Translation guide
Describes a light, clear, ringing sound, often from small metal or glass objects striking each other. In Japanese, this is usually expressed with onomatopoeia or specific verbs.
Express a delicate, high-pitched ringing or jingling sound.
Onomatopoeia for a clear, repeated tinkling, like a small bell or wind chime. Often used adverbially with と or as a する-verb.
風鈴がチリンチリンと鳴っている。
The wind chime is tinkling.
猫の首輪がチリンチリンと音を立てた。
The cat's collar made a tinkling sound.
Onomatopoeia for a clear, sustained ringing, like a bicycle bell or phone. Slightly more metallic than チリンチリン.
自転車のベルがリンリンと鳴った。
The bicycle bell rang with a tinkling sound.
Onomatopoeia for a single, short tinkling sound. Often used for a small bell or a light tap on glass.
グラスがチリンと触れ合った。
The glasses clinked with a tinkling sound.
Literally 'sound of a bell'. A more descriptive, less onomatopoeic way to refer to a tinkling sound, especially from small bells.
遠くから鈴の音が聞こえた。
I heard a tinkling of bells from afar.
Describe the light clinking or jingling of small hard objects.
Onomatopoeia for the jingling of small metal objects like coins or keys. Slightly heavier than チリンチリン.
ポケットの中で小銭がチャリチャリ鳴っている。
Coins are tinkling in my pocket.
Onomatopoeia for a light, repetitive clinking, often of keys or small metal parts. Can imply a slightly mechanical sound.
彼は鍵をカチャカチャいわせながら歩いた。
He walked with his keys tinkling.
Onomatopoeia for a hollow, echoing tinkling, like a wooden bell or a geta sandal. Less common for metal.
Describe a light, high-pitched, pleasant laugh or voice.
Onomatopoeia for a light, rolling laugh, often used for children or young women. Conveys a cheerful, tinkling quality.
彼女はコロコロと笑った。
She laughed with a tinkling laugh.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'a voice like rolling a bell', used to describe a clear, beautiful, tinkling voice.
彼女の鈴を転がすような声が部屋に響いた。
Her tinkling voice echoed through the room.
下駄がカランコロンと鳴る。
The wooden clogs make a tinkling sound.