list of sfx:s

Table of Contents

SFX

sa:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
saサッさっ(1) *hiss* *rain* *water running*;
(2) *quick*;
(3) *rustle* *wind*;
(4) *step*;
(5) *stands up quickly*;
(6) *kick* *hit*;
(7) *hides quickly* *hides* *hide* *cover*		(1) Softer sound than *zaa*, which can also be rain;
(2) Quick motion;
(3) Rustling, windy;
(6) Done in a fast motion.
sa saササささ*quick*Quick motion.
sa saサッサッさっさっ*brush* *stroke* *swish* *sketch* *fwsh*Light, quick, brushing motion. Like writing with pencil on paper.
sa-サーさー(1) *rain* *hss*;
(2) *rustling* *wind*		(1) Hissing, rain, water running (softer sound than *zaa*, which can also be rain).
sa-サーさー(1) *going pale*;
(2) *fsshhh*		(1) Sound of someone's blood drawing, one going pale;
(2) A light flow of water.
sa-サーッさーっ*chill* *gloom*SFX for a worried, stressful atmosphere (can be incorporated as humor).
saaサァァさぁぁ*fwsssshh*
*rainfall*
*shaaa*		Light rain, or rain suddenly starting to fall.


See also *zaa* and *sa-*.
sakuサクさく(1) *step*;
(2) *munch* *bite*;
(3) *pierce*;
(4) *pierce* *cut*		(3) SFX for puncturing through a crusty object;
(4) SFX for emotional or dramatic effect, such as when a cutting remark is made
saku sakuサクサクさくさく(1) *thud thud*;
(2) *crunch crunch*;
(3) *cut*		(1) SFX of soft footsteps on grass;
(2) SFX for quietly eating something lightly crunchy, like biscuits;
(3) Cutting a thin and light object. See also *zaku zaku*.
sappariサッパリさっぱり*refreshed*
*refreshing*
*neat*
*clean*
saraサラッさらっ*swish* *fwish*SFX for swishing hair.
saraサラさら(1) *ruffle* *rustle*;
(2) *touch*		(1) To brush against something soft, usually cloth-like or somewhat elastic material;
(2) Almost a caress, done gently
sara saraサラサラさらさら(1) *silky* *smooth*;
(2) *light*;
(3) *dry*;
(4) *squeaky clean*;
(5) *murmur*;
(6) *rustle*;
(7) *flow* *flows smoothly*		(1) SFX which expresses silkiness. smoothly flowing, ex. hair. See also *zara zara*;
(5) Ex: murmuring brook or river or flowing water; See also *gasa gasa*;
(6) Ex: rustle of hair, falling powder-like material; See also *gasa gasa*;
(7) Like water or a liquid.
sasaササッささっ(1) *rustle*;
(2) *slash* *slice*;
(3) *scoot* *back up* *retreat*		(2) Like the vicious, fast movement of a sword cutting through something;
(3) To move back or retreat in the face of danger or intimidation
sasanササンささん*slash slash* *slice slice* *shyaa*Like the vicious, fast movement of a sword cutting through something.
sasasaサササさささ*slide* *show* *pass* *sneak* *dash*
*scuttle away*		Quick, hasty movement, sometimes to express secretive nature of action.
sassaサッサさっさ*style* *brush*
sassatoサッサトさっさと*quickly*Usually used in a condescending or patronizing tone:
Ex: "Hurry up and finish your homework!"
Ex: "Go on now!"
sasu sasuサスサスさすさす(1) *shake shake*;
(2) *rub rub*		(1) Like when waking someone up.
sattoサットさっと(1) *quickly*;
(2) *roughly*
*skim*		(1) In terms of speed;
(2) To quickly go through something, Ex: skim through the newspaper without going through all the details.
sawaサワさわ*fresh* *refreshing* *clear* *fluent* *eloquent* *invigorating*
sawa sawaサワサワさわさわ*feel feel*SFX for when people touch others; usually H-related.
sha:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
shaシャッしゃっ*slice* *slash* *shaa* *whoosh*SFX for something slicing the air.
sha-シャーしゃー(1) *pouring water*;
(2) *whoosh* *shaa*;
(3) *splash*;
(4) *slice* *slash* *whoosh*		(1) SFX for pouring water, like shower; Lighter than ジャー (Jya-);
(2) Something slicing the air;
(4) Something slicing the air
shaa shaaシャアシャアしゃあしゃあ*shamelessly* *carefree*
shaanシャァンしゃぁん*shatter* *crash* *ka-sha* *crack*SFX for something fragile shattering into a million pieces.
Ex: A mirror or glass vase crashing and shattering.
shakaシャカしゃか*cocks* *clack*Sound of cocking a gun, a clacking noise.
shaka shakaシャカシャカしゃかしゃか(1) *shake shake*;
(2) *scrape*;
(3) *whisk whisk* *whip whip*		(1) Usually when you're shaking something in your hand. Usually used when making cocktails;
(3) Like when whisking eggs into cream.
shakiシャキしゃき*sharp* *glitter*Something sharp and glittering, like a knife or a pair of scissors.
shakii-nシャキィーンしゃきぃーん*sharp* *glitter*SFX for something sharp.
shakki-nシャッキーンしゃっきーん*sharp* *glitter*Something sharp and glittering, like a knife or a pair of scissors.
See also *Shaki* (less powerful).
shaku shakuシャクシャクしゃくしゃく*snip snip*
*cut cut*		SFX for the sound of cutting, such as cutting hair with a pair of scissors.
shan shanシャンシャンしゃんしゃん*tinkle* *ringing* *shing*SFX for lots of tiny bells ringing.
shanari shanariシャナリシャナリしゃなりしゃなり*shimmer shimmer*
*glitter glitter*		SFX for something glittery and ephemeral, such as the sound of someone beautiful entering the room.
sharaシャラしゃら*rustle* *swish*SFX for the movement of clothing or cloth-like material.
sharanシャランしゃらん*rattle* *slide*SFX for a light rattling sound, like when pushing open curtains.
shariシャリしゃり*scrape* *scritch*SFX for touching something with a rough texture.
shari shariシャリシャリしゃりしゃり(1) *scrape scrape* *wish wosh*;
(2) *luxurious*		(1) SFX for touching something with a rough texture.
Like the sound of red beans or rice rubbing against each other when you stir it. Ex. Kousetsu 100 Monogatari ep 1.
shi:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
shiシし*touch* *caress*To touch someone gently.
shiシッしっ(1) *swish*;
(2) *poke*		(2) I.e. poking someone with your toe.
shi-シーッしーっssshhBe quiet.
shi- shi-シッシッしっしっ*shoo shoo*
shi---nシーーーンしーーーん*silence*
shi-nシーンしーん*stare* *silence* *frozen*The sound of staring, silence, or of remaining frozen/motionless.
shiba shibaシバシバしばしば*often* *frequently*
shibu shibuシブシブしぶしぶ*reluctantly* *so reluctant* *yeah yeah*
shikkariシッカリしっかり(1) *tightly*
*firmly*
*strongly*
(2) *properly*
*pull it together*
*get it right*		(1) Ex: pulling the shutters closed and locking them firmly;
(2) Commonly used as a short version of 「しっかりしろ！」or "shikkari-shiro!" or "pull yourself together!" by leaving out the second half of the expression.
shikkuriシックリしっくり*carefully*
*thoroughly*
*slowly*		To do something with care.


Often used in Japanese expression:
「しっくりしろよ！」or "Pull it together, man!"
shiku shikuシクシクしくしく*sob sob*
*boo hoo hoo*		SFX for sobbing.
shinシンしん(1) *silence*;
(2) *shocked silence* *shock*
shinmiriシンミリしんみり*talking quietly*
*whisper*
*quietly*
*mumble*		To talk quietly and intimately.
shipipiシピピしぴぴ*fwshh*
*sprinkle*
*splashing*		Small splashes of water.


See also *pi*.
shireシレしれ(1) *shrug* *look away*;
(2) *so what* *what's it to you*		(1) When the blame has been placed on him/her, usually because you knew the hidden agenda behind the plot;
(2) In a show of indifference, bordering on rudeness.
shitaシタッしたっ*ready*
*ready to go*
*all set!*		SFX for being prepared for something, usually used to support comedic relief scenes.
shito shitoシトシトしとしと(1) *moisty* *humid*;
(2) *raining*;
(3) *snowing*;
(4) *plop plop*		Usually to describe weather as opposed to objects, cannot really be used to describe objects; More commonly used to describe state of a general atmosphere.


(2) Raining or snowing quietly;
(3) Raining or snowing quietly.
(4) SFX for gentle raindrops falling down
shittoriシットリしっとり(1) *moist* *wet*;
(2) *calm* *soothing*		(1) A slightly moist state, usually to describe objects as opposed to weather; Can be used for weather sometimes.
shiwa shiwaシワシワしわしわ*creased*
*very wrinkled*
*wrinkle wrinkle*		SFX for human wrinkles or wrinkles on inanimate objects.
shizuシズしず*move solemnly*
sho:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
shoboショボしょぼ*shrug*When upset, as シュン (Shun).
shobo shoboショボショボしょぼしょぼ*sad* *mope*
shonboriションボリしょんぼり*hopeless*
*dejected*
*discouraged*
*slumps*
*gloom*
shu:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
shuシュッしゅっ(1) *woosh*;
(2) *rub* *swish*;
(3) *block*;
(4) *toss* *whoosh*		(1) Quick movement;
(2) Fabric rubbing, swishing;
(3) SFX for when fighting, blocking many hits/kicks in one go;
(4) SFX for a casual throwing movement.
shuシュしゅ*whoosh*SFX for a swift, fast motion.
shu-シューッしゅーっ(1) *spray*;
(2) *fizzle*;
(3) *twee* *whistle*		(2) Like the sound of fireworks fizzling, or everlasting birthday candles fizzling;
(3) SFX for the kettle whistling.
shu-シューしゅー(1) *fog* *mist* *steam*;
(2) *sizzle* *fsshh*
shuboシュボしゅぼ*click*Ignition of flame, usually a lighter.
shunシュンしゅん*down* *shrug* *upset*In the sense that you are feeling down or upset; usually when something says something mean to you or talks you down.
shunシュンッしゅんっ*shoom* *fwoomp* *down* *rock bottom*SFX for something hitting "rock bottom" - like a happy meter suddenly falling to zero almost as a comedic effect. Usually used to express emotion.
shuppoシュッポしゅっぽ*choo choo*The sound of a train.
shuruシュルッしゅるっ*fwish* *shhh* *loosen*I.e. SFX for when loosening one's tie.
shuruシュルしゅる*snake*Snaking motion. Often used for Rose Whip or other vines or tendrils snaking around.
shuru shuruシュルシュルしゅるしゅる(1) *undo* *undone*;
(2) *shrink*;
(3) *whip* *throw*		(1) SFX for something being undone; usually an obi (Japanese belt for the kimono), ribbons, bandages;
(2) SFX for something shrinking in size;
(3) SFX of something being thrown, usually something whip-like.
shurunシュルンしゅるん*snake*Snaking motion. Often used for Rose Whip or other vines or tendrils snaking around.
shururuシュルルしゅるる*snake*Snaking motion. Often used for Rose Whip or other vines or tendrils snaking around.
shuta shutaシュタシュタしゅたしゅた*ching ching* *woosh woosh*Usually the SFX for ninjas throwing shurikens or people throwing something similar.
shuuシュウしゅう(1) *fsshhh*;
(2) *hissss*		(1) Sound of anger/fire rising/settling down;
(2) SFX for snakes hissing, ex. Kaidoh in PoT (Prince of Tennis) applies to both of these.
su:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
suスッすっ(1) *pass* *pass by* *ignore* *whoosh*;
(2) *pass*;
(3) *breathe in*;
(4) *rain*;
(5) *slow movement*;
(6) *hand* *crinkle*;
(7) *unravel*;
(8) *sst*;
(9) *lean in* *lean*;
(10) *reach* *pull*;
(11) *step* *steps in*		(1) To walk straight past someone;
(2) To put/pass something along;
(3) Compare to *fu* (breathe out);
(5) Ex. Cloth slowly slipping off, someone moving smoothly;
(6) To hand over a sheet of paper to someone;
(7) Ex. Unraveling a scroll;
(8) Smooth, covert movement;
(9) Smooth, looking-over-someone's-shoulder type covert movement;
(10) To grab something, to hand over something
suスす(1) *lift*;
(2) *reach*;
(3) *slide* *steps in*;
(4) *sst* *glare*;
(5) *inhale* *breath* *fuu*		(3) A smooth, almost covert move;
(4) SFX for a deadly shift in mood, such as suddenly looking at something or someone with deadly force;
(5) SFX for breathing, using the Japanese phrase "to smoke" or 「タバコをすう」
su-スーすー(1) *sigh*;
(2) *slide*		(1) SFX for soft sighing while sleeping;
(2) Like when opening a sliding door, or when someone is opening their eyes.
su-スーッすーっ(1) *breathe in*;
(2) *zzz*;
(3) *ignore*		(2) to be fast asleep;
(3) To walk past someone completely (usually ignoring them) or in a ghostly fashion.
sube subeスベスベすべすべ*smooth* *silky*
subuスブすぶ*eyes close*Eyes (and only eyes) closing.
sugagagaスガガガすががが*menace*Combination of vigorous action and menace; loud drastic things happening.
sugo-iスゴーイすごーい*amaaazzzing* *whoa* *wow* *impressed*Comes from "sugoi" or 「すごい」 which literally translates as "amazing" or "cool." Not technically a SFX, but can be used as one.
suiスイすい*smooth* *shwp* *slip*Smooth movement, like the practiced elegance of a good skater, or a smooth cool move by a charismatic character.
sui suiスイスイすいすい(1) *swimming*;
(2) *skating*;
(3) *easily*		(3) Expression that you are doing something without effort or trouble.
sukaスカすか(1) *miss*;
(2) *refreshed*;
(3) *sleeping*;
(4) *whoosh*		(1) To pass through something, like a missed-catch;
(2) Feeling of refreshment, ex. when you drink a carbonated drink on a hot day; see also *sawa* and *sawayaka*;
(3) See also *gu*, *ku*, and *supigu*;
(4) Whooshy sound, sound of swinging a baseball bat and missing.
suka sukaスカスカすかすか*empty*Sparse.
When you get a big box too light for its size and you shake it, the packing material makes rustling sounds *suka suka*.
When you put on a big pair of jeans, you say "These are suka suka" (too big).
suka-スカーすかー(1) *zzz*;
(2) *refreshed*		(1) To be fast asleep;
(2) To feel refreshed.
sukariスカリすかり*refreshed*Feeling of refreshment, i.e. when you drink a carbonated drink on a hot day. See also *sawa* and *sawayaka*.
sukatoスカトすかと*refreshed*Feeling of refreshment, i.e. when you drink a carbonated drink on a hot day. See also *sawa* and *sawayaka*.
sukkariスッカリすっかり*completely better*
*all better*
*quite nice*		Used in a positive context, but literally translates as "all".
sukkiriスッキリすっきり(1) *clean*
*neat*;
(2) *clean*;
(3) *perfectly fine*
*all better*
*refreshed*		(1) As in clean vs dirty;
(2) As in clean, light, simple design;
(3) Ex: a headache disappears and you feel all better again.
suko-nスコーンすこーん*plonk*
sukonズコンずこん*plunk* *plonk*
sukuスクすく*gets up*
sukuスクッすくっ*gets up*SFX for changing to an upright position.
suku sukuスクスクすくすく*grow*To grow up well.
sunスンすん(1) *coldhearted*
*curt*
*blunt* *cold*;
(2) *calm*
(3) *smooth*
*fwwsh*		(1) To take a coldhearted attitude; to be curt, blunt or cold;
(2) To be concerned inside, while pretending no surface concern;
(3) To carry oneself well, in the manner of a geisha.
sunariスナリすなり*slender* *smooth* *graceful*See also *surari*.
sunnariスンナリすんなり*effortless*For the flow of events to flow without interference. To go smoothly.
supaスパすぱ(1) *cut* *break*;
(1) *slash*		Cutting or breaking something. See also *zuba*.
supa ko-nスパコーンすぱこーん*ker-smack* *hits*SFX for a powerful, exaggerated hitting motion, like smacking someone smartly with a fan.
supa supaスパスパすぱすぱ*easily* *fast and efficient*To do something without effort.
supa-スパーッすぱーっ*dash*SFX for a sudden burst of speed, usually when a character suddenly starts running.
supa-nスパーンすぱーん*slaaaap*Sound of something being slapped, like someone's head being slapped with a slipper or harisen. Ex Sanzo and his harisen in Saiyuki.
supapapaスパパパすぱぱぱ*chop chop chop*At great speed.
supariスパリすぱり*cut* *break*Cutting or breaking something. See also *zuba*.
supiguスピグすぴぐ(1) *sleeping peacefully*;
(2) *whistle*		See also *gu*, *ku*, *suka*, and *suya*.
supoスポすぽ(1) *pop*;
(2) *nice fit*;
(3) *flop*		(1) Sound of tight something being pulled off (or pulled out);
(2) For something to fit on, like a lid to a bottle, similar to スッポン (Suppon).
supoスポッすぽっ*swp* *slip*SFX for someone slipping on their boots or shoes.
suponスポンすぽん*nice fit*Sound of something being put on like a hat, which fits neatly. Usually small objects.
suppa suppaスッパスッパすっぱすっぱ*puff puff*
suppariスッパリすっぱり*clear*
*clear cut*		Clearly, to do something cut and clean.
supponスッポンすっぽん*nice fit*Sound of something fitting something perfectly, literally it is a "soft shelled turtle."
supponponスッポンポンすっぽんぽん*totally naked*
suraスラッすらっ*slim*
*skinny*
*slim figure*
suraスラすら*quickly*SFX for fast action, whether it be movement, speed-reading, etc.
sura suraスラスラすらすら(1) *scribble scribble*;
(2) *fast*
*smooth*;
(3) *fluently*
*smoothly*;
(4) *easily*
*smoothly*		(1) To write something easily;
(2) Fast writing, clean writing;
(3) To speak a language fluently, usually a foreign language;
(4) To answer with great ease.
surariスラリすらり*slender*
suriスリすり(1) *slide* *slip*;
(2) *yank* *pull*		SFX for cloth-like material moving or being moved.
suri suriスリスリすりすり*rub rub*Up against something/someone.
suruスルッするっ(1) *slip*;
(2) *slip away*;
(3) *climb*		(1) In the sense you "slip something on/off," ex. silk robe;
(2) Slip away from someone.
suruスルする*slip* *tug*SFX for pulling something off, or for something falling or sliding off.
suru suruスルスルするする(1) *nimbly*;
(2) *slides smoothly*
*smooth*		(1) Small animals, etc.
sususuスススすすす*sliding*
sutaスタすた(1) *stand up*;
(2) *land*		(1) Stand up swiftly;
(2) As in landing after you've jumped.
suta sutaスタスタすたすた(1) *walk straight pass*
*power walking*
*thud thud thud*
*tap tap tap*;
(2) *waltz by* *waltz in*		(1) To walk straight past someone quickly, tends to have notion that you are ignoring the things you pass; SFX for a crowd walking;
(2) SFX for a dance, formal.
sutatataスタタタすたたた(1) *running* *runs*
*thud thud thud*
*tmp tmp tmp*;
(2) *tmp tmp tmp* *march march*		(1) SFX for running;
(2) SFX for a series of even but fast steps
sute suteステステすてすて*tot tot*Little kid running.
sutenステンすてん*falling*
suteteteステテテすててて*runs fast*A little kid running fast.
sutoストすと*tap* *land*SFX for the light contact of a shoe on a surface.
sutonストンすとん(1) *sit*;
(2) *heavy thud*
sutte-nスッテーンすってーん*trip over* *fall* *tumble*Pretty dramatically.
suttoスットすっと(1) *immediately*
*quickly*
*right away*
*without hesitation*;
(2) *straight down*
*straight*
*without hesitation*		(1) To do something without a second thought, or to do something out of excitement or over-enthusiasm.
Ex: "He quickly stood up and invited the old lady to take his seat";
(2) Ex: "She drank the sake straight down"
suuスウすう(1) *slip* *pass*;
(2) *stands up*		(1) SFX for brushing someone off, physically walking by, or ignoring someone.
suu-uスゥウーッすぅうーっ*slow motion*
*dramatic*
*slowly*
*fwaaahhh*		SFX for a dramatic, slow-motion effect, usually used to emphasize something.
suyaスヤすや*sleeping*See also *gu*, *ku*, and *supigu*.
suya suyaスヤスヤすやすや*zzz* *fast asleep*
*sleeping peacefully*
*snore*		SFX for sleeping or the sound of deep breathing while in sleep.
suzaスザッすざっ*eek* *eep* *gah* *gasp*SFX for a squeal or quick breath from shock or surprise.
se:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
sesseセッセせっせ*quick quick*To do something quickly and efficiently.
sessetoセッセトせっせと*working steadily*
so:
RomajiKatakanaHiraganaEnglishExplanation
soソッそっ(1) *holds out* *hold* *here*;
(2) *reach*		(1) To present something to someone else;
(2) SFX for extending one's hand to touch something or someone.
so-ソーそー(1) *sneaky* *tip toe*;
(2) *slide* *whoosh*
sokkuriソックリそっくり*the same*
*alike*
*similar*
*exactly alike*		Ex: "That sounds just like my mom"
Ex: "Exactly like a thief"
Ex: "This bag looks exactly like my old one"
soro soroソロソロそろそろ(1) *soon*
*it's time*
*time to go*;
(2) *slowly*		(1) Usually used when announcing that it's time to do something, or "it's about time to ___".
Often used in everyday speech: 「そろそろ時間だ」.
(2) To perform an action with care and/or patience.
Ex: To walk slowly because one foot is in a cast.
sorori sororiソロリソロリそろりそろり*tip toe tip toe*
*sneak sneak*		SFX for sneaking away or sneaking by very carefully.
soryaソリャそりゃ(1) *grunt*;
(2) *yell*		(1) Same with オリャ (Oriya), a grunt type SFX before performing physical tasks;
(2) What to yell as you attack, a fighting taunt or war cry; see also *dorya*, *ora*, *orya*, and *uraa*.
sosokusaソソクサそそくさ*sneak away*To leave the scene quickly, usually to avoid conflict or further troubles, or because of the intensity of the atmosphere.
sottoソットそっと(1) *gently*
*lightly*;
(2) *slip*
*quietly*		(1) To handle something with care.
Ex: "He held the wine glass gently in his fingertips";
(2) To make a swift, and unnoticed exit.
soukaソウカそうか*aha*Realization of something. Derived from the phrase "I see" or 「そうですか」.
sowaソワそわ*fidget*
sowa sowaソワソワそわそわ(1) *restless*;
(2) *nervous*;
(3) *twinge twinge*		(3) SFX for that feeling felt when you have to use the bathroom.
soyo soyoソヨソヨそよそよ*breeze breeze*
*fwoosh fwoosh*
*fwosh*		SFX for a very gentle, light breeze.

See also