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Japanese Onomatopoeia in Komi-san wa Komyushou desu: Form, Sound, and Meaning

Bina Nusantara University, Indonesia

Open Access Copyright (c) 2026 by authors under http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0.

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Abstract

Japanese is one of the languages rich in onomatopoeia, and each onomatopoeia can undergo through various formation process. This study analyzes the types, formation, and meaning process of Japanese onomatopoeia from the viewpoint of phonology and morphosemantic. Data is collected from the anime "Komi-san wa Komyushou Desu" Episodes 1-4, excluding the ones shown through conversational dialogues, using note-taking techniques and documentation. The research employs a qualitative approach with descriptive analysis. The analysis uses the theories such as Asano-Kindaichi (1978) and Tamori (1999) for classification of onomatopoeia types, Akimoto (2002) for onomatopoeia word forms, and Hamano's (1984) theory for meaning components. The study shows that giyougo (behavior/movement) as the most common type of onomatopoeia in the data. Various forms of onomatopoeia were found, with repetition (hanpukukei) being the most prevalent. Each form of formation has a semantic function that gives additional meaning to the basic meaning of the onomatopoeia undergoing various changes.

Keywords: Japanese Onomatopoeia; Formation; Sound; Meaning

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