Entry
だくだく
dakudaku
Describes a copious, uncontrolled flow of liquid such as sweat or blood, or heavy rhythmic pounding sounds.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word primarily describes bodily fluids, especially sweat or blood, pouring out or flowing profusely in large amounts. Additionally, it can capture heavy, rhythmic pattering or thumping sounds, such as galloping hoofbeats.
- profuse flowing (liquids)
- thumping sounds
Sense Map
Profuse Liquid Flow
Used when bodily fluids like sweat or blood flow continuously in copious amounts.
汗がだくだく流れる。
Thumping Footsteps
Describes a heavy rhythmic sound like galloping hoofbeats.
馬の足音がだくだくと響く。
Usage Note
How to Use
だくだく（と） + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how the liquid flows or pours out profusely.
Noun (汗) + をだくだくかく
A set phrase used almost exclusively with sweat, meaning 'to sweat profusely'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
汗をだくだくかく
to sweat profusely
血がだくだく流れる
blood gushing out
だくだくと溢れる
overflowing profusely
汗だくだく
drenched in sweat
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Flowing bodily fluids (sweat, blood) | neutral | Emphasizes that the volume is very large and out of one's physical control. |
| Rhythmic sounds | neutral | Describes a heavy and continuous thumping sound. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どくどく どくどく / similar | Used for liquids flowing with a pulsating rhythm, especially blood pumping from a wound. | だくだく focuses on the copious amount of fluid, whereas どくどく emphasizes the throbbing or pulsating rhythm of the flow. | 血がどくどく流れる |
だばだば だばだば / similar | Used when liquid is spilled or poured in a sloppy, excessive manner. | だくだく is usually for bodily fluids naturally pouring out of the body, while だばだば is often used for the sloppy action of spilling something from a container. | 水をだばだばこぼす |
どきどき どきどき / contrast | Used for a fast heartbeat due to nervousness or excitement. | While both can describe rhythmic sounds, ドキドキ is specific to emotions and heartbeats, whereas だくだく is for physical, heavy pattering like hoofbeats. | 胸がドキドキする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using だくだく for a gentle stream of water.
だくだく implies an excessive, heavy flow. For a pleasant, gentle stream, use さらさら (sarasara).
Using it for a nervous heartbeat.
Even though だくだく can mean rhythmic thumping sounds, a nervous or excited heartbeat is described with ドキドキ (dokidoki).
Examples
Examples
暑すぎて、汗をだくだくかいた。
あつすぎて、あせをだくだくかいた。
It was so hot that I sweated profusely.
VisualShows an excessive amount of sweat.
傷口から血がだくだくと流れている。
きずぐちからちがだくだくとながれている。
Blood is gushing out from the wound.
VisualDescribes a heavy, uncontrolled flow of blood.
夏の部活の後は、みんな汗だくだくだ。
なつのぶかつのあとは、みんなあせだくだくだ。
After summer club activities, everyone is drenched in sweat.
VisualUses a variation of the word to describe physical condition.
遠くから馬の足音がだくだくと聞こえてきた。
とおくからうまのあしおとがだくだくときこえてきた。
The sound of hoofbeats came thumping from afar.
LiteralUsed for a heavy rhythmic sound.
怖くて、冷や汗がだくだくと出た。
こわくて、ひやあせがだくだくとでた。
I was so scared that cold sweat poured out.
VisualDescribes a physical reaction to fear.
Similar Words
どくどく
dokudoku
Dokudoku describes a heavy, steady flow of liquid gushing out (especially blood) or a strong, pounding heartbeat. Often compared for flowing bodily fluids. どくどく emphasizes a pulsing, throbbing rhythm.
だばだば
dabadaba
This word describes a large volume of liquid pouring, flowing, or gushing out vigorously and continuously. だばだば is also an excessive flow, but it generally refers to spilling something clumsily.
ドキドキ
dokidoki
A word that mimics the sound and feeling of a fast-beating heart due to nervousness, excitement, or fear. Both are rhythmic thumping sounds, but ドキドキ is used for heartbeats due to emotions.
Questions
Does だくだく always have a negative meaning?
Not necessarily. While often used for bleeding, it is entirely neutral when describing heavy sweating after an intense workout.
What is the difference between 汗だく (asedaku) and だくだく (dakudaku)?
汗だく is a noun describing the state of being drenched in sweat, while だくだく is the adverb describing the action of the sweat flowing.
Can I use だくだく for tap water running fast?
It sounds a bit unnatural. For a running tap, Japanese speakers prefer words like ジャージャー (jaajaa) or だばだば (dabadaba).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2695350
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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