What is interesting about onomatopoeic words is 1) a link between pronunciation and its meaning connotation, 2) repetitiveness. In this post let me give you some examples of Onomatopoeic words starting with Chi. “Chi” sound mostly indicates being small in units or being snappy, just as “小さいchiisai” means “small”.
ちまちまChima Chima
meaning: Obnoxiously slowly; to take one’s time to do something when a faster way is available
ちまちま拭いてないで、さっさと片付けて！
Chima Chima huitenaide, sassato katadukete
Come on! You can finish drying the dishes quickly.
ちびちびChibi Chibi
meaning: little by little; to do something in an intermittent manner
ちびちび飲んでないで、ぱーっとやろう！
Chibi Chibi nonde naide, paatto yaro
Why are you taking little sips like that? Come on! Let’s get wild!
ちくちくChiku Chiku
meaning: prickly; to itch; to feel pangs; to be sarcastic
このセーター嫌だ。だって、チクチクするんだもん。
kono seetaa yada. datte, chiku chiku surun damon
I don’t like this sweater because it feels prickly.
断ってから、ずっと罪悪感で胸がチクチクするんです。
kotowatte kara, zutto zaiakukande mune ga chiku chiku surun desu
Since I declined that invitation, I’ve been feeling pangs of guilt.
私がミスするたび、チクチク言ってくるんですよ。嫌だな。
watashiga misu surutabi, chiku chiku ittekurun desuyo. yadana
He is so sarcastic when he points out mistakes I make. I hate it.
