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.
The wind chime is tinkling.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
She laughed with a tinkling laugh.
Idiomatic phrase meaning 'a voice like rolling a bell', used to describe a clear, beautiful, tinkling voice.
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.
The wooden clogs make a tinkling sound.
Her tinkling voice echoed through the room.