Translation guide
The English word 'clink' describes a light, sharp ringing sound, typically made when two hard objects (like glasses or metal) strike each other. In Japanese, this sound is expressed through onomatopoeia, verbs, and descriptive phrases, depending on the context.
To describe the sound made when two hard, often metallic or glass, objects lightly strike each other, such as glasses in a toast, coins, or keys.
An onomatopoeia for a light, sharp, metallic sound, like a small bell or two hard objects hitting. Commonly used for the sound of glasses clinking in a toast.
グラスがカチンと鳴った。
The glasses clinked.
A lighter, higher-pitched onomatopoeia for a small metallic sound, like a tiny bell or a spoon tapping a cup. Often used for delicate clinks.
スプーンがカップにチンと当たった。
The spoon clinked against the cup.
A crisp, short, sharp sound, often used for mechanical clicks or the sound of two hard objects snapping together. Can describe a clink with a slightly more solid, precise feel.
鍵がカチッと音を立てた。
The keys clinked.
A phrase meaning 'to make a clinking sound'. Useful when you want to be more descriptive or formal than just using the onomatopoeia alone.
彼はグラスをカチンと音を立てて合わせた。
He clinked the glasses together.
An onomatopoeia for a repeated, light clinking or rattling sound, like keys jingling or small metal parts moving. Implies multiple clinks in succession.
ポケットの中で鍵がカチャカチャ鳴っている。
The keys are clinking in my pocket.
To express the action of causing a clink, such as when toasting or tapping objects together.
A verb phrase meaning 'to make something clink'. Combines the onomatopoeia with the verb 鳴らす (to sound/ring).
彼女はグラスをカチンと鳴らした。
She clinked the glasses.
A verb meaning 'to strike together' or 'to clash'. Can be used for clinking objects, especially in a deliberate action like a toast. More formal than onomatopoeia-based phrases.
乾杯のときにグラスを打ち合わせた。
We clinked glasses during the toast.
Literally 'to touch together'. A softer, more delicate way to describe bringing objects into light contact, producing a faint clink. Less common for loud clinks.
彼はそっとグラスを触れ合わせた。
He gently clinked the glasses.
Specifically referring to the act of clinking glasses when making a toast.
The standard verb for 'to toast' or 'to make a toast'. While it doesn't explicitly mean 'clink', it implies the action of raising and often clinking glasses. In Japanese, the focus is on the toast itself rather than the sound.
みんなで乾杯しましょう。
Let's all clink glasses and make a toast.
Literally 'to bring glasses together'. A more direct way to describe the physical action of clinking glasses, without necessarily emphasizing the toast ritual.
彼らは笑顔でグラスを合わせた。
They clinked glasses with a smile.
In Japanese, the sound of clinking is often not explicitly mentioned. Instead, the focus is on the toast (乾杯) or the action of raising glasses. You can simply say 乾杯！(Cheers!) without describing the clink.
乾杯！
Cheers! (and they clink glasses)
カチン is a clear, single clink (like glasses). チン is higher-pitched and lighter (like a small bell). カチャカチャ is a repeated, jingling clink (like keys). Choose based on the quality and repetition of the sound.
グラスがカチンと鳴った。
The glasses clinked (once, clearly).
鈴がチンと鳴った。
The bell went 'ting' (a light clink).
鍵がカチャカチャうるさい。
The keys are clinking noisily.
While onomatopoeia like カチン are common, using them in every sentence can sound childish or overly dramatic. In many contexts, simply describing the action (e.g., グラスを合わせた) is more natural.
彼らはグラスを合わせて祝った。
They clinked glasses and celebrated.
コインのカチンという音が聞こえた。
We heard the clink of coins.
彼女はスプーンをカップにチンと当てた。
She clinked her spoon against the cup.