Onomatopoeia
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2008-07-16T23:30:39Z
Blanchardb
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Reverted edits by [[Special:Contributions/121.220.129.84|121.220.129.84]] to last version by 84.193.195.123 (using [[WP:HG|Huggle]])
{{for|the supervillain|Onomatopoeia (comics)}}
{{wiktionarypar|onomatopoeia}}
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'''Onomatopoeia''' (also spelled '''onomatopœia''', from [[Greek language|Greek]] ''ονοματοποιία'') is a [[word]] or a grouping of words that imitates the sound it is describing, suggesting its source object, such as "click," "bunk", "clang," "buzz," "bang," or animal noises such as "oink", "slurp", or "meow". The word is a synthesis of the Greek words όνομα (onoma, = "name") and ποιέω (poieō, = "I make" or "I create") thus it essentially means "name creation", although it makes more sense combining "name" and "I do", meaning it is named (and spelled) as it sounds (e.g. quack, bang, etc.).
==Variations in onomatopoeia among languages==
Onomatopoeic words exist in every language, although they are different in each. For example:
===[[Bird]] singing===
* In [[Brazilian Portuguese language|Brazilian Portuguese]], ''piu-piu''
* In [[Catalan language|Catalan]], ''piu piu''
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''píp píp'' /peep, peep/
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''twiet twiet'', "pok pok pok" (hen(chicken))
* In [[English language|English]], ''chirp chirp'', ''tweet''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''tviit'', ''piip piip'', ''ti-pi-tii'', ''ti-ti-tyy'' ([[Great Tit]])
* In [[French language|French]], ''cui, cui''
* In [[German language|German]], ''piep piep'' /peep, peep/ , ''tschiep''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], ''csip csip''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''cip cip'', ''pio pio'' (for chicks)
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''ćwir ćwir''
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''piu piu''
* In [[Romanian language|Romanian]], ''cip cirip''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''kumu kumu'' (කුමු-කුමු)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''pío, pío''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''twitwittwit''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''cik cik'' /dʒik dʒik/
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''chirik chirik'' (чирик, чирик)
===Cannon firing or gun shot===
* In [[Arabic]], ''bom'', ''bov''
* In [[Brazilian Portuguese language|Brazilian Portuguese]], ''bum''
* In [[Catalan language|Catalan]], ''pam''
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], cannon firing - ''peng!'' (嘭 or 砰); gun firing - ''Ping, Pang or Pa'' (乒 or 啪) (乒 also means "[[table tennis]]"); machine gun - ''da da da...'' (嗒嗒嗒) (嗒 singly means "clatter")
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''bang'', ''bum''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], cannon firing - ''bang'', gun firing - ''pang'', machine gun - bratatata
* In [[English language|English]], ''bang'', "brap", ''boom'', or ''pow''
* in [[Estonian language|Estonian]], ''põmm''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''pum'', ''pam'': generally for all gunfire and explosions; ''ra-ta-ta-ta-ta-ta'': a example of fully automatic gunfire.
* In [[French language|French]], ''pan'': a gun or cannon firing
* In [[German language|German]], ''peng'', ''puff'', ''päng'' (pistol); ''rat-tat-tat-tat'' (machine gun); ''Bumm'', ''Rumms'', ''Kawumm'' (cannon)
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''bam'', ''(μπαμ)''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''bumm''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''bum'', ''bang''
* In [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], ''búmm'' or ''bamm''
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''bumpt''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''bum''
* In [[Romanian language|Romanian ]], ''bum''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''disum'' (ඩිසුම්); ''daka-daka-daka'' (ඩක-ඩක-ඩක) - automatic weapon; ''dung'' (ඩුං) - single shot
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''pum'' or ''bang''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''pang'' or ''bang'': a gun shot
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''bam'': a gun shot or ''bom'': a cannon firing
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''bum'' (בום)
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''dhaam''
===Cat [[meow]]ing===
* In [[Arabic]], ''miao''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: মিউ মিউ ''miu miu''
* In [[Brazilian Portuguese language|Brazilian Portuguese]], ''miau''
* In [[Catalan language|Catalan]], ''mèu'' {{IPA|[mɛu]}}
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''mňau'' {{IPA|[mñow]}}
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''mēu-mēu'' (喵喵)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''miāo miāo'' (喵喵)
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''mjau''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''miauw''
* In [[English language|English]], ''meow'' {{IPA|[miˈaʊ]}}, ''miaow'' (UK), or ''mew'' {{IPA|[mjuː]}}
* In [[Estonian language|Estonian]], ''mjäu'', ''njäu''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''ngyaw''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''miau''
* In [[French language|French]], ''miaou'' {{IPA|[mja.u]}}
* In [[German language|German]], ''miau''
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''niau'', ''(νιάου)''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''miaw'' (מיאו)
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''miaú, nyau''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''miao miao''
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''nyā'' (にゃあ)
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], ''yaong'' ({{lang|ko|야옹}})
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''miau''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''miau''
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''miau''
* In [[Romanian language|Romanian ]], ''miau''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''myau'' (мяу)
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''gnaaw'' (ඤාවු) and ''puru puru'' (පුරු-පුරු) - purring
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''miau'' {{IPA|[mjaʊ]}}
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''mjau'' or ''mjao''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''miyav''
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''miao(m)''
* In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''miaow(m)''
* In [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], ''meo''
===Collision sounds===
* In [[Arabic]], ''bom'' , ''trakh''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: ঠাস ''ṭhash'' ঠুস ''ṭhush'' ধুম ''dhum'' ধাম ''dham''
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''bìhng-līng baang-làahng'' (乒鈴嘭唥)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], larger objects crashing, buildings falling down or bigger bombs detonating - ''Hong'' (轰); describing glass shattering or metal objects falling to ground - ''guang-dang'' (哐当) or ''guang-lang'' (哐啷)
* In [[English language|English]]: ''boom'', ''crunch''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''boem'', ''knal''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]]: ''ryskis'', ''kolin'', ''rämin''
* In [[French language|French]], ''bing'' or ''bang'' or ''boum''
* In [[German language|German]], ''rums'' or ''bums''
* In [[Gilbertese language|Gilbertese]]. ''beeku'': a collision.
* In [[Haitian Creole language|Haitian Creole]], ''bip'': the sound of a collision (eg. a car crash).
* In [[Korean language|Korean ]]: ''Koong'': the equivalent of ''bang bang'' in English.
* In [[Latin]], ''tuxtax'' was the equivalent of ''bam'' or ''whack'' and was meant to imitate the sound of blows landing.
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''bumpt''
* In [[Malay language|Malay]], ''gedebam-gedebum''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''güm''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''bum'', ''trakh'' (בום, טראח)
* In [[Hindi language| Hindi]], ''dhishumm'', ''dhishum''
* In [[Tamil language| Tamil]], ''dhishumm'', ''dhishum''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''sbam''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''dhadas'' (දඩස්)
===[[Crow]] calling===
* In [[Arabic]], ''qa qa''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: কা কা ''ka ka''
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''ya-ya'' (哑哑) (哑 means "[[mute]]")
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''krá krá''
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''kra kra''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''kra kra''
* In [[English language|English]], ''caw caw''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''kraa kraa''
* In [[French language|French]], ''crôa crôa''
* In [[German language|German]], ''krah krah''
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''kra kra'', ''(κρα κρα)''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''kár kár''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''cra cra''
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''kaa kaa'', ''gaa gaa'', ''ahoo ahoo''
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''kar kar''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''kra kra''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''karr karr'' (кар-кар)
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''kark kark'' (කාක්-කාක්)
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''kra kra'' or ''krax krax''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''gaak gaak''
* In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''kha-kha''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''kra kra'' (קְרה קְרה).
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''kaau kaau''
===Dangling===
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''dìuh-díu fihng'' (吊吊捹)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], objects creaking when swaying - ''yiya yiya'' (咿呀 咿呀)
* In [[Dutch Language|Dutch]], ''doing-doing-doing'' referring to something dangling in a vertical motion.
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''kilin'', ''helin''
* In [[Korean language|Korean ]], ''dal-lang dal-lang'' evoking the feeling of something dangling, slightly swaying.
===Dog barking===
* In [[Arabic]], ''haw haw''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: ঘেউ ঘেউ ''gheu gheu'', ভেউ ভেউ ''bheu bheu'', ভউ ভউ ''bhou bhou''
* In [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], ''bow bow''
* In [[Catalan language|Catalan]], ''bup bup''
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''haf haf''
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''wōu-wōu'' (㕵㕵)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''wāng wāng'' (汪汪) (汪汪 also means "tearful")
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''vuf vuf'', ''vov vov'', ''bjæf bjæf''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''waf waf'', ''woef woef''
* In [[English language|English]], ''woof woof'', ''arf arf'', ''bow wow'', ''bark bark''
* In [[Estonian language|Estonian]], ''auh auh''
* In [[French language|French]], ''ouaf ouaf''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]] ''hau hau''
* In [[German language|German]], ''wau wau'', ''waff waff'', ''wuff wuff'
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''gav gav'' (γαβ γαβ)
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''vau vau''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''bau bau''
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''wan wan'' (わんわん)
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], ''meong meong'' ({{lang|ko|멍멍}})
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian ]], ''au au''
* In [[Romanian language|Romanian]], ''ham ham''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''gaf gaf'' ({{lang|ru|гав-гав}})
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''hau hau''
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''ão ão''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''bhu bhu'' (බුඃ බුඃ)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''guau guau''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''vov vov'', ''voff voff''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''hav hav''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''kaw kaw''
* In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''vovw-vovw''
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''au-au ''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''haw haw'', ''hav hav'' (האו האו, הב הב)
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''bau bau''
===Frog croaking===
* In [[Ancient Greek]], ''brekekekex koax koax''
* In [[Modern Greek]], ''kuax kuax'', ''(Κουάξ Κουάξ)''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: মক মক ''môk môk'', কট কট ''kôṭ kôṭ''
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]]: ''guā guā'' (呱呱) (The Chinese onomatopoeic signs usually feature a "口" (mouth, oral) part on its left)
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''kvá kvá''
* In [[Danish language|Danish]]: ''kvæk kvæk''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]]: ''kwaak kwaak''
* In [[English language|English]], ''ribbet ribbet''
* In [[Estonian language|Estonian]] ''krooks krooks''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]] ''kurr kurr'', ''kroak''
* In [[French language|French]], ''croac croac''
* In [[Galician language|Galician]], ''cro cro''
* In [[German language|German]], ''quak quak''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''cra cra''
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''kero kero'' (けろけろ)
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], ''gaegool gaegool'' ({{lang|ko|개굴개굴}})
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''kva kva''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''kum kum''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''qvah qvah'' ({{lang|ru|ква ква}})
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''baka baka'' (බක බක)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''croac croac''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''kvack kvack'', ''ko ack ack ack''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''vrak vrak''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''kokak kokak''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''brekeke, brekk brekk''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''kwwa kwwa'' (קווה קווה)
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''beka beka''
===[[Geese]] calling===
* In [[English language|English]], ''honk honk''
* In [[French language|French]], ''ca car''
* In [[German language|German]], ''gack gack''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''bak bak'' (באק באק).
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], ''gá gá''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''qua qua''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''gę gę''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''ga-ga-ga'' (га-га-га)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''cuá cuá''
* In [[Korea language|Korean]], Kkwak-Kkwak(꽤액-꽤액)
===[[Heart]] beating===
* In [[Arabic]], ''bom bom''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: দুরদুর ''durdur'', দুড়দুড় ''duṛduṛ''
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]] - ''bìhng-bìhng'' (砰砰)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], slightly excited - ''tong-tong'' (嗵嗵), excited - ''peng-peng'' (砰砰)
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''boenk boenk'', ''boem boem''
* In [[English language|English]] ''lub, dub''
* In [[Estonian language|Estonian]], ''tuks tuks''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''tu-tum'', ''tykyn''
* In [[German language|German]], ''ba-dumm''
* In [[Hindi]] ''daḍak'' (''pronounced'' {{IPA|/ˈd̪əɖək/}}) and [[Urdu]] ''dhakdhak'': a person's heartbeat, indicative of the sound of one beat.
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''doki doki'' (ドキドキ): the (speeding up of the) beating of a heart (and thus excitement).
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], ''doogeun doogeun'' ({{lang|ko|두근두근}})
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''tun-tum''
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''tuk tuk''
* In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''lappu-tappu''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''bum-búm'' (בום-בום).
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''dunk, dunk''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''dup dup''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], "tuk-tuk" (тук-тук)
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''tu tump''
===[[Kissing]]===
* In [[Arabic]], ''mwa''
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''møs''
* in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''smak''
* In [[English language|English]]: ''smooch'' or ''mwah''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: চুমা ''chuma'' (noun)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]]: ''boh'' (啵) (This word is a modern creation)
* In [[German language|German]]: ''muah''
* In [[Greek language|Greek]]: ''ma or smats'', ''(μα or σματς)''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]]: ''cupp''
* In [[Korean language|Korean]]: ''zzohk''
* In [[Malayalam]], ''umma'': the sound of a kiss.
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''cmok''
* In [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''splish splash''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''chmok'' (чмок)
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''chuu''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''tsup or mwah''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''muisk''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''umma'' (උම්ම)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''mua'' or ''muac''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''smack''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''muck'' /mudʒ(u)k/
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''mwa'' (מואה).
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''umma''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''smack''
===[[Rooster#Crowing in various languages|Rooster crowing]]===
* In [[Arabic]], ''kuku kukuku''
* In [[Bulgarian language|Bulgarian]], ''kukurigu'' (кукуригу)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''Gu Gu Gu!'' 咕咕咕
* In [[bulgarian language|Carlish]], ''arh-ah-ariihhr''
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''kykirikí''
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''kykkeliky''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''kukeleku''
* In [[French language|French]], ''cocorico''
* In [[English language|English]], ''cock a doodle doo''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''kukkokiekuu'' (''kukko'' - a cock, ''kiekuu'' - crowing)
* In [[German language|German]], ''kikeriki''
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''kikiriku'', ''(κικιρίκου)''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]] ''kukurikú''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''chicchirichi''
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''kokekokko'' (コケコッコー)
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''kakarykū''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''kukuryku''
* In [[Romanian language|Romanian]], ''cucurigu''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''koo-ka-re-koo''
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''kuku kuuk kuu'' (කුක්කු කූක් කූ)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''quiquiriquí'' or ''quiquiriquiquí'' or ''cocoricó''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''kuckeliku''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''ü-ürü-üüü'' /yʔyryʔyː/
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''tiktilaok''
* In [[Tamil Language|Tamil]], ''kokkara-ko-ko''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''kúku ríku'' (קוקוריקו)
* In [[Telugu language|Telugu]], ''kokkaro-ko''
* In Hindi kukadu-ku
===[[sneeze|Sneezing]]===
* In [[Arabic]], ''atchu''
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]], হাচি ''hachi'' (noun)
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''hāt-chī'' (乞嗤) (also means "begs scoffs")
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''ah-qiu!'' (啊嚏)
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''hepčík'' /hap cheek/
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''Atju!''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''Hatsjoe!''
* In [[English language|English]], ''Achoo!''
* In [[Estonian language|Estonian]], ''Atsihh!''
* In [[Finnish language|Finnish]], ''Atshii!'', ''Atshiu!'', ''Ätshii!''
* In [[French language|French]], ''Atchoum''
* In [[German language|German]], ''Hatschi!''
* In [[Greek language|Greek]], ''apsiou!'', ''αψιου!''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], ''Hapci!''
* In [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], ''Atsjú!''
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''etciuu''
* in [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''hakushon!'' ({{lang|ja|はくしょん!}})
* In [[Korean language|Korean]], ''etchi'' ({{lang|ko|에치}})
* In [[Lithuanian language|Lithuanian]], ''apčiū''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''apsik!''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''Aptschee!'' (Апчхи)
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''Hachis'' (හචිස්)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''¡Achu!'' more frequent is ''¡Achís!''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''atjoo!''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], '' hapşu''
* In [[Filipino language|Filipino]], ''Atsing!''
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''apchi!'' (!אפצ'י).
===Stuttering===
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: থৎমৎ ''thôtmôt'', তৎলানো ''tôtlano'' (verb)
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''gimgoom'' (גמגום).
* In [[Sinhalese language|Sinhalese]], ''bak bak'' (බැක් බැක්)
===Tooth brushing===
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], brushing - ''shua'' (唰)
* In [[Korean language|Korean ]], ''chi-ka chi-ka''
* In [[English language|English]], brushing- "brusha brusha"
===Water dripping===
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: টুপ টুপ ''ṭup ṭup''
* In [[Standard Cantonese|Chinese, Cantonese]], ''dihk-dihk'' (滴滴)
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]], ''di-da'' (滴答) (which can also mean "the drop answers")
* In [[Czech language|Czech]], ''kap'' /cup/
* In [[Danish language|Danish]], ''dryp dryp'' (''dryppe'' is the Danish verbal equivalent), ''plop plop''
* In [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''drup drup''
* In [[English language|English]], ''drip drop''
* In [[Finnish Language|Finnish]], ''tip tip''
* In [[French Language|French]], ''plic plic/ploc''
* In [[Greek Language|Greek]], ''plits plits or splats splats'', ''πλιτς πλιτς or σπλατς σπλατς''
* In [[German Language|German]], ''plitsch'', ''platsch''
* In [[Hungarian language|Hungarian]], ''csöp-csöp'' (''csöpp'' or ''csepp'' is also the Hungarian word for "drop")
* In [[Italian language|Italian]], ''plin plin''
* In [[Polish language|Polish]], ''kap kap''
* In [[Russian language|Russian]], ''kap kap'' (кап-кап)
* In [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''ploc ploc''; ''pluip pluip''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]], ''dripp dropp''
* In [[Turkish language|Turkish]], ''dıp dıp''
* In [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''sottu-sottu''
* In [[Traditional Chinese language|Traditional Chinese]], 滴滴 (which means "drop drop")
* In [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''plup'' (פלופ), ''tif taf'' (טיף טף).
* In [[Telugu language|Teulgu]], ''tup tup''
===Wind blowing===
* In [[Bengali language|Bengali]]: ভোঁ ''bhõ'', শন শন ''shôn shôn'', ঝির ঝির ''jhir jhir''
* In [[Standard Mandarin|Chinese, Mandarin]]: ''shiao-shiao'' (萧萧), Slightly strong wind - ''hu-hu'' (呼呼), Rapid/chilly wind - ''sou-sou'' (嗖嗖) (萧 means "dreary", 呼 means "shout (verb)")
* In [[Czech language|Czech]]: ''fíííí'' /fee/
* In [[Japanese language|Japanese]]: ''byuu byuu'', ''pyuu pyuu'', ''zawa zawa'', ''soyo soyo''
* In [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]]: ''vi vu'': the sound of a gentle breeze, and ''vù vù'': the sound of a strong wind.
* In [[English language|English]]: ''Swish''
* In [[German language|German]]: ''Huiiih''
* In [[Swedish language|Swedish]]: ''Svish''
===Reasons for variations===
Sometimes onomatopoeic words can seem to have a tenuous relationship with the object they describe. Native speakers of a given language may never question the relationship, but because words for the same basic sound can differ considerably between languages, non-native speakers might be confused by the idiomatic words of another language. For example, the {{Audio|sound-of-dog.ogg|sound a dog makes}} is ''bow-wow'' (or ''woof-woof'') in [[English language|English]], ''wau-wau'' in [[German language|German]], ''uau-uau'' in [[Interlingua]], ''ouaf-ouaf'' in [[French language|French]], ''gaf-gaf'' in [[Russian language|Russian]], ''hav-hav'' in [[Hebrew language|Hebrew]], ''wan-wan'' or ''bau-bau'' in [[Japanese language|Japanese]], ''ão-ão'' in [[Portuguese language|Portuguese]], ''au-au'' in [[Brazilian Portuguese language|Brazilian Portuguese]], ''guau-guau'' in [[Spanish language|Spanish]], ''bau-bau'' in [[Italian language|Italian]], ''vov-vov'' in [[Danish language|Danish]], ''woef woef'' [as English woof] or ''waf waf'' in [[Dutch language|Dutch]], ''wōu-wōu'' in [[Standard Cantonese|Cantonese]], ''voff-voff'' in [[Icelandic language|Icelandic]], ''hau-hau'' in [[Finnish language|Finnish]] and [[Polish language|Polish]], ''haf-haf'' in [[Czech language|Czech]], ''hav-hav'' (pronounced like English how-how) in [[Slovak language|Slovak]], ''guk guk'' in [[Indonesian language|Indonesian]], ''bub bub'' in [[Catalan Language|Catalan]], ''ghav-ghav'' in [[Modern Greek]], ''wou wou'' in [[Teso]], ''gâu gâu'' in [[Vietnamese language|Vietnamese]], ''vaL vaL'' in [[Tamil language|Tamil]], ''wāng-wāng'' in [[Standard Mandarin|Mandarin]], ''meong meong'' in [[Korean language|Korean]], and ''hong hong'' in [[Thai language|Thai]].
In the case of a [[frog]] croaking, the spelling can vary because different frog species around the world make different sounds: [[Ancient Greek]] ''brekekekex koax koax'' for probably ''[[Rana ridibunda]]''; English ''[[ribbit]]'' for species of frog found in North America; English verb "[[wiktionary:croak|croak]]" for ''[[Rana temporaria]]''.
==Uses of onomatopoeia==
Some other very common English-language examples include ''hiccup'', ''bang'', ''beep'', and ''splash''. [[Machine]]s and their sounds are also often described with onomatopoeia, as in ''honk'' or ''beep-beep'' for the horn of an automobile, and ''vroom'' or ''brum'' for the engine. In science fiction the sounds made by laser weapons are often described as "zaps". For [[animal]] sounds, words like ''quack'' ([[duck]]), ''bark'' ([[dog]]), ''roar'' ([[lion]]) and ''meow'' ([[cat]]) are typically used in English. Some of these words are used both as nouns and as verbs.
[[Agglutinative language]]s or synthetic languages flexibly integrate onomatopoeic words into their structure. This may evolve into a new word, up to the point that it is no longer recognized as onomatopoeia. One example is English "[[bleat]]" for the sheep noise: in [[medieval]] times it was pronounced approximately as "blairt" (but without an R-component), or "blet" with the vowel drawled, which is much more accurate as onomatopoeia than the modern pronunciation.
An example of the opposite case is "[[cuckoo]]", which, due to continuous familiarity with the bird noise down the centuries, has kept approximately the same pronunciation as in [[Old English language|Anglo-Saxon]] times and has not changed to having its vowels as in "furrow".
[[Verbum dicendi]] is a method of integrating onomatopoeia and [[ideophone]]s into grammar.
Occasionally, words for things are created from representations of the sounds these objects make. In English, for example, there is the universal fastener which is named for the onomatopoeic of the sound it makes: the [[zipper|zip]] (in the UK) or [[zipper]] (in the U.S.). Many [[bird]]s are named from the onomatopoetic link with the calls they make, such as the [[Bobwhite quail]], the [[killdeer]], [[titmouse|chickadee]], the [[common cuckoo|cuckoo]], the [[chiffchaff]], the [[whooping crane]] and the [[whip-poor-will]]. In Tamil and Malayalam, the word for [[crow]] is ''kaakaa''. This practice is especially common in certain languages such as [[Māori language|Māori]] and, therefore, in names of animals borrowed from these languages.
[[Advertising]] uses onomatopoeia as a [[mnemonic]], so consumers will remember their products, as in [[Rice Krispies]] (US and UK) and [[Rice Bubbles]] (AU) which make a "snap, crackle, pop" when one pours on milk; or in road safety advertisements: "clunk click, every trip" (click the seatbelt on after clunking the car door closed; UK campaign) or "click, clack, front and back" (click, clack of connecting the seatbelts; AU campaign) or "click it or ticket" (click of the connecting seatbelt; US DOT campaign).
===Manner imitation===
{{main|Ideophone}}
In many of the world's languages, onomatopoeia-like words are used to describe phenomena apart from the purely auditive. [[Japanese language|Japanese]] often utilizes such words to describe feelings or figurative expressions about objects or concepts. For instance, Japanese ''barabara'' is used to reflect an object's state of disarray or separation, and ''shiiin'' is the onomatopoetic form of absolute silence (used at the time an English speaker might expect to hear the sound of [[crickets]] chirping or a pin dropping in a silent room). It is used in [[English language|English]] as well with terms like ''bling'', which describes the shine on things like gold, chrome or precious stones.
* {{audio|en-us-onomatopoeia.ogg|Audio (US)}}
==Onomatopoeia in pop culture==
{{cleanup-section|date=March 2008}}
[[Image:Roy Lichtenstein Whaam.jpg|thumb|300px|right|''Whaam!'' (1963) by [[Roy Lichtenstein]].]]
* Whaam! (1963) by [[Roy Lichtenstein]] is an early example of pop art, featuring fighter aircraft being struck by rockets with dazzling red and yellow explosions.
*[[Marvel Comics]] have trademarked two words of their own invention: ''thwip!'' , the sound of [[Spider-Man]]'s web shooter, and ''snikt!'' the switchblade-sound of [[Wolverine (comics)|Wolverine]]'s claws locking into place (which was replaced with the lesser-known ''schlikt'' during the period he was left without the adamantium covering on his bones). Marvel also uses the sound effect "[[bamf]]" to signify [[Nightcrawler (comics)|Nightcrawler]]'s teleportation.
* In [[Doctor Who]] comic strips, the sound of the [[Tardis]] is represented as ''vworp! vworp!''
* In the [[Garfield]] comic strip and television series, there is a running gag about a "splut," which is usually the sound of a pie hitting someone in the face.
**For example, Garfield once kicked Odie, but instead of 'kick' it said 'blagoonga', with Garfield remarking to Jon that Odie needs to be tuned
* In the 1960s TV series “[[Batman (TV series)|Batman]]”, comic book style onomatopoeias such as ''wham!'', ''pow!'' and ''crunch'' appear onscreen during fight scenes. This is often the subject of parody, for example in the ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' episode "[[Radioactive Man (The Simpsons episode)|Radioactive Man]]" where the onomatopoeic words are replaced with ''snuh!, ''newt! and ''mint!'' which are references to other Simpsons episodes.
* [[Ubisoft]]'s [[XIII (video game)|XIII]] employed the use of comic book onomatopoeias such as ''bam!'', ''boom'' and ''noooo!'' during gameplay for gunshots, explosions and kills, respectively. The comic-book style is apparent throughout the game and is a core theme, as the game is an adaptation of [[XIII (comic book)|a comic book of the same name]].
* The onomatopoeia that is said to be heard at a typical [[Disco Biscuits]] (a popular jamband) show is ''untz.'' This description seems to have originated from an interview with [[Bob Dylan]], who said "I kept hearing this,'' untz..untz..untz..untz..''(sound in the background of all the music)...fun time, though... lots of young kids with dilated pupils."
*In [[Jonathan Swift|Jonathan Swift's]] novel [[Gulliver's Travels]], the name of the Houyhnhnm's is an onomatopoeia for the whinny of a horse.
*Todd Rundgren wrote a humorous song "Onomatopoeia" which uses many examples in this "Love Song". Examples in the song start out reasonable and start to get more ludicrous as the song goes on.
*The comic strip [[For Better or For Worse]] is notorious for using non-onomatopoeic verbs as onomatopoeias, such as "Scrape," to indicate a person shaving, or "Tie," to illustrate someone tying a string around a package.
*A well-known rhetorical question is "Why doesn't onomatopoeia sound like what it is?". Ian M. Banks references this in his novel Use Of Weapons, when a character claims that the word onomatopoeia is spelled "just the way it sounds!".
*Brian Preston, a popular [[Quizzo]] night host in [[Philadelphia]] used words like ''crash'', ''boom'', and [[fart|''fart'']] to describe onomatopoeia. Unfortunately, [[fart|''fart'']] is a non-onomatopoeia (although its [[Proto-Indo-European language]] ancestor ''perd-'' (compare Greek περδομαι and [[Avestic]] ''prd'') is more realistic).
*"Kerplunk" was used in the video game [[Final Fantasy VIII]] as the name of one of the [[Guardian Force]] [[Cactuar]]'s attacks. For the Guardian Force [[Tonberry]], the humorously out of place onomatopoeia of ''doink!'' is written on-screen during its powerful knife stab attack.
*In the video game [[Brave Story: New Traveler]], an onomatopoeia appears wherever an attack hits its target.
*The fictional [[Vorpal]] blade from the poem "[[Jabberwocky]]" by [[Lewis Carrol]] goes "snicker-snack" when used.
*The [[January 8]], [[2008]] comic of Ozy and Millie featured a panel in which Millie repeats the word "Splorsh" and Ozy quips "I've noticed you find '''Onomatopoeia''' extremely distracting."
*"Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss Uhn Tiss", recorded by The Bloodhound Gang in 2005 for their "Hefty Fine" album simulated the driving beat of most popular House and Rave music styles.
*In one [[Captain America]] comic, the accidental use of the word "wank" as an onomatopoeia was found hilarious by many teenagers.
*The marble game [[KerPlunk (game)|KerPlunk]] is an onomatopoeia for the sound of the [[marbles]] dropping when one too many sticks has been removed.
*Another popular onomatopoeia is "Om nom nom", which is used to describe the process of eating, or indicate one is hungry. This has recently become apparent on much internet media such as lolcatz.
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==See also==
*[[Sound symbolism]]
*[[Animal sounds]]
*[[Vocal learning]]
*[[Japanese sound symbolism|Giongo]]
==References==
*[[David Crystal|Crystal, David]] (1997) ''The Cambridge Encyclopedia of Language, Second Edition'' ISBN 0-521-55967-7
* {{cite book | last = Smyth | first = Herbert Weir | year = 1920 | title = Greek Grammar | publisher = Harvard University Press | location = Cambridge MA | id = ISBN 0-674-36250-0 | pages = p. 680}}
==External links==
*[http://www.eleceng.adelaide.edu.au/Personal/dabbott/animal.html Derek Abbott's Animal Noise Page]
*[http://www.eeight.com/cartoon-tutorials/drawing-onomatopoeia/ Tutorial on Drawing Onomatopoeia for Comics and Cartoons (using fonts)]
*[http://learn-poetry.com/sound.php Article on using onomatopeia and sound to enchance writing and poetry].
*[http://www.writtensound.com WrittenSound, onomatopoeic word list]
[[Category:Linguistics]]
[[Category:Types of words]]
[[Category:Onomatopoeia|*]]
[[Category:Literary devices playing with sound]]
[[Category:Style (fiction)]]
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