Entry
どんぶりこ
donburiko
Describes the heavy sound or motion of a large object plunging into water or tumbling down a river.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word that expresses the heavy plop of a substantial object falling into water, or the bobbing, tumbling motion of a large item being carried away by a current or waves.
- sound of heavy object plunging
- motion of a large object bobbing down a river
Sense Map
Tumbling Down Water
The motion of a large, heavy object floating and bobbing down a river's current.
川をどんぶらこと流れる
Heavy Splash
The sound and impact of a heavy object falling into a body of water.
池にどんぶりこと落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
どんぶりこと + verb
Used adverbially to describe the manner in which an object falls or floats in water.
どんぶらこ、どんぶらこと + verb
The repeated form is highly rhythmic and often used in storytelling to emphasize the continuous, heavy bobbing motion.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どんぶらこと流れる
to float bobbing heavily
どんぶりこと落ちる
to fall with a heavy splash
どんぶらこどんぶらこ
tumbling and bobbing (repeated)
どんぶらこと流れてくる
to come tumbling down the river
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Storytelling (Momotaro) | neutral | Nearly all Japanese speakers will think of the Momotaro folktale when they hear 'donburako'. |
| Dropping a rock in water | neutral | Provides a slightly comical yet weighty description of the splash. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どぶん どぶん / similar | Used for a single, loud splash made by a large object entering water. | Focuses entirely on the impact splash, not on the subsequent floating or tumbling motion. | 川にドブンと飛び込む |
ごろんと ごろんと / contrast | Used for a heavy object rolling over or falling heavily on a solid surface. | Applies strictly to dry land, with no connection to water. | 石がごろんと転がる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a leaf or a paper boat floating down a stream.
This word requires a sense of heaviness. Use it for logs, giant peaches, or boulders, not lightweight items.
Using it for a heavy object tumbling down a grassy hill.
It must involve water. For tumbling on land, use words like 'gorogoro'.
Examples
Examples
大きな桃が川をどんぶらこと流れてきた。
おおきな もも が かわ を どんぶらこ と ながれて きた。
A large peach came tumbling down the river.
VisualA direct reference to the Momotaro folktale.
岩が川にどんぶりこと落ちた。
いわ が かわ に どんぶりこ と おちた。
The rock fell into the river with a heavy splash.
LiteralShows the sound made by a heavy falling object.
スイカが川をどんぶらこと流れていく。
スイカ が かわ を どんぶらこ と ながれて いく。
The watermelon goes tumbling down the river.
VisualDepicts a large, heavy, round object.
重い荷物が池にどんぶりこと落ちて沈んだ。
おもい にもつ が いけ に どんぶりこ と おちて しずんだ。
The heavy luggage fell into the pond with a heavy plop and sank.
LiteralUsed for a drop that has obvious mass.
丸太が川をどんぶらこと下っていく。
まるた が かわ を どんぶらこ と くだって いく。
A log goes bobbing down the river.
VisualFits heavy cylindrical objects moving in water.
Similar Words
ドブン
dobun
ドブン is an onomatopoeia for the heavy, deep sound of a large or heavy object plunging into water. Also for the sound of a large object entering water, but not for the floating motion.
ごろんと
goronto
Describes a heavy object tumbling over once or a person effortlessly flopping down to rest. For heavy objects tumbling/falling, but on solid ground (not water-related).
ザブン
zabun
Zabun describes a loud, heavy splashing sound caused by a large object plunging into water or a powerful wave crashing.
Questions
What is the difference between donburiko and donburako?
They are variants of the same word. 'Donburako' is much more famous because it is the exact phrasing used in the Momotaro story.
Can I use this word in professional writing?
Generally, no. It has a storybook or slightly comical feel, making it unsuitable for formal or academic contexts.
Does it mean sinking or floating?
It typically describes something bobbing along the surface (floating but heavy enough to sink partially) or the initial heavy splash of entering the water.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2609730
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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