Entry
どっかと
dokkato
どっかと describes the action of sitting down heavily or placing a heavy object with a solid, unreserved motion.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word conveys the feeling of releasing one's full body weight, such as flopping onto a sofa, or setting down a heavy object so that it makes a dull thump. It can also imply sitting in a bold, immovable, or imposing manner.
- Sitting down heavily
- Taking an immovable or imposing stance
Sense Map
Sitting Heavily
Used when someone drops their full body weight onto a chair or the floor, often due to exhaustion or a complete lack of restraint.
ソファにどっかと座る
Imposing Stance
Used to describe sitting or positioning oneself in a bold, unwavering, and imposing manner.
社長がどっかと構える
Usage Note
How to Use
どっかと + Verb
Directly modifies verbs of movement or posture, most commonly 座る (to sit) or 腰を下ろす (to sit down / lower one's hips).
How to Use
Common Phrases
どっかと座る
to sit down heavily
どっかと腰を下ろす
to plop down or lower one's hips heavily
どっかと構える
to take a firm, imposing stance
椅子にどっかと
heavily onto a chair
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Exhaustion after work | neutral | Describes letting go of all energy and collapsing onto a sofa or bed. |
| A boss or powerful figure | imposing | Describes someone sitting firmly and confidently, showing they cannot be easily moved or intimidated. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どすっと どすっと / similar | Use when you want to emphasize the dull sound of a heavy impact, like a heavy bag hitting the floor. | どっかと emphasizes the shifting and settling of heavy weight, often of a person sitting, whereas どすっと focuses strictly on the thudding sound of the impact. | どすっと倒れる |
すとんと すとんと / contrast | Use for a light, neat, or frictionless dropping motion, like settling into a chair gracefully. | すとんと feels light and clean, completely lacking the heavy, imposing, or exhausted weight of どっかと. | すとんと座る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for dropping small or light objects.
どっかと requires significant weight. For light objects, use words like ポイッと or コトンと.
Using it in polite situations to describe one's own actions.
Sitting どっかと implies a lack of restraint, which is inappropriate when you need to be polite. It can sound arrogant or overly casual to others.
Examples
Examples
彼は仕事から帰ると、ソファにどっかと座り込んだ。
かれはしごとからかえると、ソファにどっかとすわりこんだ。
When he got home from work, he flopped down heavily onto the sofa.
LiteralShows extreme exhaustion.
配達員は重そうな荷物を床にどっかと置いた。
はいたついんはおもそうなにもつをゆかにどっかとおいた。
The delivery worker placed the heavy-looking package on the floor with a solid thump.
LiteralEmphasizes the weight of the object.
社長は自分の席にどっかと構え、会議の始まりを待っていた。
しゃちょうはじぶんのせきにどっかとかまえ、かいぎのはじまりをまっていた。
The boss took an imposing stance in his seat, waiting for the meeting to start.
FigurativeShows authority and confidence.
招待されていない客が、リビングの中央にどっかと腰を下ろした。
しょうたいされていないきゃくが、リビングのちゅうおうにどっかとこしをおろした。
The uninvited guest plopped down heavily in the middle of the living room.
LiteralImplies a lack of manners or restraint.
彼は王様のように、大きな椅子にどっかと座っている。
かれはおうさまのように、おおきないすにどっかとすわっている。
He is sitting imposingly in the large chair like a king.
VisualDescribes an arrogant or powerful posture.
Similar Words
どすっと
dosutto
Focuses purely on the sound of a heavy impact, while どっかと focuses on the movement and settling of a heavy weight.
すとんと
sutonto
A light, clean drop without resistance, completely opposite to the heavy, exhaustive feeling of どっかと.
すとん
suton
Describes a light object dropping smoothly with a soft thump, a straight silhouette, or something suddenly making sense.
ごろんと
goronto
Describes a heavy object tumbling over once or a person effortlessly flopping down to rest.
ドスン
dosun
A heavy, dull sound produced when a large or heavy object falls, lands, or collides.
Questions
Can I use どっかと for someone falling down?
No, どっかと implies a deliberate or semi-deliberate settling of weight, like sitting or placing an object. For an accidental fall, words like ドシンと or どすっと are better.
Is it rude to say someone sat どっかと?
It can be. If you say a guest sat どっかと, it implies they lacked manners or acted overly relaxed in your home.
What is the difference between どっかと and どっしり?
どっかと is an adverb focusing on the action or motion of settling down heavily. どっしり describes the ongoing state of being massive, stable, or heavy.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009240
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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