Useful Onomatopoeia to Talk About “Pain” in Japanese
Table of Contents
1. Onomatopoeia to Describe “Pain”
2. What is an Onomatopoeia?
3. Onomatopoeia for Expressing Momentary Pain
4. Onomatopoeia for Expressing Continuous Pain
5. Onomatopoeia for Stimulating and Sudden Pain
6. Onomatopoeia for Heavy, Dull Pain
7. Summary
8. Similer Articles
9. Comment
Q: When I went to the hospital, the doctor asked, “ズキズキ痛みますか?” and I didn’t understand what that meant. Are there many onomatopoeic words to express pain?
A: Yes, there are many onomatopoeic words to describe pain. They generally fall into two categories: “momentary pain” and “pain that continues as a symptom.” These expressions are commonly used in everyday life by children and adults alike, so it’s very helpful to remember them. Let’s go through each one!
What is an Onomatopoeia?
Onomatopoeia is a distinctive feature of the Japanese language. It conveys sounds, states, and emotions in a vivid, often sensory way—both visually and auditorily.
In particular, onomatopoeic words for pain are often used in daily conversation in Japanese to precisely describe different types of pain, such as momentary pain, pain that lasts for a while, or heavy, dull pain.
This article will introduce some of the most common onomatopoeia for pain and explain their nuances and usage in detail.
Onomatopoeia for Expressing Momentary Pain
[ズキッ/ずきっ]
This onomatopoeia describes both physical and mental pain.
◆ Physical Pain – A sharp, stabbing pain that happens in an instant.
[Examples]
食べ物を口に入れて噛んだ瞬間、歯がズキッと痛みました。
The moment I bit into the food, my tooth throbbed sharply.
この間、けがしたところがズキッとしました。
The other day, the place I had injured throbbed suddenly.
◆ Mental Pain – A sudden pain in the heart caused by emotional hurt or sadness.
[Examples]
恋人に「もう好きじゃない」と言われて、胸がズキッとしました。（Emotional pain）
When my partner told me “I don’t love you anymore,” my chest ached sharply.
この失恋ソングを聞くと、胸がズキッと痛みます。（A sense of sadness）
When I listen to this heartbreak song, my chest hurts sharply.
[チクッ/ちくっ]
This expression is used for the pain that comes when the tip of something thin, like a needle, pierces the skin.
[Examples]
（医者が患者に注射をするとき）「少しチクッとしますよ。」
(When the doctor is about to give a patient an injection) “It’s going to sting a little.”
指がチクッとしたと思ったら、小さな棘が刺さっていました。
When I felt a sharp prick in my finger, I realized a small thorn had gotten stuck.
Onomatopoeia for Expressing Continuous Pain
[ズキズキ/ずきずき]
This onomatopoeia describes both physical and mental pain.
◆ Physical Pain – A nerve-related pain that throbs repeatedly, like a pulse.
[Examples]
昨日は飲みすぎて、頭がズキズキしています。
I drank too much yesterday, so my head is throbbing.
虫歯がずっとズキズキするので、歯医者で診てもらおうと思います。
My tooth has been throbbing constantly, so I think I will have it checked by a dentist.
◆ Mental Pain – A feeling of lingering emotional pain that continues for a while.
[Examples]
別れ際の彼女の涙を思い出すたびに、心がズキズキと痛みます。
Whenever I remember my girlfriend’s tears at the time of our parting, my heart aches with a throbbing pain.
友達に言われたひどい一言で、今も心がズキズキしています。
Even now, my heart still aches with a throbbing pain because of the harsh words my friend said to me.
[ヒリヒリ/ひりひり]
It describes a burning pain on the surface of the body caused by heat, or a mild, irritating pain caused by friction.
[Examples]
今日は日差しが強くて、肌が焼けてヒリヒリしています。
The sun is very strong today, and my skin is burning and stinging.
壁でこすったところがヒリヒリして、なかなか治りません。
The spot I scraped on the wall is stinging and not healing easily.
[ジンジン/じんじん]
It describes pain caused by numbness, or pain that comes with a tingling, numb-like sensation.
[Examples]
長い時間、正座をしたせいで足がジンジンしています。
Because I was sitting in the seiza position for a long time, my legs are tingling.
重い荷物を持って、なんだか手がジンジンしてきました。
After carrying a heavy load, my hands have started to tingle as well.
[シクシク/しくしく]
A dull, weak pain that continues for a long time. It is mainly used to describe pain in the stomach or internal organs.
[Examples]
お腹がシクシク痛んで、食欲がありません。
My stomach has a dull, nagging pain and I have no appetite.
ずっと胃がシクシク痛んでいて、病院に行くか悩んでいます。
I’ve been having a dull, nagging pain in my stomach for a long time, and I’m debating whether I should go to the hospital.
[チクチク/ちくちく]
It refers to a small, repeated prickling pain, like being poked by tiny needles.
[Examples]
乾燥で肌がチクチクします。
My skin feels prickly because of the dryness.
セーターのタグが首に当たってチクチクします。
The tag of my sweater is rubbing against my neck and it feels prickly.
Onomatopoeia for Stimulating and Sudden Pain
[ガンガン/がんがん]
This expression is mainly used for headaches and describes a strong, intense pain.
[Examples]
片頭痛で頭がガンガンして、仕事もできません。
I have a migraine, and my head is pounding so much that I can’t work.
風邪で頭がガンガンしてきたので、頭痛薬を飲みました。
I started to get a pounding headache because of a cold, so I took some headache medicine.
Onomatopoeia for Heavy, Dull Pain
[ズーン/ずーん]
This onomatopoeia describes both physical and mental pain.
◆ Physical Pain – It mainly describes a heavy, dull pain in the head.
[Examples]
頭がズーンと重くて、仕事に集中できません。
My head feels heavy and dull, and I can’t focus on my work.
胃のあたりにズーンとした鈍い痛みが続いています。
I have a dull, heavy pain around my stomach that just won’t go away.
◆ Mental Pain – It describes a heavy, sinking feeling in the heart, with a sense of depression and lack of energy.
[Examples]
面接の不合格の通知を受け取り、気持ちがズーンと沈みました。
I received the notice that I didn’t pass the interview, and my feelings sank heavily.
誰にも相談できず、ズーンとした気持ちを抱えています。
I can’t talk to anyone about it, and I’ve been carrying around a heavy, sinking feeling.
Summary
| Onomatopoeia | Physical Pain | Mental Pain | |
|---|---|---|---|
| ズキッ | Momentary pain | A sharp, stabbing, momentary pain. | The momentary pain of a wounded heart, or feelings of sadness and poignancy triggered by an event. |
| チクッ | A sharp pain like a needle prick. | ー | |
| ズキズキ | Continuous pain | A continuous, throbbing pain like a pulsing nerve. | A persistent, throbbing emotional pain. |
| ヒリヒリ | A burning or stinging pain on the surface of the body, caused by heat or friction. | － | |
| ジンジン | A tingling pain or the kind of pain that comes with numbness. | － | |
| シクシク | A dull, weak pain that continues for a long time, often in the stomach or internal organs. | － | |
| チクチク | A small, repeated prickling pain like being poked by tiny needles. | － | |
| ガンガン | Stimulating/sudden pain | A strong, intense pain, mainly used for headaches. | － |
| ズーン | Heavy/dull pain | A heavy, dull pain, mainly felt in the head. | A heavy, sinking feeling of depression and lack of energy. |
