voice, mood, and expression —
It’s not just how pigs sound — it’s how people act when they’re being adorably stubborn!
Watch & Feel the “Buu Buu” World!
Listen to the Real Sound of a Pig
Try Using It!
Next time you:
- Pretend to be a pig
- Hear someone grumbling cutely
- Want to act playfully annoyed…
Snort a little and say:
Buu Buu!
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