An Acorn’s Big Adventure – Donguri Korokoro for Kids

Japanese children’s songs are known for their gentle melodies and imaginative stories. Donguri Korokoro is a beloved classic that tells the tale of a tiny acorn rolling down a hill and finding itself in an unfamiliar place — the pond! This charming song introduces young learners to nature, friendship, and the comforting idea of returning home.

Japanese Lyrics

どんぐり　ころころ　どんぶりこ
おいけに　はまって　さあ　たいへん
どじょうが　でてきて　こんにちは
ぼっちゃん　いっしょに　あそびましょう

どんぐり　ころころ　よろこんで
しばらく　いっしょに　あそんだが
やっぱり　おやまが　こいしいと
ないては　どじょうを　こまらせた

どんぐり　ころころ　ないてたら
なかよし　こりすが　とんできて
おちばに　くるんで　おんぶして
いそいで　おやまに　つれてった

Romaji (Latin Alphabet)

donguri korokoro donburiko
oike ni hamatte saa taihen
dojou ga detekite konnichiwa
botchan isshoni asobimashou

donguri korokoro yorokonde
shibaraku isshoni asonda ga
yappari oyama ga koishii to
naite wa dojo o komaraseta

donguri korokoro naitetara
nakayoshi korisuga tondekite
ochiba ni kurunde onbushite
isoide oyama ni tsuretetta

English Meaning (Simple Interpretation)

A little acorn rolled and rolled —
Splash! It suddenly fell into a pond!
A loach came out and said, “Hello!
Little one, let’s play together!”

The acorn was happy and full of joy
They played together for a little while,
But then the acorn missed the mountain
And cried, troubling the poor loach.

As the acorn wept sadly,
A friendly squirrel came flying over.
It wrapped the acorn in fallen leaves,
Carried it on its back, and rushed it back home to the mountain.

Why Kids Love This Song

Donguri Korokoro is short, melodic, and full of imagery that young children can relate to: falling, playing, missing home, and being comforted by a friend. It’s ideal for early language learners because of its repetitive structure, simple vocabulary, and emotional storytelling.

Through this song, children are introduced to:

• Basic nature words: donguri (acorn), oike (pond), dojou (loach), oyama (mountain)

• Simple greetings and actions: konnichiwa (hello), asobimashou (let’s play), naita (cried)

Sing, Play, and Learn with Dinolingo

In Dinolingo’s Japanese for Kids program, songs like Donguri Korokoro are brought to life with animations, interactive games, and guided listening activities. Children can hear native pronunciation, repeat the lyrics, and even act out the scenes — all while naturally absorbing the language and cultural context.

Perfect for ages 2–14, Dinolingo’s platform supports learning on web, iOS, and Android, and includes songs, vocabulary games, and printable resources that align with how children love to learn.

Final Thought

When kids sing Donguri Korokoro, they aren’t just repeating words, they’re experiencing a tiny adventure, one that teaches empathy, curiosity, and the joy of friendship. It’s an ideal introduction to Japanese language and nature themes, wrapped in the magic of music.