Related words さらさら さらさら is a common onomatopoeia for a light, rustling or rippling sound, used in everyday language, while せんせん is a formal literary term specifically for the sound of flowing water.
Written forms 潺せん 々せん Usage 25%
Literary kanji spelling; the repetition mark 々 is used. The variant 潺潺 is also possible.
せんせん Usage 75%
Kana spelling; useful for learners since the kanji are rare and complex.
潺せん 潺せん
Alternate literary kanji spelling without the repetition mark.
Etymology The exact derivation is uncertain; the kanji 潺 is used specifically for the sound of flowing water, and the reduplication creates an onomatopoeic literary expression.
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