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How to Say ‘Was pounding; was racing’ in Japanese

どきどきした

dokidoki shi ta

[doh-kee-doh-kee shee ta]

💬 Usage Tip: [どきどき] is a sound-symbolic word for a pounding heart. Japanese loves these expressive words. [どきどきした] means 'my heart was racing.'

🇯🇵 In Japan: Sound words like [どきどき] are everywhere in Japanese. They make reactions feel lively, cute, and very natural in conversation.

Phrase Breakdown

どきどき

dokidoki

[doh-kee-doh-kee]

thump-thump; pounding

A sound-symbolic word for a pounding heart from excitement or nervousness.

Example

試合の終盤はどきどきした。

The end of the match was heart-pounding.

shi

[shee]

did

Part of する, used here to make 'どきどきする' into the past tense expression.

Example

見ていてどきどきした。

Watching it made my heart pound.

ta

[ta]

past tense marker

Marks the feeling as something experienced in that moment.

Example

本当にどきどきした。

My heart really pounded.

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