Japanese Animal Sounds & Names: Moo, Meow, and More in Japanese
Animals are some of a child’s first language teachers. In Japanese, creatures “talk” differently: a cat says にゃー (nyā) and a cow goes もー (mō). Pairing animal names (どうぶつ, dōbutsu) with their sounds helps kids remember both vocabulary and fun onomatopoeia naturally.
Animal Names & Sounds
| English | Japanese Name | Sound (Onomatopoeia) | Japanese Sound |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cat | ねこ (neko) | Meow | にゃー (nyā) |
| Dog | いぬ (inu) | Woof | わんわん (wan-wan) |
| Cow | うし (ushi) | Moo | もー (mō) |
| Bird | とり (tori) | Tweet | ぴーちくぱーちく (pīchiku pāchiku) |
| Frog | かえる (kaeru) | Ribbit | けろけろ (kero-kero) |
| Duck | あひる (ahiru) | Quack | がーがー (gā-gā) |
| Pig | ぶた (buta) | Oink | ぶーぶー (bū-bū) |
| Sheep | ひつじ (hitsuji) | Baa | めーめー (mē-mē) |
Activities & Games
Sound-Match Relay
Print two sets of cards—one with animal pictures/words, one with their sounds in hiragana. Spread all face down. Kids flip one of each, read aloud (「ねこ… にゃー！」), and keep pairs. Fastest matcher wins.
Animal Choir
Line children up as different animals. Call out a Japanese animal name—「かえる！」—and they chorus the sound 「けろけろ！」 in unison. Rotate until every voice has “spoken.”
Practice Corner
Create a “Zoo Wall” at home with picture cards and sound bubbles. Each day, add one new animal and its sound. Challenge family members to name both word and onomatopoeia before snack time.
Extend your animal adventure with Dinolingo. A family plan unlocks 50+ languages and 40 000+ activities—animated animal stories, matching flashcards, and surprise badges. Age-specific paths (Pre-readers 2–5, Elementary 6–10, Tween/Teen 11–14) reinforce every creature’s name and sound, while parents track progress on an ad-free dashboard.
Final Thoughts
Learning how animals “speak” in Japanese turns vocabulary into a playful symphony of sounds. Combine these games with Dinolingo’s interactive follow-ups, and your child will soon say 「ぶーぶー」 or 「ぴーちくぱーちく」 with delight and confidence.
Sources
- Tofugu – Japanese Onomatopoeia Guide