Translation guide
An interjection used to startle, scare, or express disapproval. In Japanese, the equivalent depends on the intent: startling someone, booing a performance, or expressing playful surprise.
You want to surprise someone by suddenly shouting to make them jump.
A sudden exclamation used to startle someone. It's short, sharp, and very common in everyday situations.
後ろから「わっ」と言って驚かせた。
I said 'boo!' from behind and startled them.
Often used when playing peek-a-boo with babies, but can also be used to startle someone in a playful way.
いないいないばあ！
Peek-a-boo!
You want to show that you don't like a performance or speaker, like booing at a show.
The standard onomatopoeia for booing. It mimics the sound of a crowd jeering.
観客がブーと叫んだ。
The audience shouted 'boo!'
The noun form meaning 'booing'. Used to describe the act of jeering.
You are playing with a baby and want to make them laugh by suddenly appearing.
The classic Japanese peek-a-boo phrase. 'Inai inai' means 'not here, not here' and 'baa' is the reveal.
赤ちゃんに「いないいないばあ」をすると笑う。
The baby laughs when you play peek-a-boo.
The English word 'boo' is not used in Japanese. Use the appropriate Japanese interjection based on context.
「ブー」はブーイングの時に使います。
'Boo' is used when jeering.
There was booing at his speech.