In English, cows go “moo,” right?
But in Japanese, they say “Mō!”
It’s a low, slow, and relaxed sound — just like a big, gentle cow grazing in the fields.
From farms to children’s books, “Mō” is how Japan hears the classic cow sound.
What is “Mō”?
“Mō” is the Japanese onomatopoeia for the sound a cow makes.
It’s often used in picture books, storytime readings, anime, and even in everyday play when talking about farm animals.
It captures the long, drawn-out “moo” of a slow, relaxed cow, but with a softer and smoother tone in Japanese.
Pronunciation
mō
(Like “moe” in English, said slowly and gently. The ō is a long “o” sound.)
Categories
Animals / Sound
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A cow grazing in the field
A cow walked slowly through the grass and let out a calm, deep sound —
“Mō…”
Example 2: A kid visiting the farm
At the petting zoo, the boy touched the cow’s side and said,
“Mama, it said mō!”
How Do You Say It?
It’s slow, deep, and relaxed — Mō…
Try saying it out loud as if you’re a calm cow under the sun.
Let’s Compare!
Cow sounds differ across languages! Let’s see how cows sound in the world.
English: Moo
Spanish: Muuu
Why do cow sounds differ by language?
Even though cows all sound the same, people from different cultures hear and describe the sounds in their own way.
Japanese uses soft vowels and simple syllables to mimic animal sounds, especially for kids and media.
- In English, “moo” has a long “oo” sound and is spelled to match that.
- In Spanish, “muuu” adds more emphasis with a rolling “u.”
- In Japanese, “mō” is written simply, often stretching out the “o” to give a relaxed, mellow tone.
Onomatopoeia shows how language shapes perception — and how culture adds color to even the simplest sounds.
Isn’t that amazing?
What Does “Mō” Look Like?
In Japanese children’s books, “Mō” is often written in soft, rounded hiragana as written below.
It gives off a calm and friendly feeling — just like a slow-moving cow in the countryside.
Watch & Feel the Mō World!
Cows in the Pasture
Watch cows gently mooing as they graze and relax in open fields.
The peaceful “mō…” will make you feel like you’re on a slow countryside walk.
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