Have you ever looked at the deep blue sea on a sunny day?
Or walked through a forest filled with fresh, vibrant green leaves?
Japanese has one beautiful expression that can describe both:
“Ao Ao” (あおあお / 青々)
Although it isn’t considered a true Japanese onomatopoeia, it shares something important with one.
Let’s hear how it sounds!
What is “Ao Ao” (あおあお / 青々)?
“Ao Ao” describes:
- A rich, vivid blue
- Lush, healthy greenery
- A scene full of freshness and life
It often describes the sea, the sky, forests, fields, or trees that look full of vibrant color and energy.
Pronunciation
ah-oh ah-oh
(Say it gently, as if admiring a beautiful landscape.)
Category
Visual
What Does “Ao Ao” Look Like?
It looks like a brilliant blue ocean stretching to the horizon.
Fresh green trees glowing in the summer sunlight.
A wide field full of healthy plants after the rain.
How Do You Say It?
Say it softly:
Ao ao…
Like you’re quietly taking in a beautiful natural scene.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A blue ocean
The sea stretched endlessly beneath the clear summer sky —
ao ao…
Its deep blue color seemed to go on forever.
Example 2: Lush green trees
The mountains were covered with fresh summer leaves —
ao ao…
The forest looked full of life and energy.
Cultural Note
“Ao Ao” is not considered a traditional Japanese onomatopoeia.
Instead, it belongs to what we call Almost Onomatopoeia—expressions that aren’t true onomatopoeia but feel surprisingly similar.
Like many Japanese onomatopoeic words, “ao ao” repeats its sounds to make a scene feel more vivid and alive.
Interestingly, Japanese speakers use “ao ao” not only for things that are truly blue, but also for healthy green plants and forests.
This reflects the broad way the traditional Japanese color word ao has been used to describe both blue and fresh green in different contexts.
It suggests:
Freshness
Life
Rich natural color
Watch & Feel the “Ao Ao” World!
Feel the “Ao Ao” — Blue Ocean
Try Using It!
When the sea shines a brilliant blue…
When trees and fields are full of fresh summer leaves…
When nature looks vibrant and full of life…
Say it gently:
Ao ao…
Sometimes repeating a color makes nature feel wonderfully alive.
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