What Is “Shiiin…”? The Japanese Sound of Total Silence and Crickets Chirping

Ever felt the air freeze in awkward silence? Or watched a scene where even the crickets stopped chirping?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Shiiin…” comes in — a sound that means no sound at all.

What is “Shiiin…”?

“Shiiin” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that expresses a state of total silence.
It’s often used in anime, manga, or daily life to show that things have gone quiet — usually in awkward, tense, or dramatic moments.
It’s the sound of no sound.

Pronunciation

sheeeeen

Categories

Sound / Atmosphere

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Awkward silence after a bad joke

He told a joke no one laughed at.
Then — shiiin…

Example 2: A forest at night

After the wind stopped, the forest was shiiin…
Quiet. Still. Mysterious.

Cultural Note

In English, silence is just silence.
But in Japanese, it has a sound.
“Shiiin…” is often written on the screen in anime to visually show silence — and it’s often paired with funny timing, like after a terrible pun or an emotional scene.
This makes it both atmospheric and comic depending on the context.

How Do You Say It?

Let’s whisper it together:
Shiiin…

What Does “Shiiin…” Look Like?

Even the word looks quiet. Just imagine the characters floating in still air:

Watch & Feel the “Shiiin…” World!

Feel the “Shiiin…” — Silence in the Wind

Experience the Japanese onomatopoeia “Shiiin…” through this peaceful landscape.
In Japanese, “Shiiin…” expresses total silence — the kind of quiet that makes you pause, listen, and breathe.
Here, the gentle sound of wind is the only presence… and it sounds just like “Shiiin…”

Take a deep breath and enjoy the stillness.

Try Using It!

When your meeting ends in awkward silence…
When the elevator ride gets weirdly quiet…
Say it in your heart:
Shiiin…