Entry
どかっと
dokatto
Describes the action of sitting down heavily or dropping a large object with a thud.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word that expresses the heavy, unconstrained movement of a large mass settling or dropping. It is often used to describe someone collapsing into a chair out of exhaustion or dropping a heavy box onto the floor.
- sitting heavily
- dropping heavy objects
Sense Map
Sitting Heavily
Used when someone sits down with a lot of force, usually because they are exhausted or completely relaxed, giving in to gravity.
ソファにどかっと座る
Dropping Heavy Objects
Used when a large, heavy object is placed or dropped abruptly, making a dull thud.
荷物を床にどかっと置く
Usage Note
How to Use
どかっと + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying action verbs, most commonly 'to sit' (座る) or 'to put/place' (置く).
How to Use
Common Phrases
どかっと座る
to sit down heavily
どかっと置く
to put down heavily
ソファにどかっと
heavily onto the sofa
どかっと落ちる
to fall with a heavy thud
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaustion | neutral | Commonly describes someone coming home completely tired and collapsing onto furniture. |
| Formal Situations | negative | Sitting this way in a business meeting looks unrefined and disrespectful. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どっかり どっかり / similar | Describes sitting heavily or a massive object permanently occupying a space. | Very similar, but 'dokkari' focuses slightly more on the heavy presence of the object settling firmly into place. | どっかりと座る |
どっしり どっしり / similar | Describes something that looks or feels very heavy, massive, and stable. | 'Dosshiri' is about the stable, weighty state of an object, not the sudden action of dropping or sitting. | どっしりとした構え |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe dropping small, light objects.
It requires significant physical weight to be used correctly.
Sitting 'dokatto' in polite company.
Because it implies a complete lack of physical restraint, doing this in formal situations is considered rude.
Examples
Examples
疲れて帰ってきて、ソファにどかっと座った。
つかれて かえって きて、 ソファ に どかっと すわった。
Coming home exhausted, I sat down heavily on the sofa.
LiteralShows sitting down without supporting one's weight due to exhaustion.
彼は重そうな段ボール箱を床にどかっと置いた。
かれ は おもそうな ダンボール ばこ を ゆか に どかっと おいた。
He dropped the heavy-looking cardboard box onto the floor with a thud.
LiteralEmphasizes the heavy weight of the box, which was not lowered gently.
大男が椅子にどかっと腰を下ろした。
おおおとこ が いす に どかっと こし を おろした。
The large man plunked himself down heavily onto the chair.
VisualHelps visualize the heavy mass and unconstrained posture of the large man.
山積みの本が机からどかっと落ちた。
やまづみ の ほん が つくえ から どかっと おちた。
The pile of books fell from the desk with a heavy thud.
LiteralUsed because the stacked books collectively have a heavy mass.
彼女はベッドにどかっと倒れ込んだ。
かのじょ は ベッド に どかっと たおれこんだ。
She collapsed heavily onto the bed.
LiteralShows completely giving one's body up to gravity due to being utterly drained.
Similar Words
どっかり
dokkari
Describes the action of sitting down heavily or placing a heavy object down solidly. Used similarly to express sitting heavily, but also heavily emphasizes a massive, immovable presence.
ごろんと
goronto
Describes a heavy object tumbling over once or a person effortlessly flopping down to rest.
どっしり
dosshiri
どっしり describes something that is massive, heavy, and solid, or someone's calm, composed, and dignified presence. Shares the 'heavy' feeling, but describes the ongoing stable state of an object rather than a sudden action.
Questions
Can I use 'dokatto' for dropping a pencil?
No, it requires significant weight. Use 'poitt' or a similar word for light objects.
Is it rude to sit 'dokatto'?
It implies a lack of restraint. Doing it in front of someone important might be seen as lacking manners.
What is the difference between 'dokatto' and 'dosshiri'?
They are related in meaning 'heavy', but 'dokatto' focuses on the sudden impact or abrupt action of falling/sitting, while 'dosshiri' describes the stable state of being massive.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009170
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- とっぷり (toppuri)
- Next entry
- どかどか (dokadoka)