淙そう々そう

そ

う

そ

う

Meanings

taru-adjective, adverb taking the 'to' particle

formal or literary

Literary onomatopoeic word describing the gentle sound of flowing water, such as a stream or brook. Used as a taru-adjective or adverb with と.

淙そう々そうと流ながれる小お川がわの音おとが心地ここちよい。
The murmuring sound of the brook is pleasant.
淙そう々そうたる渓けい流りゅうのほとりで一ひと休やすみした。
We took a rest by the babbling mountain stream.

Kanji

淙sound of running water

Related words

さらさら
さらさら is a common mimetic word for a light, rustling sound, often used for leaves, sand, or thin streams. 淙々 is more specific to the sound of flowing water and is literary.
せせらぎ
せせらぎ is a noun meaning the sound or sight of a shallow stream, more common in everyday language. 淙々 is an adjective/adverb describing the sound itself.

Written forms

淙そう々そう
Literary kanji form using the character 淙, which specifically means the sound of flowing water. The repetition mark 々 indicates reduplication.
そうそうUsage100%
Kana spelling is practical for learners and common in modern writing, as the kanji are rare and specialized.
淙そう淙そう
Variant spelling without the repetition mark; less common but equally valid.

Etymology

Reduplication of the kanji 淙, which represents the sound of flowing water. The reading そう is the on'yomi of the character. The word is a literary onomatopoeia.