Entry
どんどん
dondon
どんどん describes something progressing very quickly, someone acting without hesitation, or the sound of repeated loud banging.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word どんどん (dondon) is used to express a process or state that is advancing rapidly and smoothly, or an action taken proactively without holding back. It also serves as an onomatopoeia for loud, repeated noises, such as a door being pounded or fireworks going off.
- Rapid progress
- Proactive action
- Loud banging
Sense Map
Rapid Progress
Indicates a situation, project, or process moving forward very quickly and smoothly without hitting obstacles.
仕事がどんどん進む
Without Hesitation
Describes doing something continuously and proactively, without holding back or feeling reserved.
どんどん質問してください
Loud Banging Sounds
The sound of heavy, repeated striking or explosions, such as drums, fireworks, or pounding on a door.
ドアをどんどん叩く
Usage Note
How to Use
どんどん + 動詞
Used to show that an action is continuously advancing or expanding rapidly.
どんどん + と + 動詞
Used with the particle to to place more emphasis on the rhythm of the action or the resonant sound of the banging.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どんどん進む
advancing rapidly
どんどん大きくなる
getting bigger rapidly
どんどん食べる
eating enthusiastically and continuously
ドアをどんどん叩く
banging on the door repeatedly
どんどん質問する
asking questions without hesitation
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| In a work environment | Positive and encouraging | Often used to praise how efficiently a task is being completed, or to encourage someone not to hold back. |
| Sound of knocking on a door | Urgent or harsh | Banging a door with どんどん gives the impression of urgency, anger, or a lack of manners. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
だんだん だんだん / contrast | When something changes slowly, little by little, over a period of time. | どんどん is for rapid, vigorous change or action, while だんだん implies a slow, step-by-step transition. | だんだん寒くなる |
すらすら すらすら / similar | When performing an action, like reading, speaking, or writing, smoothly without getting stuck or stumbling. | どんどん focuses on rapid progression or quantity, whereas すらすら focuses on the lack of friction or difficulty in the flow of the action. | すらすら読める |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
どんどんわかってきた。
だんだんわかってきた。 (Use だんだん for gradual change or understanding)
爆弾がどんどんと爆発した。
爆弾がどかんと爆発した。 (どんどん implies repeated sounds, not a single isolated explosion)
Examples
Examples
チームのみんなが協力してくれたおかげで、仕事がどんどん進んでいます。
チームのみんながきょうりょくしてくれたおかげで、しごとがどんどんすすんでいます。
Thanks to everyone on the team cooperating, the work is progressing rapidly.
LiteralShows work progressing smoothly and quickly.
わからないことがあったら、遠慮せずにどんどん質問してください。
わからないことがあったら、えんりょせずにどんどんしつもんしてください。
If there is anything you don't understand, please ask questions without hesitation.
FigurativeEncourages someone to act proactively and not hold back.
誰かがドアをどんどん叩いている音が聞こえて、少し怖かったです。
だれかがドアをどんどんたたいているおとがきこえて、すこしこわかったです。
I heard the sound of someone repeatedly banging on the door, and it was a bit scary.
LiteralIndicates a loud, continuous, repeating sound.
子犬は出されたご飯をどんどん食べて、あっという間に完食した。
こいぬはだされたごはんをどんどんたべて、あっというまにかんしょくした。
The puppy eagerly ate the food it was given and finished it in no time.
LiteralShows an action done enthusiastically and sequentially.
夏祭りの夜空に、花火がどんどんと打ち上がりました。
なつまつりのよぞらに、はなびがどんどんとうちあがりました。
In the night sky of the summer festival, fireworks shot up and exploded with loud, repeated bangs.
LiteralDescribes the sound of large explosions echoing repeatedly.
Similar Words
だんだん
だんだん
When something changes slowly, little by little, over a period of time. どんどん is for rapid, vigorous change or action, while だんだん implies a slow, step-by-step transition.
Questions
What is the difference between どんどん (dondon) and だんだん (dandan)?
どんどん implies rapid, robust progress or change, while だんだん means a gradual, step-by-step transition over time.
Can どんどん be used for sounds?
Yes, it is very commonly used as an onomatopoeia for loud, repeated noises like beating a drum, fireworks, or pounding heavily on a door.
Is it polite to say どんどん食べて (eat a lot) to a guest?
Yes, it is a very friendly and welcoming expression encouraging them to eat as much as they would like without holding back.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 883271426
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/どんどん
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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