Translation guide
The English word 'rattle' can describe a sound, an action, or a thing. This guide helps you choose the right Japanese expression depending on whether you mean a shaking noise, the act of shaking something, or a baby's toy.
Describing a sound like objects hitting each other repeatedly, such as windows shaking in the wind or loose parts vibrating.
An onomatopoeic adverb often used with する (suru) to describe a rattling or clattering sound, especially for loose or shaking objects like windows, doors, or machinery.
風で窓がガタガタする。
The window rattles in the wind.
地震で棚がガタガタと揺れた。
The shelf rattled during the earthquake.
Similar to ガタガタ but often implies a lighter, higher-pitched rattling, like a small object or a typewriter. Can also be used for chattering teeth.
タイプライターがカタカタと音を立てる。
The typewriter rattles.
寒くて歯がカタカタ鳴った。
My teeth were chattering from the cold.
Describes a noisy, clattering rattle, often metallic or chaotic, like keys or coins jangling. Can also mean a racket.
鍵がガチャガチャと鳴る。
The keys rattle.
The action of moving an object so that parts inside hit each other, like shaking a box of matches or a can of spray paint.
Literally 'shake and make a sound'. A clear, natural way to describe the action of rattling something.
彼はマッチ箱を振って音を立てた。
He rattled the matchbox.
Uses the onomatopoeia ガラガラ (a heavy rattling or rumbling) with 鳴らす (to make sound). Often for larger or louder rattles.
子供がガラガラをガラガラと鳴らした。
The child rattled the rattle.
Means to shake or jolt something, often with force. Can imply rattling if the object makes noise, but focuses on the shaking motion.
The object, typically a rattle, given to infants.
The standard word for a baby's rattle. It's an onomatopoeia that became a noun.
赤ちゃんにガラガラを買ってあげた。
I bought a rattle for the baby.
Explicitly says 'toy rattle', useful for clarity.
そのおもちゃのガラガラは安全な素材でできている。
The toy rattle is made of safe materials.
Figurative use: to make someone nervous, worried, or flustered.
Means to disturb or agitate someone's mind. The intransitive form is 動揺する (to be shaken).
そのニュースは彼を動揺させた。
The news rattled him.
Means to fluster or make someone panic. More about causing a loss of composure.
突然の質問に彼は慌てた。
He was rattled by the sudden question.
Stronger than 慌てさせる; implies being bewildered or disconcerted. Often used in literary contexts.
彼の冷静さが彼女をうろたえさせた。
His calmness rattled her.
To rattle off a list, speech, or facts without hesitation.
Means 'to say in rapid succession'. Natural for rattling off items.
彼は数字を立て続けに言った。
He rattled off the numbers.
Means to say smoothly or fluently, often from memory. Implies ease rather than speed.
彼女は詩をすらすらと言った。
She rattled off the poem.
The sound itself, as a noun.
The rattling sound, using onomatopoeia + という音.
遠くからガタガタという音が聞こえた。
I heard a rattle from a distance.
Can be used as a noun for a heavy rattling sound, like a cart or a rattle toy.
荷車のガラガラがうるさい。
The rattle of the cart is noisy.
These onomatopoeia all describe rattling sounds but differ in nuance. ガタガタ is for heavier, lower-pitched rattles (windows, furniture). カタカタ is lighter and higher-pitched (small objects, teeth). ガチャガチャ is noisier, often metallic or chaotic (keys, coins). Choose based on the sound quality.
風で窓がガタガタする。
The window rattles (heavy sound).
タイプライターがカタカタ鳴る。
The typewriter rattles (light sound).
鍵がガチャガチャ鳴る。
The keys rattle (jangling sound).
ガラガラ is specifically a baby's rattle or a heavy rolling/rumbling sound. Using it for a light rattling like a window would sound odd. Use ガタガタ or カタカタ instead.
窓がガラガラする。
The window rattles. (unnatural unless it's a very heavy, rumbling rattle)
嵐で窓がガタガタした。
The windows rattled in the storm.
彼女は取っ手をガチャガチャやったが、ドアは鍵がかかっていた。
She rattled the handle but the door was locked.
赤ちゃんは嬉しそうにガラガラを振った。
The baby shook the rattle happily.
彼は予期せぬ批判に動揺した。
He was rattled by the unexpected criticism.
彼はドアを揺さぶったが、開かなかった。
He rattled the door, but it wouldn't open.
To talk rapidly and forcefully, often in a complaining or aggressive manner. Can translate 'rattle on'.
彼は文句をまくし立てた。
He rattled on with complaints.