{"id":2557,"date":"2025-10-13T00:00:00","date_gmt":"2025-10-12T15:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/?p=2557"},"modified":"2026-03-14T21:33:33","modified_gmt":"2026-03-14T12:33:33","slug":"japanese-sound-words-loved-in-china-from-pika-pika-to-zawa-zawa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/?p=2557","title":{"rendered":"Japanese Sound Words Loved in China: From \u201cPika Pika\u201d to \u201cZawa Zawa\u201d"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Did you know that many Japanese onomatopoeia<\/a> are not only recognized in China but also actively used, referenced, and compared to Chinese equivalents?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Thanks to anime, manga, language learners, and internet culture, sound words like pika pika<\/em> and zawa zawa<\/em> are becoming increasingly familiar to Chinese fans.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

How Chinese Fans First Encounter Japanese Onomatopoeia<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Japanese sound words are not usually taught in formal language classes \u2014

but many Chinese fans come across them naturally through pop culture. Here are some of the main ways they discover and enjoy these expressive words:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Language and culture videos<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Some Chinese content creators and educators highlight Japanese onomatopoeia in comparison with Chinese sound words, showing the unique character of Japanese sound symbolism and how it contrasts with or complements Chinese expressions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anime (e.g., Doraemon, Detective Conan, Naruto)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Japanese sound words are embedded in character expressions, reaction scenes, or comedic moments. Many Chinese viewers pick them up while watching anime with subtitles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Manga (with sound effects left in original Japanese)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Chinese manga editions often retain the original Japanese sound effects, and readers learn their meanings through context or small translations printed in the margins.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Cosplay culture<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

At events like Comicup<\/strong> or Bilibili<\/strong> World, fans use Japanese onomatopoeia on props, signs, or cosplay captions \u2014 especially those that add a humorous or emotional tone, like guuuu…<\/strong><\/em> or shiin…<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YouTube, Bilibili, and Douyin trends<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Japanese sound words frequently appear in short videos and memes \u2014 not only for their literal meaning but for their quirky, catchy rhythm and visual fun.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Popular Japanese Sound Words in China<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Below are some of the most recognized and loved Japanese sound words that Chinese fans often encounter \u2014 many of them spark comparisons with Chinese equivalents, making the experience even more interesting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pika Pika (\u3074\u304b\u3074\u304b)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Sparkling or shiny
Where it appears:<\/strong> Pok\u00e9mon, magical scenes, cleaning advertisements<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Made globally famous by Pikachu, pika pika<\/em> is instantly recognizable to most Chinese fans. It\u2019s associated with cuteness, lightning, and sparkling energy \u2014 and is often compared to the Chinese sound word “\u4eae\u6676\u6676 (li\u00e0ng j\u012bng j\u012bng)<\/strong>.”<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Is \u201cPika Pika\u201d? The Japanese Sound of Bright, Shining Light<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEver seen freshly polished shoes catching the sunlight?Or a lighthouse beam sweeping across the dark ocean, flashing brightly?That\u2019s when the Japanese onomat…<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n
\n \n \"Watch\n
\n \u25b6\n <\/div>\n <\/a>\n\n
\n \n \u25b6 Watch on YouTube\n <\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n\n

Nyaa (\u306b\u3083\u3042)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Cat\u2019s meow
Where it appears:<\/strong> Anime mascots, cat characters, online stickers<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u30cb\u30e3\u30fc<\/em> is similar to the Chinese sound \u55b5 (mi\u0101o)<\/em> and feels very familiar. Its cute rhythm makes it popular in cosplay, stickers, and voice-over trends.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Sound Do Cats Make in Japanese? Discover the cutest \u201cMeow\u201d You\u2019ve Never Heard This Way<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhen a cat strolls by and lets out a soft \u201cmeow,\u201d what do the Japanese hear?They hear \u201cNyaa nyaa!\u201d (\u306b\u3083\u3041\u306b\u3083\u3042)\u2014 the adorable sound of a cat\u2019s voice in Jap…<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Guuuu (\u3050\u30fc)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Stomach growling
Where it appears:<\/strong> Comedy scenes, hungry characters<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This soft rumbling sound shows up a lot in anime when characters are hungry. Fans enjoy comparing it with the Chinese \u5495\u565c\u5495\u565c (g\u016bl\u016b g\u016bl\u016b)<\/em> \u2014 both are adorable ways to express a rumbling tummy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Zawa Zawa (\u3056\u308f\u3056\u308f)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Uneasy murmuring, crowd noise
Where it appears:<\/strong> Suspense scenes, tense atmospheres<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Chinese fans love zawa zawa<\/em> for its emotional depth. It has no direct Chinese equivalent but evokes feelings similar to \u5608\u6742 (c\u00e1oz\u00e1)<\/em> or \u9a9a\u52a8 (s\u0101od\u00f2ng)<\/em>. It’s widely used in memes and dramatic fan edits.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Is \u201cZawa Zawa\u201d? The Japanese Sound of Restless Murmurs and Subtle Unease<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEver walked through a crowd, feeling the air buzz with soft voices?Or stood in the woods, hearing the leaves rustle restlessly in the wind? That\u2019s when the J…<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Shiin… (\u30b7\u30fc\u30f3…)<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Meaning:<\/strong> Silence, awkward pause
Where it appears:<\/strong> Comedic moments, tension breaks<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This sound of silence feels unique to Japanese \u2014 it\u2019s often recreated visually in manga or anime and makes people laugh. Some Chinese fans have even adapted it into comic panels or emoji-style chat bubbles.<\/p>\n\n\n

\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Is \u201cShiiin\u2026\u201d? The Japanese Sound of Total Silence and Crickets Chirping<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tEver felt the air freeze in awkward silence? Or watched a scene where even the crickets stopped chirping?That\u2019s when the Japanese onomatopoeia \u201cShiiin\u2026\u201d (\u3057…<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n
\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\u3042\u308f\u305b\u3066\u8aad\u307f\u305f\u3044<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t
\"\"<\/figure><\/div>\t\t\t\t\t
\n\t\t\t\t\t\tWhat Does \u201cDead Silence\u201d or \u201cAwkward Silence\u201d Sound Like in Japanese? Let\u2019s Dive into Anime &…<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t\t\tIn English-language anime and manga, you may come across expressions like \u201cDead Silence\u201d or \u201cAwkward Silence\u201d during quiet scenes \u2014 moments that feel tense, …<\/span>\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\n

Why Chinese Fans Love These Words<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Often used in cosplay, comics, social media, and reaction videos<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sound words are fun to mimic, even if one doesn\u2019t speak Japanese<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Many of them feel surprisingly close to Chinese sound expressions<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They express moods and emotions in a playful, intuitive way<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fun Fact<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Some Chinese manhua (comics) artists occasionally borrow Japanese onomatopoeia like zawa zawa<\/strong><\/em> or pika pika<\/strong><\/em> for stylization or parody, especially when mimicking manga tropes.

These words cross cultural borders through emotion and sound!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Home<\/span><\/a><\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Did you know that many Japanese onomatopoeia are not only recognized in China but also actively used, referenced, and compared to Chinese equivalents? Thanks to anime, manga, language learners, and internet culture, sound words like pika pika and zawa zawa are becoming increasingly familiar to Chinese fans. How Chinese Fans First Encounter Japanese Onomatopoeia Japanese […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":2568,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"swell_btn_cv_data":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[22,23],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2557","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-in-the-world-2","category-japanese"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=2557"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":7362,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/2557\/revisions\/7362"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/media\/2568"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=2557"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=2557"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/punipunidictionary.com\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=2557"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}