Onomatopoeia — Japanese Sound Words

Frantic flapping or stomping sounds; being very busy and rushing around; hectic chaos

Sticky and tacky to the touch — or clinging all over someone in an overly affectionate way

Spacing out, absent-minded, hazy — describes a vague or unfocused mental state, or something blurry and indistinct

The sound/feeling of a pounding heartbeat — from nervousness, excitement, fear, or love

A heavy banging or drumming sound — also figuratively "rapidly, steadily"

Soft, fluffy, light — describes airy textures like cotton candy, fluffy pancakes, or floating gently

Rattling or clanking metallic sounds; also the name for capsule toy vending machines (from the sound of turning the crank)

A loud, blaring, pounding sound — blasting music, banging metal, a pounding headache, or going at something full force

A rattling or shaking sound — also the act of trembling from cold or fear

Gulping down a drink in big, audible swallows — water, beer, or milk after working up a thirst

Rumbling (thunder); rolling (something heavy); lounging/lazing around doing nothing

Spinning around, swirling, going in circles — describes circular motion, spirals, or feeling dizzy

Limp and drained, completely worn out — from exhaustion, summer heat, or illness

The tense, worried feeling of watching something that might go wrong — anxiety from the outside looking in

Irritated, frustrated, annoyed — the prickly, agitated feeling of growing impatience or anger

Staring intently and openly, often rudely — looking someone up and down or scrutinizing closely

The sound of a frog croaking — Japanese "ribbit ribbit"

Sparkling, glittering, twinkling — describes anything that shines with small, scattered points of light

Steady, patient effort done little by little, day after day

A soft, suppressed giggle — quiet laughter held behind the hand

A total mess, chaotic, wrecked — also used as a powerful intensifier meaning "extremely, ridiculously, insanely"

Soft, chewy, springy, and stretchy texture — the mouthfeel of fresh mochi or the bouncy feel of well-hydrated skin

Soft, fluffy, plush — describes the irresistible texture of fluffy animals, blankets, or anything cuddly

Chewing slowly and thoroughly with a closed mouth — the small, repeated movement of jaws working on food

A queasy, churning feeling — physical nausea or simmering anger

Smiling warmly and happily — a gentle, content smile (not laughing, just beaming)

Grinning or smirking to oneself — smugly, knowingly, or while thinking of something amusing

The sound of a cat meowing — Japanese "meow meow"

A crackling, snapping sound — clapping, fire crackling, sparks, or rapid blinking

Eating heartily with repeated, quick bites — or a mouth opening and closing like a fish

Starving, famished (stomach growling) — also describes bowing repeatedly or being overly obsequious

Speaking fluently and smoothly (especially a foreign language); also thin/flimsy (like paper)

The action of repeatedly licking — an ice cream, a lollipop, a stamp, or a pet grooming itself

Sparkling, shiny, gleaming — describes something that shines brightly or looks brand new and polished

Hopping lightly and repeatedly, with both feet or legs leaving the ground — the cute, springy jump of a rabbit, frog, or excited child

A light, dry, crisp crunch — the sound and feel of biting into tempura, a cookie, or a flaky pastry; metaphorically, work that moves along smoothly

Smooth, silky, and dry — flowing effortlessly without resistance

Complete, dead silence — the paradoxical "sound" of absolute quiet; often used in manga for awkward or dramatic silence

The soft, continuous sound of quiet sobbing — also a dull, throbbing pain

Snow falling silently, or cold and stillness deepening — a quiet intensification you sense rather than hear

Restless, fidgety, antsy — the jittery feeling of being unable to sit still from excitement, nervousness, or anticipation

The peaceful, gentle sound/state of someone sleeping soundly

Cold, standoffish, prickly behavior; also the state of something thin and sharp sticking straight up, like spiky hair or plant shoots

Smooth and slippery to the touch — also the sound/action of slurping noodles quickly

Feeling cheerful, light-hearted, and giddy — buoyant with happy anticipation of something fun

Dozing off, nodding off — the state of drifting in and out of light sleep, often unintentionally

Trembling with excitement or anticipation — the feeling before something fun is about to happen

The sound of a dog barking — Japanese "woof woof"

The sound of heavy rain pouring down — a sustained, rushing downpour

A throbbing, pulsing pain that comes in waves — a headache, a toothache, or a fresh wound