Translation guide
The English word 'crackle' describes a series of short, sharp, snapping sounds. In Japanese, the best translation depends on what is making the sound and the context. Common equivalents include パチパチ for small, high-pitched crackling like a fire or static, and バリバリ for louder, rougher crackling like tearing or crunching. Other options cover specific situations such as frying, crumpling, or rustling.
To describe a light, rapid series of popping or snapping sounds, like a campfire, electrical static, or sparklers.
An onomatopoeic adverb often used with と or 音がする to describe small, sharp crackling or popping sounds. Common for fire, frying, or static electricity.
たき火がパチパチと音を立てている。
The campfire is crackling.
ラジオからパチパチという雑音が聞こえる。
I can hear a crackling noise from the radio.
Describes a single, sharp crack or pop, often used for a spark or a single snapping sound.
薪がパチッとはじけた。
The firewood crackled with a pop.
To describe a louder, more forceful crackling sound, like tearing thick paper, crunching hard candy, or breaking something brittle.
An onomatopoeic adverb for a loud, rough crackling or crunching sound. Often used for tearing paper, eating hard snacks, or the sound of something stiff being crushed.
彼は段ボールをバリバリに破いた。
He tore the cardboard with a crackling sound.
せんべいをバリバリ食べる。
I crunch on rice crackers.
Describes a hard, scraping crackle, like chewing ice or scratching a hard surface. Can also imply a rough, grating quality.
To describe the sound of food frying in hot oil, with rapid popping and sizzling.
An onomatopoeia for sizzling or crackling when frying. It emphasizes the hissing and popping of hot oil.
ベーコンがフライパンでジュージュー音を立てている。
The bacon is crackling in the frying pan.
Also used for frying, especially when the oil pops and crackles with small sharp sounds.
油がパチパチはねる。
The oil crackles and splatters.
To describe a light, rustling crackle, like crumpling paper, stepping on dry leaves, or stiff fabric moving.
An onomatopoeia for a dry, light rustling or crackling sound. Common for paper, dry leaves, or dry skin.
落ち葉を踏むとカサカサ音がする。
The fallen leaves crackle underfoot.
彼女は紙袋をカサカサさせた。
She rustled the paper bag.
A louder, rougher version of カサカサ, used for heavier rustling or crackling, like rummaging through a pile of leaves or thick paper.
To describe a voice or electronic audio that breaks up with static-like crackles, often due to a bad connection or emotion.
Onomatopoeia for continuous static or white noise, like radio interference. Often used for a crackling, hissing sound in audio.
ラジオがザーザー言ってよく聞こえない。
The radio is crackling and I can't hear it well.
Describes intermittent crackling or popping sounds, like a bad phone connection or a voice breaking up.
電話がプツプツ切れる。
The phone crackles and cuts out.
These three onomatopoeia cover most crackling sounds. パチパチ is for small, sharp, high-pitched crackles (fire, static). バリバリ is for loud, rough, crunchy crackles (tearing, hard food). カサカサ is for dry, light rustling crackles (paper, leaves). Choose based on the texture and volume of the sound.
暖炉の火がパチパチ燃えている。
The fireplace fire is crackling.
プラスチックをバリバリに砕く。
Crush the plastic with a crackling sound.
乾いた落ち葉がカサカサ音を立てる。
The dry fallen leaves make a crackling sound.
Japanese onomatopoeia like パチパチ can function as adverbs with と (パチパチと) or as nouns with 音 (パチパチという音). To say something is crackling, use パチパチ音がする or パチパチ言う. The verb form パチパチする is less common for sounds.
火がパチパチと音を立てる。
The fire crackles.
氷をガリガリかじる。
I crunch on ice cubes.
彼は書類をガサガサ探した。
He rummaged through the papers with a crackling sound.