Translation and Meaning of: ぴかぴか - pikapika

The word 「ぴかぴか」 (pikapika) is a Japanese onomatopoeia frequently used to describe something that is shining or gleaming vividly. In Japan, onomatopoeias are quite popular and are fundamental for describing sounds, sensations, and even states of mind. 「ぴかぴか」 evokes the idea of something that shines intensely, like a radiant sun, a freshly polished car, or a polished metal.

The etymology of the term 「ぴかぴか」 is quite interesting, as it captures the essence of a shine or radiance through sound repetition, which intensifies the meaning. In Japanese, it's common for the repetition of sounds in onomatopoeias to emphasize and expand the basic concept they convey. 「ぴか」 by itself already suggests a flash or a small shine, while the repetition to 「ぴかぴか」 intensifies this idea, reinforcing the notion of a continuous shine or a dazzling return of light.

In addition, 「ぴかぴか」 is one of the many existing reduplicative onomatopoeias in the Japanese language, similar to others like 「きらきら」 (kirakira), which denotes a more delicate shine, like twinkling stars. This category of words not only describes sights but can also convey tactile sensations, consistencies, and even emotions. Historically, the use of such onomatopoeias can be traced through Japanese literature, where they have played a crucial role in creating vivid imagery and delivering emotional nuances.

In everyday life, the expression 「ぴかぴか」 can be heard in various contexts. For example, it can be used to praise the cleanliness of a space, like a room that has just been cleaned, or to describe the fresh appearance of an object, such as a new shoe. The flexibility and visual appeal of the term make it widely used in advertising and visual communication, often attracting attention through images of shine and purity.

Vocabulary

Expand your vocabulary with related words:

Synonyms and similar words

• キラキラ (Kirakira) - Brilliant, shimmering; used to describe something that shines or sparkles visibly.
• 輝輝 (Kikiki) - Intense shine; it implies a strong and radiant glow.
• 光々 (Kōkō) - Luminous glow; refers to a continuous and soft light.
• 煌煌 (Kōkō) - Brilliant glow; suggests an impressive and exuberant shine.

ぴかぴか

Romaji: pikapika
Kana: ぴかぴか
Type: noun
L: jlpt-n2

Translation / Meaning: shine; sparkle

Meaning in English: glitter;sparkle

Definition: A word that describes the shiny surface of something.

Example Sentences - (ぴかぴか) pikapika

See below some example sentences:

クリーニングに出した服がピカピカになった。

Kurīningu ni dashita fuku ga pikapika ni natta

The clothes I put for cleaning became bright.

• クリーニング (kurīningu) - dry cleaning
• に (ni) - Particle indicating the target of the action
• 出した (dashita) - past tense of the verb "to put out"
• 服 (fuku) - clothes
• が (ga) - particle that indicates the subject of the sentence
• ピカピカ (pikapika) - brilliant, shining
• に (ni) - particle that indicates the resulting state of the action
• なった (natta) - past tense of the verb "to become"

ぴかぴか輝く星空が美しいです。

Pikapika kagayaku hoshizora ga utsukushii desu

The bright starry sky is beautiful.

• ぴかぴか - shiny, sparkling
• 輝く - shine, glitter
• 星空 - Starlit sky
• 美しい - pretty, beautiful
• です - Verb "to be" in the present tense