Table of Contents

• 1. SFX
• sa
• sha
• shi
• sho
• shu
• su
• se
• so
• 2. See also

SFX

sa:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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	ssshh	Be 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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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:

Romaji	Katakana	Hiragana	English	Explanation
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

• List of SFX

View wiki