Japanese Onomatopoeia · 07 of 10
キラキラ
Oss! Day 7. The most beautiful onomatopoeia in Japanese.
キラキラ
Means "sparkling / shining / glittering."
Why this sound exists
This one's amazing. キラ has no real sound. Light is silent. But Japanese decided that the moment something CATCHES the light, that flash, deserves a sound. So we MADE one. キラッ. Light became sound.
How to use it
Use it for: night views, jewelry, the ocean, eyes, stars. A: 大阪の夜景キラキラやな〜！ B: ほんまやな〜！ Dotonbori at night? キラキラ. Fireworks? キラキラ. Someone's eyes? キラキラ.