SHAKKU-RI しゃっくり
Meanings
A hiccup: the involuntary contraction of the diaphragm that causes a sudden intake of air followed by the characteristic sound produced when the glottis closes.
Examples
There are countless folk remedies for stopping hiccups.
しゃっくりの止め方は俗説が多い。
Dogmatic Opinion
SHAKKU-RI names a physiological phenomenon. It is not really an onomatopoeic or mimetic expression, even though its sound makes it look as if it belongs naturally among them.
For Japanese Learners
Hiccup is the direct English equivalent. “しゃっくりが出る” is “I have the hiccups,” and “しゃっくりが止まらない” is “My hiccups won’t stop.” English normally uses the plural hiccups when talking about an ongoing bout.
