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.
The campfire is crackling.
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.
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.
He tore the cardboard with a crackling sound.
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.
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.
The fallen leaves crackle underfoot.
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.
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.
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.
The fireplace fire is crackling.
Crush the plastic with a crackling sound.
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.
The fire crackles.
I crunch on rice crackers.
氷をガリガリかじる。
I crunch on ice cubes.
The oil crackles and splatters.
She rustled the paper bag.
彼は書類をガサガサ探した。
He rummaged through the papers with a crackling sound.