Entry
どんどん
dondon
Describes a rhythmic booming or pounding sound, or rapid progress that keeps coming one after another.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word covers two close uses. One is a repeating percussive sound, such as drums, knocking, or heavy steps. The other is action or change that moves quickly, steadily, and in succession, so the momentum never quite pauses.
- Repeating drum, knock, or pounding sounds.
- Work or change that advances quickly, one after another.
Sense Map
Drumming and Banging
Used when drums, knocks, or footsteps sound loud, rhythmic, and repeated.
太鼓がどんどん鳴る。
Successive Progress
Used when tasks, changes, or numbers move ahead quickly, one after another, without stopping.
仕事をどんどん片付ける。
Usage Note
How to Use
どんどん + verb
The most common adverbial pattern for a booming sound or for action that proceeds quickly and continuously.
どんどんと + verb
Adding と highlights the rhythm of the sound or the tempo of the progress.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どんどん進む
to move ahead rapidly
どんどん片付ける
to clear tasks one after another
どんどん叩く
to knock or beat repeatedly
どんどん増える
to keep increasing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sound | neutral | Paints a repeating drum, knock, or booming beat that keeps going. |
| Work and change | neutral to positive | Shows a quick successive tempo, often with helpful momentum. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずんずん ずんずん / similar | Used for unhesitating forward movement along a path or through space. | Focuses more on a firm physical stride. This word is more often about booming sound or tasks finished in succession. | 雪道をずんずん歩く。 |
ぐんぐん ぐんぐん / similar | Used for growth or progress that feels vigorous and forcefully fast. | Highlights inner drive and surging growth. This word is broader for successive activity, including repeated sound. | 子供の背がぐんぐん伸びる。 |
すくすく すくすく / similar | Used specifically for the healthy, unforced growth of children or plants. | Has a gentler, healthy-growth feel. This word feels faster, more successive, and sometimes loud. | 赤ちゃんがすくすく育つ。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Treating it as a drum-only word and refusing the progress sense.
Both readings are standard: percussive sound, and rapid one-after-another progress.
Using it for faint sounds or almost invisible change.
Keep it for clearly audible beats, or for progress fast enough that other people notice.
Examples
Examples
祭りの太鼓がどんどん鳴っている。
まつりのたいこがどんどんなっている。
The festival drums are booming steadily.
LiteralA loud, rhythmic drumbeat that keeps repeating.
誰かが玄関のドアをどんどん叩いている。
だれかがげんかんのドアをどんどんたたいている。
Someone is pounding repeatedly on the front door.
LiteralHard, successive knocks, not a polite tap.
未処理の仕事をどんどん片付けた。
みしょりのしごとをどんどんかたづけた。
The pending work was cleared quickly, one task after another.
FigurativeSuccessive progress through work, not a sound.
雨がどんどん強くなってきた。
あめがどんどんつよくなってきた。
The rain kept getting heavier and heavier.
VisualIntensity rising in a continuous, successive way.
新しい店が町にどんどん増えている。
あたらしいみせがまちにどんどんふえている。
New shops keep appearing one after another in town.
FigurativeA count rising in succession, a sense of quick urban change.
Similar Words
ずんずん
zunzun
Describes steady, forceful, and rapid forward movement or progress without hesitation. Focuses on a firm, unhesitating stride along a path.
ぐんぐん
gungun
Describes steady, powerful, and rapid progress or growth occurring without hesitation. Focuses on vigorous growth or forceful momentum.
すくすく
sukusuku
Sukusuku describes the healthy, rapid, and unhindered growth of living things such as children or plants. Focuses on healthy, natural growth of children or plants.
Questions
What is the difference between どんどん and ぐんぐん?
This word stresses action or change that continues without pause, one after another, and it can also be a sound. The neighbor stresses vigorous growth or forceful momentum.
What is the difference between どんどん and ずんずん?
This word often covers sound or successive work. The neighbor is more about a firm, unhesitating stride, with less attention to noise.
Is this word only for sounds?
No. Besides booming or knocking, it is very common for rapid, continuous progress.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1009320
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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