Japanese Onomatopoeia · 05 of 10
ペコペコ
Oss! Day 5. This one has TWO meanings, and I bet you only know one.
ペコペコ
Means BOTH "starving" AND "bowing repeatedly."
Why this sound exists (the cool part)
ペコ is the sound of something caving in. When you bow, your body bends down: ペコッ. When you're hungry, your stomach feels caved in: ペコペコ. Same sound. Different cave.
How to use it
Use it for hunger: A: お腹空いた？ B: ペコペコ〜！ For bowing: when someone bows over and over. あの人めっちゃペコペコしてた.