Entry
どくどく
dokudoku
Dokudoku describes a heavy, steady flow of liquid gushing out (especially blood) or a strong, pounding heartbeat.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates the visual or tactile sensation of a liquid flowing out with force in a pulsating manner. It is most famously associated with blood gushing from a wound. Additionally, it describes the physical sensation of the heart pounding heavily due to intense exercise, fear, or tension.
- Gushing liquids (blood/water)
- Pounding heartbeat
Sense Map
Gushing Liquid
Describes thick or copious amounts of liquid, notably blood, flowing or spilling out forcefully and continuously.
血がどくどく流れる
Pounding Heart
Describes the sensation of a strong, heavy pulse or a heart beating rapidly and loudly.
心臓がどくどくする
Usage Note
How to Use
どくどく（と）+ Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how a liquid flows, gushes, or spills.
どくどくする
Combined with 'suru' to describe one's heart or pulse pounding heavily.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どくどくと流れる
flowing gushingly
血がどくどく出る
blood gushing out
どくどく湧き出る
gushing forth
心臓がどくどくする
heart pounding heavily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bleeding | negative | A standard sound effect in manga for serious injuries to heighten tension. |
| Heartbeat | neutral | Expresses the physical thudding of the heart, often after sprinting or during a panic attack. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
だくだく だくだく / similar | Use 'dakudaku' primarily for profuse sweating or liquids completely soaking something. | Dakudaku focuses on a liquid covering a surface (like sweat running down), whereas dokudoku focuses on the pulsating exit flow (like blood from a vein). | 汗がだくだく流れる |
どばどば どばどば / similar | Use 'dobadoba' when a large volume of liquid is poured or spilled out rapidly all at once. | Dobadoba lacks the pulsating, rhythmic 'pumping' nuance of dokudoku and simply means a massive sudden pour. | 水がどばどばこぼれる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'dokudoku' for a light trickle of water.
Use 'potapota' (ぽたぽた) for dripping water. Dokudoku requires a large, forceful flow.
Using it to describe a gentle, clear stream.
Use 'sarasara' (さらさら) for smooth, gentle water. Dokudoku implies a heavier, thicker flow.
Examples
Examples
深い傷口から血がどくどくと流れている。
ふかいきずぐちからちがどくどくとながれている。
Blood is gushing profusely from the deep wound.
VisualThe most typical usage describing severe bleeding.
全速力で走った後、心臓がどくどくしている。
ぜんそくりょくではしったあと、しんぞうがどくどくしている。
After sprinting at full speed, my heart is pounding heavily.
LiteralShows the physical sensation of the heart pumping rapidly.
壊れたパイプから水がどくどく溢れ出した。
こわれたパイプからみずがどくどくあふれだした。
Water gushed out forcefully from the broken pipe.
VisualUsed for liquids other than blood gushing with rhythmic force.
地面から温泉がどくどく湧き出ている。
じめんからおんせんがどくどくわきでている。
Hot spring water is gushing copiously from the ground.
VisualIndicates a strong, unceasing flow from a spring.
恐怖で胸がどくどく鳴っている。
きょうふでむねがどくどくなっている。
My chest is pounding loudly out of fear.
FigurativeDescribes the very loud heartbeat caused by extreme fear.
Similar Words
だくだく
dakudaku
Used for sweat flowing profusely.
どばどば
dobadoba
Used for liquids pouring out massively all at once.
Questions
Can I use dokudoku for sweating?
No, sweat doesn't typically 'pump' out. Use 'dakudaku' (だくだく) instead.
How is it different from dokidoki?
'Dokidoki' describes the emotional feeling of nervousness or excitement (butterflies). 'Dokudoku' describes the literal, physical throbbing of a heavy pulse pumping blood.
Does it only refer to blood?
No, though it's the most common pairing. It can also describe hot springs or water gushing forcefully from a broken pipe.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632240
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- どうどう (doudou)
- Next entry
- ドシン (doshin)