Translation and Meaning of: どきどき - dokidoki

If you have ever watched a Japanese anime or drama, you have probably heard the word どきどき (dokidoki). This onomatopoeic expression is one of the most commonly used in everyday life in Japan and has a meaning that goes beyond a simple translation. In this article, we will explore what どきどき really means, how it is used in the Japanese language, and why it is so prevalent in pop culture.

In addition to being a common word in conversations, どきどき also frequently appears in songs, mangas, and even in product names. Its use ranges from describing emotions to creating atmospheres in narratives. Let's understand better how this expression works and how you can apply it in your Japanese learning.

The meaning and use of どきどき

Doki-doki is a word that describes the sound of a heart beating fast, usually due to emotions like nervousness, excitement, or even fear. In English, we could translate it as "racing heart" or "intense heartbeat." However, its use in Japanese is broader and can appear in various contexts.

A classic example is when someone is about to confess their feelings: at that moment, the person may say "胸がどきどきする" (mune ga dokidoki suru), which means "my heart is racing." This expression is also used in suspenseful situations, such as in horror movies or action scenes, where the rapid heartbeat reflects the tension of the moment.

The origin and writing of どきどき

どきどき is a purely Japanese onomatopoeia, meaning it has no direct relation to kanji. It is typically written in hiragana, but can also appear in katakana (ドキドキ) for emphasis or in more informal contexts. The repetition of the syllable "doki" reinforces the idea of a continuous sound, like a heartbeat.

Although it is not common, sometimes どきどき is associated with the kanji 時 (toki, "time"), but this is more of a visual pun than a real etymological relationship. The correct way to write it is indeed in hiragana or katakana, without the need for kanji. This simplicity makes it an easy word to recognize and memorize for students of Japanese.

Cultural use and presence in the media

In Japan, どきどき is not limited to just verbal descriptions. It appears in the names of TV shows, songs, and even in advertising campaigns. A famous example is the game "Doki Doki Literature Club!", which uses the word to create an atmosphere of suspense and excitement. This constant presence in the media shows how the expression is rooted in Japanese culture.

Furthermore, どきどき is often used in mangas and animes to convey the characters' emotions without the need for lengthy explanations. A romantic scene, for example, can show the character's heart beating with the sound "doki doki" in the background, saving dialogues and making the scene more impactful. This linguistic efficiency is one of the reasons why onomatopoeias are so valued in Japanese.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• 緊張 (Kinchou) - Tension, nervousness, state of anxiety or restlessness.
• ドキドキする (Dokidoki suru) - Palpitations, the feeling of accelerated heartbeats, often related to excitement or anxiety.
• 胸が高鳴る (Mune ga takanaru) - Feeling of a racing heart, usually associated with intense emotions such as love or joy.

どきどき

Romaji: dokidoki
Kana: どきどき
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: guess; Beat (fast)

Meaning in English: throb;beat (fast)

Definition: A onomatopoeic word that expresses how the heart speeds up.

Example Sentences - (どきどき) dokidoki

See below some example sentences:

私は彼女に会うときはいつもどきどきしています。

Watashi wa kanojo ni au toki wa itsumo dokidoki shiteimasu

I always get anxious when I find her.

I always throb when I know it.

• 私 (watashi) - signifies "I" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• 彼女 (kanojo) - It means "she" or "girlfriend" in Japanese.
• に (ni) - destination particle in Japanese
• 会う (au) - verb that means "to find" or "to meet" in Japanese.
• とき (toki) - noun that means "time" or "moment" in Japanese
• は (wa) - Japanese topic particle
• いつも (itsumo) - adverb that means "always" in Japanese
• どきどき (dokidoki) - onomatopoeia that represents the sound of a heart beating fast, used to express nervousness or anxiety in Japanese
• しています (shiteimasu) - present form of the verb "suru" which means "to do" in Japanese