Entry
バタン
batan
A loud, heavy sound of impact, such as a door slamming or someone falling flat.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
"Batan" mimics the sudden, loud sound produced when two relatively heavy or large surfaces impact each other. It is most commonly used to describe the slamming of a door, window, or lid, as well as the heavy thud of a person's body collapsing onto a bed or floor due to extreme exhaustion.
- slamming doors
- heavy falling objects
- collapsing from exhaustion
Sense Map
Slamming doors
The loud noise made when a door, window, or lid is closed forcefully.
ドアがバタンと閉まる。
Falling flat
The heavy sound of a person or large flat object collapsing onto a surface.
ベッドにバタンと倒れる。
Usage Note
How to Use
バタンと + verb
Used with verbs like 閉まる (to close), 閉める (to shut), or 倒れる (to fall) to describe actions that produce a loud bang.
バタンと音がする
A set phrase meaning 'a loud banging or slamming sound is heard'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
バタンと閉める
to slam shut
バタンと閉まる
to slam closed
バタンと倒れる
to collapse or fall flat
バタンと音がする
to make a loud bang or thud
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Closing a door | negative | When done intentionally, it strongly implies anger, frustration, or rudeness. |
| Collapsing on a bed | neutral | Conveys total physical exhaustion and a lack of energy to move carefully. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どん どん / nearby | Used for blunt, heavy impacts, like hitting a wall. | Unlike "batan", it doesn't usually involve flat surfaces or hinged objects like doors. | 壁にどんとぶつかる。 |
どかん どかん / nearby | Used for explosive sounds or massive impacts. | Strongly implies explosions or destruction rather than everyday objects falling. | ドカンと爆発する。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using "batan" for small or light items dropping.
"Batan" is for heavy, flat impacts; use other words for small drops.
Using it for literal explosions or gunshots.
For explosions, "dokan" or "ban" is more appropriate. "Batan" is for physical collisions.
Examples
Examples
風でドアがバタンと閉まった。
かぜでドアがバタンとしまった。
The door slammed shut in the wind.
LiteralIndicates the loud bang of the door closing by the wind.
彼は怒ってドアをバタンと閉めて出て行った。
かれはおこってドアをバタンとしめてでていった。
He angrily slammed the door and left.
FigurativeSlamming the door forcefully to express anger.
疲れ果てて、ベッドにバタンと倒れ込んだ。
つかれはてて、ベッドにバタンとたおれこんだ。
Exhausted, I collapsed heavily onto the bed.
FigurativeDescribes the body dropping heavily due to extreme exhaustion.
突然、隣の部屋でバタンと大きな音がした。
とつぜん、となりのへやでバタンとおおきなおとがした。
Suddenly, there was a loud bang in the next room.
LiteralRefers to the sound of something heavy falling or slamming.
立てかけてあった板が、バタンと倒れた。
たてかけてあったいたが、バタンとたおれた。
The leaning board fell over with a loud thud.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a flat, heavy object hitting the floor.
Similar Words
どん
don
どん (don) describes a heavy thud or loud boom, and is often used figuratively to mean landing 'exactly' on target or adopting a bold, steady attitude. A dull, heavy thud.
ドカン
dokan
Dokan represents the loud bang of a massive explosion or a heavy, forceful impact. A powerful explosive boom.
パタン
patan
Represents the light, sharp sound of a flat object closing, or something abruptly coming to a stop.
がたん
gatan
A word describing the heavy sound of an object bumping, a mechanical jolt, or a sudden sharp decline.
Questions
Can I use "batan" for heavy footsteps?
No, heavy footsteps are better described with "dosun" or "dotabota". "Batan" is strictly for flat objects dropping or doors slamming.
What is the difference between "batan" and "patan"?
"Patan" is for lighter or thinner objects, like snapping a small book shut. "Batan" sounds much heavier and louder.
Is there a negative impression when using "batan" for closing a door?
Yes, closing a door with a "batan" sound is often considered rude or implies that the person is behaving aggressively due to anger.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1098680
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- バタバタ (batabata)
- Next entry
- パサパサ (pasapasa)