Alright, so this time around we’re going to look at the Japanese onomatopoeia that are called gitaigo (擬態語). Unlike giseigo (擬声語), which is what I discussed last post, gitaigo (擬態語) is the type of onomatopoeia that describes psychological conditions and physical states.

ドキドキ : doki doki (describes nervousness)

ピリピリ : piri piri (describes someone who is on edge or feeling testy)

ムカムカ : muka muka (describes the feeling of disgust, or wanting to vomit)

ワクワク : waku waku (describes the feeling of being excited)

フラフラ : fura fura (describes the feeling of light-headedness or dizziness)

ベタベタ : beta beta (describes the feeling of stickiness, like a hot, humid day)

ピンピン : pin pin (describes the feeling of being lively or animated)

メロメロ : mero mero (describes the feeling of being upset or distressed)

フワフワ : fuwa fuwa (describes the feeling of being light, fluffy or airy)

イライラ : ira ira (describes the feeling of being impatient)

ヌクヌク : nuku nuku (describes the feeling of being warm, snug or comfortable)

ソワソワ : sowa sowa (describes the feeling of being restless or fidgety)

ヒリヒリ : hiri hiri (describes the feeling of something fluttering)

ハキハキ : haki haki (describes the feeling of quickness or briskness)