Japanese Onomatopoeia Frequently Used in Winter

Table of Contents

1. Onomatopoeia used in Winter
2. What is an onomatopoeia?
3. Onomatopoeia that express cold
4. Onomatopoeia that describe winter weather
5. Onomatopoeia that describe the way snow falls
6. Summary
7. Similar Articles
8. Comment

Q: I read the sentence, “雪ゆきがしんしんと降ふり続つづいています,” and I found it to be a very beautiful expression. Are there other onomatopoeia that describe how snow falls or that are commonly used in winter?

A: In addition to “しんしん,” there are several onomatopoeia that describe different ways snow falls. Choosing the right one for each scene allows for more nuanced and expressive descriptions.

What is an onomatopoeia?

Onomatopoeia is one of the distinctive features of the Japanese language, playing a role in visually and auditorily conveying sounds, states, and emotions.

Particularly in winter, many onomatopoeia are used to describe the cold and the way snow falls.

In this article, we will introduce commonly used winter onomatopoeia in detail, explaining their nuances and how they are used.

Onomatopoeia that express cold

First, let’s look at onomatopoeia that express cold.
Here are some onomatopoeia commonly used when the winter cold seeps into the body.ます。

[ぶるぶる]

The state of the body trembling in small movements due to cold or fear.

[Examples]
寒さむくて体からだがぶるぶる震ふるえました。
It was so cold that my body trembled uncontrollably.

今朝けさは、コートを着きてもぶるぶる震ふるえるほど寒さむかったです。
This morning, it was so cold that I shivered even with my coat on.

[がたがた]

The state of trembling so intensely that one’s teeth chatter.

[Examples]
冷つめたい風かぜが吹ふきつけ、体からだががたがた震ふるえました。
A cold wind blew against me, making my body shiver violently.

凍こごえる寒さむさの中なか、駅えきで電車でんしゃを待まちながらがたがたと震ふるえていました。
In the freezing cold, I shivered while waiting for the train at the station.

[じんじん]

A sensation where cold or pain lingers and gradually spreads.

[Examples]
スキー場じょうで遊あそんだら、手足てあしがじんじんするほど冷つめたくなりました。
After playing at the ski resort, my hands and feet became so cold that they tingled.

雪ゆきの中なかを長ちょう時間じかん歩あるいたせいで、つま先さきがじんじんと痛いたみ始はじめました。
After walking for a long time in the snow, my toes started to tingle with pain.

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There are also onomatopoeia that emphasize warmth in contrast to the cold.

[ぬくぬく]

A state where warmth can be fully felt in the cold, accompanied by a sense of comfort and security.

[Examples]
寒さむい日ひはこたつでぬくぬくするのが一番いちばんです。
On cold days, the best thing to do is to stay warm and cozy under the kotatsu.

外そとは雪ゆきが降ふっているけれど、ストーブの前まえでぬくぬくと読書どくしょを楽たのしんでいます。
It’s snowing outside, but I’m enjoying reading while feeling nice and warm in front of the stove.

By using these onomatopoeia, you can convey the degree of cold and its effects more specifically.

Onomatopoeia that describe winter weather

There are also many onomatopoeia that express winter weather and changes in temperature.

[きーん]

The sensation of cold air piercing the skin as it becomes chilly.

[Examples]
空気くうきがきーんと冷ひえています。
The air is sharply cold.

山やまの上うえは空気くうきがきーんとしていて、とても寒さむかったです。
At the top of the mountain, the air was piercingly cold, and it was freezing.

[ひゅーひゅー]

The sound of cold wind blowing and the sensation of the body becoming chilled due to its effect.

[Examples]
ひゅーひゅーと風かぜが吹ふいて、体からだが震ふるえました。
The wind was whistling as it blew, making my body shiver.

夜よるになるとひゅーひゅーと冷つめたい風かぜの音おとが聞きこえてきました。
At night, I could hear the cold wind whistling.

[ぴゅーぴゅー]

The state of a strong wind blowing through.

[Examples]
外そとではぴゅーぴゅーと冷つめたい風かぜが吹ふいています。
Outside, a cold wind is blowing strongly.

海辺うみべでは、ぴゅーぴゅーと風かぜが吹ふきつけています。
At the seaside, the wind is blowing fiercely.

Onomatopoeia that describe the way snow falls

The way snow falls is expressed using different onomatopoeia depending on the type of snow and how it falls.

[しんしん]

The state of snow falling and accumulating silently and peacefully.

[Example]
雪ゆきがしんしんと降ふっています。
The snow is falling silently and steadily.

[ちらちら]

The state of fine snowflakes dancing in the wind as they fall.

[Example]
雪ゆきがちらちらと舞まいはじめました。
The snow has started to flutter down.

[ぼたぼた]

The state of large snowflakes, rich in moisture, falling to the ground.

[Example]
ぼたぼたと降ふってくる雪ゆきを、「ぼた雪ゆき」と呼よびます。
The large, heavy snow falling in thick clumps is called ‘bota-yuki’.

[ぱらぱら]

The state of snow falling lightly and sparsely.

[Example]
午後ごごから雪ゆきがぱらぱらと降ふり始はじめました。
In the afternoon, the snow began to fall lightly.

[はらはら]

The state of powdery snow quietly drifting down.

[Example]
はらはらと粉雪こなゆきが舞まっています。
Powdery snow is gently drifting down.

[こんこん]

The state of snow falling continuously for a long time.

[Example]
昨晩さくばんから雪ゆきがこんこんと降ふっています。
Since last night, the snow has been falling continuously and quietly.

By using these onomatopoeia, you can describe the way snow falls and the texture of the cold in greater detail.
However, most of these are used specifically for snow and are not applied to describe rainfall.

Summary

What did you think?
By using onomatopoeia when talking about winter’s cold and snowy landscapes, you can create more immersive expressions.
These onomatopoeia not only convey the seasonal atmosphere of winter but also highlight the richness of the Japanese language. Incorporating them into conversations and writing helps you express more vivid images to others.
Try using them in your daily expressions!

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Comment for any questions!