An onomatopoeia for a rattling or clattering sound — the noise produced when something shakes or things knock together.
夜中に車の下からガタガタと音がして目が覚めた。
I woke up to a rattling sound coming from under the car in the middle of the night.
古い戸が風でガタガタ音を立てている。
The old door is rattling in the wind.
棚の食器が揺れてガタガタしている。
The dishes on the shelf are shaking and clattering.
An onomatopoeia for trembling or shivering — the body or an object shaking slightly from cold, fear, or nervousness.
あまりの寒さに手がガタガタ震えた。
My hands were trembling from the cold.
怖くて声がガタガタ震えていた。
His voice was trembling with fear.
地震で窓ガラスがガタガタと揺れた。
During the earthquake the window glass rattled and shook.
An onomatopoeia for whining, grumbling, or complaining — used in expressions like 'ガタガタ言う' to describe persistent complaining.
彼は小さなことでいつもガタガタ文句を言う。
He always grumbles about the smallest things.
保証期間が切れたとたんにガタガタ言い出した。
As soon as the warranty expired he started complaining.
子どもが宿題をやりたくないとガタガタ言っている。
The child is grumbling that they don't want to do their homework.
Used adjectivally to describe something rickety, shaky, or in poor condition — unstable or wobbling.
古い椅子ががたがたで座るときに落ち着かない。
The old chair is so rickety that it's uncomfortable to sit in.
あの橋はがたがたで渡るのが怖い。
That bridge is rickety and scary to cross.