Entry
ボトリ
botori
The dull, heavy sound of a weighty object dropping or falling onto a surface.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ボトリ describes the dull, heavy thud produced when a weighty object falls and strikes a surface. It specifically emphasizes the mass and weight of the falling object, distinguishing it from lighter objects.
- Heavy object dropping
- Dull impact
Sense Map
Dropping heavy objects
Describes the thudding sound of something heavy falling downwards.
荷物がボトリと落ちる。
Heavy impact
The dull impact sound when a solid mass hits the ground.
りんごがボトリと落ちた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ボトリと + verb
The particle と is used to connect the word with a movement verb like 'to fall', indicating how the action occurs.
ボトリ + verb
In colloquial speech, the particle と is sometimes omitted.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ボトリと落ちる
fall with a heavy thud
ボトリと落とす
drop with a dull thud
床にボトリと
heavily onto the floor
ボトリと音を立てる
make a heavy thudding sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A large fruit falling from a tree | neutral | Conveys that the fruit is ripe, heavy, and substantial. |
| Dropping a stuffed bag onto the floor | neutral | Implies the bag contains something weighty. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽとり ぽとり / opposite | Used for small, lightweight objects dropping. | ボトリ highlights a significantly heavier mass. | 涙がぽとりと落ちる。 |
どさり どさり / similar | Used for heavy, bulky objects falling, often in a pile. | ボトリ focuses on a single weighty mass, while どさり implies a bulky load or pile of items. | 本をどさりと置く。 |
どしり どしり / similar | Used for something with a solid, heavy, and stable mass. | どしり often indicates taking on weight or sitting heavily, whereas ボトリ is simply the sound of a falling object. | どしりと座る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ボトリ for light items like leaves or raindrops.
Use "ぽとり" (potori) for light things; ボトリ is strictly for noticeable weight.
Assuming it implies a destructive crash or breaking objects.
It only describes the dull thud of contact, not the breaking or destruction of the object.
Examples
Examples
木の枝から大きな柿がボトリと落ちてきた。
きのえだからおおきなかきがボトリとおちてきた。
A large persimmon fell from the tree branch with a thud.
LiteralHighlights the heavy weight of the persimmon as it hits the ground.
犯人は持っていたナイフを床にボトリと落とした。
はんにんはもっていたナイフをゆかにボトリとおとした。
The culprit dropped the knife he was holding onto the floor with a heavy thud.
VisualThe sound of the knife falling indicates it is a solid, heavy object.
釣り上げた大きな魚が、船の甲板にボトリと落ちた。
つりあげたおおきなさかなが、ふねのかんぱんにボトリとおちた。
The large fish that was caught dropped onto the boat's deck with a thud.
LiteralDepicts the impact of the heavy mass of the fish.
疲れ果てた彼は、手に持っていた荷物をボトリと落とした。
つかれはてたかれは、てにもっていたにもつをボトリとおとした。
Completely exhausted, he dropped the luggage he was carrying with a heavy thud.
VisualThe dropped bag sounds heavy, showing that it is full.
天井から黒い物体がぼとりと落ちてきて、私は悲鳴を上げた。
てんじょうからくろいぶったいがぼとりとおちてきて、わたしはひめいをあげた。
A black object fell from the ceiling with a thud, and I screamed.
LiteralThe thudding sound creates a mysterious and slightly scary atmosphere.
Similar Words
どさり
dosari
どさり (dosari) describes the dull, heavy thud of something substantial but somewhat yielding dropping or falling. Used when a large-volume object or a pile of things falls at once.
どしり
doshiri
Doshiri describes the blunt, resounding thud made when a massive or heavy object falls and hits a surface. Highlights the dense mass and stable weight of the object.
どたり
dotari
Describes the heavy, dull impact or sound of a massive object or a person collapsing helplessly to the ground.
ポトリ
potori
ポトリ (potori) describes the light sound or visual action of a single drop of liquid or a small object falling. Indicates a small, lightweight object falling.
Questions
What is the difference between ボトリ and ぽとり?
ボトリ is for heavy objects, while ぽとり is for small, light things like water drops.
Can I use ボトリ for a person falling down?
It's uncommon; for people, it's more natural to use "どすん" (dosun) or "ばったり" (battari). ボトリ is better suited for solid inanimate objects.
What verbs commonly follow ボトリ?
The most common verbs are "落ちる" (to fall) and "落とす" (to drop).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2866008
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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