Translation guide
Describes a loud, rattling noise made by objects striking each other, often repeatedly. In Japanese, this is typically expressed with onomatopoeia, most commonly ガタガタ (gata-gata) for rattling or clattering sounds, or ガチャガチャ (gacha-gacha) for metallic clattering. The choice depends on the material and context.
Express a loud, continuous rattling or clattering sound, like objects shaking or hitting each other.
Onomatopoeia for a rattling, clattering, or shaking noise, often used for loose parts, furniture, or vehicles. Can also imply instability.
窓が風でガタガタ鳴っている。
The window is rattling in the wind.
古い机がガタガタする。
The old desk is wobbly and clatters.
Onomatopoeia for a metallic clattering or clanking sound, like keys, coins, or machinery. Often implies a harsher, more metallic noise than ガタガタ.
鍵をガチャガチャいわせた。
He jangled his keys with a clatter.
機械がガチャガチャと音を立てて動いている。
The machine is running with a clattering noise.
Onomatopoeia for a flapping, banging, or clattering noise, often from something repeatedly hitting a surface, like shutters or footsteps.
雨戸が風でバタバタと音を立てた。
The shutters clattered in the wind.
Describe something falling and making a loud clattering noise upon impact.
Uses the onomatopoeia ガタン (gatan) for a single, sharp clattering or banging sound, often when something heavy falls.
本棚から本がガタンと落ちた。
A book fell off the shelf with a clatter.
Uses ガラガラ (gara-gara) for a rumbling, crashing, or clattering collapse, like a pile of objects falling.
積み上げた箱がガラガラと崩れた。
The stacked boxes collapsed with a clatter.
Describe an action that produces a clattering sound, such as moving objects or walking noisily.
To move something while making a rattling or clattering noise.
彼は机をガタガタと動かした。
He moved the desk with a clatter.
To walk while making a clattering noise, e.g., wearing noisy shoes or carrying clattering items.
鎧を着た武士がガチャガチャと歩いた。
The armored samurai walked with a clatter.
ガタガタ is used for duller, wooden, or loose rattling sounds (e.g., a shaky table, a rattling window). ガチャガチャ is sharper and more metallic (e.g., keys, coins, machinery). Use ガタガタ for general clattering unless the sound is distinctly metallic.
机がガタガタする。
The desk is wobbly and clatters.
鍵がガチャガチャ鳴る。
The keys jangle with a clatter.
Japanese onomatopoeia like ガタガタ can function as adverbs (with と) or as suru-verbs (ガタガタする). To describe a sound, use ガタガタ音がする or ガタガタ鳴る. To describe a state, use ガタガタだ or ガタガタしている.
風で窓がガタガタ音を立てている。
The window is making a clattering noise in the wind.