‘叮当’ is an onomatopoeic noun that imitates the light, high-pitched clinking or jingling sound made by small metal objects—such as tiny bells, keys, or charms—when they strike each other or a hard surface. The two characters together form a reduplicated sound word: ‘叮’ suggests a sharp, single metallic tap, while ‘当’ adds a resonant, slightly lower ring; together, they evoke a rhythmic, cheerful, or attention-grabbing chime.

This word is commonly used in descriptive contexts involving movement and sound—especially when something is shaking, swinging, or being carried (e.g., a cat’s collar bell, wind chimes, or a child’s toy). It appears frequently in children’s literature, advertising for toys or pet accessories, and casual speech to add vivid auditory imagery. Though it functions grammatically as a noun, it often modifies verbs (e.g., ‘叮当响’) or appears after ‘发出’ (to emit) or ‘传来’ (to come from).