Entry
どばっと
dobatto
Describes a large volume of liquid or objects suddenly gushing, spilling, or bursting out all at once.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Use this word when a large amount that was held back comes out in a single moment: water from a fully opened faucet, sweat bursting from nerves, trash spilling from a torn bag, or a shopping spree spent all at once. The point is massive volume and sudden release.
- Liquid gushing out all at once
- A large amount of objects spilling at once
Sense Map
Liquid gushing
Used for water, blood, or sweat that suddenly pours out forcefully in a large amount.
水がドバッとあふれる。
Objects spilling at once
Used when many items suddenly fall, spill, or empty out of a container together.
おもちゃがドバッと落ちる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ドバッと + verb
Used as an adverb before verbs of coming out, flowing, or spilling.
ドバッと出る
Marks liquid or objects suddenly coming out in a large amount.
ドバッとこぼれる
Marks the contents of a container spilling all at once when it breaks or opens.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドバッと出る
to gush or come out all at once
ドバッと流れる
to flow heavily in a single moment
ドバッとあふれる
to overflow all at once
汗がドバッと出る
sweat bursting out suddenly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Liquids | Neutral | Natural for water, blood, or sweat that suddenly comes out heavily from pressure or tension. |
| Objects or spending | Neutral | Gives a picture of a container bursting, or of money spent all at once in a figurative sense. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どばどば どばどば / similar | Use for liquid that keeps pouring heavily: a burst pipe, ongoing bleeding, sauce poured without restraint, or money draining over time. | It is a continuous flow, not a single burst, and it is rarely used for solid objects spilling out of a bag. | 水がどばどば流れる。 |
どっと どっと / similar | Use when a crowd rushes in or laughter or applause breaks out together. | It targets crowds or sound, not a physical dump of liquid or objects. | 客がどっと押し寄せる。 |
ぶわっ ぶわっ / similar | Use for a sudden gust of wind, a scent or blast of heat filling the air, or tears welling up at once. | It highlights sudden outward expansion, not a heavy volume of liquid or objects spilling. | 涙がぶわっとあふれる。 |
ぽたぽた ぽたぽた / contrast | Use when liquid falls drop by drop, such as a leaking faucet or sweat beading and dripping. | Those are separate repeated drops, not one large burst coming out all at once. | 蛇口から水がぽたぽたと落ちる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for liquid that only drips a little at a time.
For small repeated drops, use ぽたぽた. This word requires a large volume coming out in one moment.
Using this word for a single person simply moving quickly.
It marks a large volume coming out or spilling. For a person moving fast, use an ordinary verb such as stand up quickly or run quickly.
Examples
Examples
蛇口をひねると、水がドバッと出た。
蛇口(じゃぐち)をひねると、水(みず)がドバッと出(で)た。
When I turned the faucet, water gushed out suddenly.
LiteralThe most basic example for a sudden large flow of liquid.
大勢の人の前でスピーチをした時、緊張して汗がドバッと出た。
大勢(おおぜい)の人(ひと)の前(まえ)でスピーチをした時(とき)、緊張(きんちょう)して汗(あせ)がドバッと出(で)た。
When I gave a speech in front of a lot of people, I got nervous and sweat burst out all at once.
LiteralShows a physical response that occurs suddenly and heavily.
ゴミ袋が破れて、中のゴミがドバッとこぼれた。
ゴミ袋(ぶくろ)が破(やぶ)れて、中(なか)のゴミがドバッとこぼれた。
The trash bag tore, and the garbage inside spilled out all at once.
VisualUsed for a large volume of objects suddenly falling out and making a mess.
引き出しを開けたら、昔集めていたカードがドバッと出てきた。
引(ひ)き出(だ)しを開(あ)けたら、昔(むかし)集(あつ)めていたカードがドバッと出(で)てきた。
When I opened the drawer, the cards I used to collect came pouring out all at once.
VisualShows stored objects falling out all together when their container is opened.
ボーナスをもらったので、欲しかった服をドバッと買ってしまった。
ボーナスをもらったので、欲(ほ)しかった服(ふく)をドバッと買(か)ってしまった。
Since I got my bonus, I went and bought a huge haul of clothes all at once.
FigurativeFigurative use for the act of spending a large amount of money all at once.
Similar Words
どばどば
dobadoba
Pouring or gushing out in large amounts forcefully, typically used for liquids. A continuous heavy liquid flow, including sauce poured without restraint or money draining over time, not a single burst.
どっと
dotto
Dotto describes a sudden, large influx of people, or a simultaneous outbreak of sound or applause. A crowd rushing in, or laughter or applause breaking out together.
ぶわっ
buwa
Describes something spreading, welling up, or gushing outward suddenly, like a gust of wind or bursting into tears. A sudden gust, scent, or blast of heat, or tears welling up at once, not a heavy spill.
ポタポタ
potapota
Describes the sound or appearance of liquid continuously falling in distinct drops. Liquid falling drop by drop, not one large burst all at once.
Questions
Can this word be used for money?
Yes, figuratively, for example when a large amount of shopping or savings goes out all at once.
How is it different from a continuous heavy flow?
This word is one burst that finishes in an instant. A flow that keeps going uses the neighbor どばどば, which marks liquid still coming out without a break.
Is this word polite?
It is casual and descriptively neutral, not an insult. Avoid it in formal reports or speeches.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2864295
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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