Entry
どかり
dokari
A word that describes the sound or state of a heavy object falling, or a person dropping their body weight heavily when sitting down.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
どかり (dokari) is a Japanese mimetic word (onomatopoeia) used to describe a sudden, significant impact caused by a large and heavy mass. It is most commonly used for describing heavy objects hitting the ground with a thud, or a person sitting down forcefully and heavily, either out of exhaustion or a bold, relaxed attitude.
- Sitting down heavily
- Falling or being placed with a heavy thud
Sense Map
Sitting heavily
Describes someone sitting down forcefully and dropping their full body weight onto a seat, often due to fatigue or lacking hesitation.
ソファにどかりと座る。
Falling or landing
Describes the sound or state of a large or heavy object falling, dropping, or being placed down forcefully.
荷物をどかりと置く。
Usage Note
How to Use
どかりと + verb
The most common usage. It describes how an action, such as sitting or falling, is performed with heavy weight.
どかり + verb
A variation without the particle と that serves the same function of describing a heavy action, though it is slightly less common.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どかりと座る
to sit down heavily
どかりと落ちる
to fall with a heavy thud
どかりと置く
to place heavily
どかりと腰を下ろす
to lower one's hips heavily (to sit heavily)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sitting on a chair or sofa | neutral | Portrays extreme fatigue or a dominant, space-taking posture. |
| Placing a heavy item | neutral | Indicates that the item is heavy enough to make a thudding noise when set down. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どたり どたり / similar | Used when emphasizing the soft but heavy thud of a mass, such as a human body falling over. | Usually not used for the deliberate action of sitting down, but rather for an object or body collapsing without strength. | ベッドにどたりと倒れる。 |
どしり どしり / similar | Used when emphasizing the deep, imposing weight and stability of an object. | Focuses more on the sheer mass and steadiness rather than the sudden action of falling or sitting. | どしりと構える。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using どかり for small or light objects falling.
どかり is only suitable for large objects or people with significant mass that create a heavy thud.
Using どかり to describe heavy footsteps.
For heavy footsteps, use words like どしどし (doshidoshi) instead of どかり.
Examples
Examples
疲れて帰ってきて、ソファにどかりと座り込んだ。
疲(つか)れて帰(かえ)ってきて、ソファにどかりと座(すわ)り込(こ)んだ。
I came home exhausted and sat down heavily on the sofa.
LiteralShows sitting down by dropping all one's body weight due to exhaustion.
屋根に積もった重い雪が、どかりと落ちてきた。
屋根(やね)に積(つ)もった重(おも)い雪(ゆき)が、どかりと落(お)ちてきた。
The heavy snow that had piled up on the roof fell down with a thud.
VisualShows the sudden dropping of a massive load of snow.
部屋の真ん中に大きな荷物がどかりと置かれている。
部屋(へや)の真(ま)ん中(なか)に大(おお)きな荷物(にもつ)がどかりと置(お)かれている。
A large piece of luggage has been placed heavily right in the middle of the room.
VisualGives the impression that the luggage is so heavy it was placed with a loud thud.
社長は社長室の椅子にどかりと腰を下ろした。
社長(しゃちょう)は社長室(しゃちょうしつ)の椅子(いす)にどかりと腰(こし)を下(お)ろした。
The president sat down heavily in his chair in the executive office.
LiteralDepicts the president dropping into the chair, showing a dominant or unreserved attitude.
彼は私の目の前に分厚い辞書をどかりと置いた。
彼(かれ)は私(わたし)の目(め)の前(まえ)に分厚(ぶあつ)い辞書(じしょ)をどかりと置(お)いた。
He placed the thick dictionary down with a heavy thud right in front of me.
LiteralEmphasizes how thick and heavy the dictionary is upon impacting the table.
Similar Words
どたり
dotari
Describes the heavy, dull impact or sound of a massive object or a person collapsing helplessly to the ground. Focuses on a heavy mass or body falling limply.
どしり
doshiri
Doshiri describes the blunt, resounding thud made when a massive or heavy object falls and hits a surface. Focuses on the stability and imposing weight of a large object.
Questions
Can I use どかり for a falling book?
It depends on the book. If it is a massive, heavy dictionary that lands with a loud thud, you can use どかり. For a regular thin book, it is better to use words like ばさっ or ぱたっ.
What is the difference between どかりと座る and ちょこんと座る?
どかりと座る means sitting heavily or spreading out one's weight, while ちょこんと座る means sitting neatly, taking up little space, and looking light.
Does どかり always have a negative connotation?
Not always. It simply describes the weight and force of an impact. However, when applied to a person sitting, it can appear impolite in formal situations because it suggests a very casual or unreserved attitude.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2588200
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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