擬態語：さ行 – Sound Symbolism in Japanese

Sound symbolism in Japanese is very important. Unlike English and many other languages, you will soon realize that this is a special unique feature of the Japanese language.

Understanding Sound Symbolism in Japanese

 Sound Symbolism is a linguistic concept that sounds in words can have meaning.  The most common type of Sound Symbolism can be seen in Onomatopoeia. Onomatopoeia are words for sounds. Japanese Onomatopoeia are known as 擬態語ぎたいご or 擬音語ぎおんご in Japanese.  

In English, a cat says meow and a dog, woof. That is about as far as English goes. Japanese however takes onomatopoeia to a new dimension.

https://japaneseuniverse.com/2024/02/18/pac-man-in-japaneseconcepts-behind-development-to-global-icon/

Sound Symbolism in Japanese has similar words that represent other senses such as sight, smell, touch, and so on. Words can also represent psychological states, moods, etc. Almost like the words have synesthesia. 

What does ‘s’ mean in Japanese

Depending on where the s sound is located in the word, the meaning may change. However, usually, it will usually mean something close to the following:

◆　Quick and Smooth Movement
◆　Soft or Smooth Texture
◆　Silence

Quick and Smooth Movement

s is a sound called a fricative. Another example of fricative in English is f or the sh sound. The terminology is not important but it is enough to know that the s and sh sound are produced with a constant, unimpeded flow of breath.

You can test this by holding sssssss and compare it to tttttttttttt. Here you can see that s flows through your teeth without any issues while t can not be held.

So, the s and sh sound in Japanese Onomatopoeia often represents quick and smooth movement.

さっさと家いえを出でる
to leave the house promptly

すいすいと泳およぐ人ひと
A person that swims smoothly/gracefully

Soft or Smooth Texture

s can also represent things that are soft or smooth

さらさらした髪かみの毛け
soft or silky smooth hair

するするしたそうめん
slippery or smooth somen

The Sound of Silence

There needs to be some way to represent no sound with sound. The sound of silence is represented with s and specifically with the sh sound in Japanese.

雨あめがしとしと降ふっている
Rain is falling gently

しんと静しずかになった
it became silently silent

Resources

• オノマトペの語形パターンに関する一考察
• 日本語の擬声語・擬態語における形態と意味の相関についての研究