In Japan, it is getting colder. In this morning, it is 18.4 degree.
I feel so cold.
On this column, I will write about how Japanese people express the
sound of animal's ''Nakigoe''.
Nakigoe means
Naki = bark(dog), meow(cat), croak(crow)...
goe = voice
In Japanese, we have only one word to express dog's bark, cat's meow, crow's croak... and so on.
So it is difficult to translate.
Maybe you can guess what I want to write about.
When I was kid, I used to think people all over the world express in the same way.
Because I used to think everybody must hear the same sound in the same way.
But it was not true. Each culture has each expression.
I remember I got so surprised to know that.
Dog = Wan Wan !! (I have heard people say ''Bow wow'' in America.)
Cat = Nya ~~ Nya ~~
Cow = Mo~~ Mo~~
Sheep = Me~~ Me~~~
Pig = Buuuu Buuuu
Lion = Gaooo
Frog = Kero Kero
Crow = Kaaaa
Mouse = Chuu Chuu
Horse = Hi Hiiin
Chicken = Kokekokko~!
Chicken is kind of difficult. ^ ^
I think there are many expression in the world about chicken.
By the way, how about an ambulance?
We say ''Pii Poo Pii Poo~~''
If I have chance, I want to know how people in the world express the Nakigoe.
Thanks for reading. Please give me any advices.
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Hello!
ReplyDeleteHere are the french "Nakigoe" :
Dog : ouaf ouaf
Cat : miaou
Cow : Meuh
Sheep bêêêê
Pig : well... hard to write it! maybe "groin groin"
Lion : I don't know either, there's no word! :)
Frog : croa croa
Crow : croak croak
Mouse : tit (not sure)
Horse : Hiiii (the same!!!)
Chicken : cocoricooo!
And the ambulance? Pin pon
It's funny to see how it can be different!
18°C? In Germany we have about 8°C in the morning... For us 18°C is like spring.. hahaha
ReplyDeleteGerman's "Nakigoe" are:
Dog : Wau Wau
Cat : Miau Miau
Cow : Muh Muh
Sheep: Mäh Mäh
Pig : Oink Oink
Lion : roaaar (? lol)
Frog : Quak Quak
Crow : Krah Krah
Mouse : Quiek Quiek
Horse : Wihaha (or something like this...)
Chicken : Gack Gack (not GackT!! lol)
Ambulance is difficult: Tatütata :D
Btw I still think like "We all should hear the same sounds, why is it so difficult??" haha
It's so funny.
ReplyDeleteI like the difference of
ambulance.
Hello! Your blog is really interesting! I have learned many useful things about Japanese culture. Thank you very much for writing it!
ReplyDeleteHere are the "nakigoe" from Finland!
Gog: Hau Hau
Cat: Miau
Cow: Ammuuu / Muu muu!
Sheep: Bäää / Mää
Pig: Röh röh
Crow: Kraak kraak
Mouse: piip piip
Horse: Iihahahaa
Chichken: Kot kot / rooster: Kukkokiekuu!
Ambulance: Pii-paa!
Thank you for leaving your comment.
ReplyDeleteIt is very interesting to know
the difference between cultures.^^