Entry
ドロドロ
dorodoro
A low, heavy, continuous rumbling or booming sound, like thunder or large drums.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia describing a low, heavy, and resonant rumbling or booming sound. It is most commonly used to describe the rolling thunder of a distant storm or the deep, vibrating beat of a large drum filling the air.
- thunder rumbling
- booming drums
Sense Map
Thunder Rumbling
The heavy and long rumbling sound of thunder, often heard before a storm.
遠くで雷がドロドロと鳴っている。
Drum Booming
The sound of consecutive strikes on a large drum producing a strong, low echo.
お祭りで大太鼓がドロドロと響く。
Usage Note
How to Use
ドロドロと + verb
Used as an adverb with the particle 'to', placed before verbs related to sound such as 'naru' (to rumble) or 'hibiku' (to echo).
ドロドロ + verb
The particle 'to' is occasionally omitted before the verb in casual speech, though using 'to' is much more common.
How to Use
Common Phrases
遠くでドロドロと鳴る
rumble in the distance
雷がドロドロと鳴る
thunder rumbles
太鼓をドロドロと打つ
beat drums boomingly
ドロドロと響き渡る
echo with a rumbling sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather (Thunder/Storms) | negative | Often used to describe thunder rumbling before or during a strong storm. It has a slightly scary or suspenseful nuance. |
| Instruments (Drums/Taiko) | neutral | Describes the deep reverberation of a large drum strike. It gives a grandiose and intense impression, sometimes dramatic in theater. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごろごろ ごろごろ / similar | For general rumbling sounds, like thunder, rolling rocks, or a hungry stomach. | Dorodoro indicates a heavier, deeper, and more ominously resonant sound compared to gorogoro, and is never used for stomach sounds. | 雷がゴロゴロと鳴る。 |
どんどん どんどん / similar | For rhythmic beating or pounding, like drums, fireworks, or loud footsteps. | Dondon emphasizes distinct rhythmic strikes, while dorodoro emphasizes a continuous, heavy reverberation. | 太鼓をどんどん叩く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using dorodoro to describe the sound of a hungry, rumbling stomach.
Use gorogoro (ゴロゴロ) or guuguu (グーグー) for stomach rumbling.
Confusing this acoustic rumbling word with the dorodoro that means muddy, syrupy, or messy relationships.
Though phonetically identical, this dictionary entry refers specifically to the heavy rumbling sound. The muddy or messy meaning acts conceptually differently.
Examples
Examples
遠くで雷がドロドロと鳴っている。
とおくでかみなりがドロドロとなっている。
Thunder is rumbling in the distance.
LiteralFocuses on the low echo of the thunder.
お祭りで大太鼓がドロドロと響く。
おまつりでおおだいこがドロドロとひびく。
The large drum booms at the festival.
LiteralDescribes the strong sound vibration of the drum.
嵐が近づき、空がドロドロと不気味に鳴り始めた。
あらしがちかづき、そらがドロドロとぶきみになりはじめた。
As the storm approached, the sky began to rumble ominously.
LiteralShows the heavy, intense feeling before a storm.
ドロドロと太鼓を打ち鳴らして、劇が始まる。
ドロドロとたいこをうちならして、げきがはじまる。
The play begins with the booming beating of drums.
LiteralOften used for sound effects in traditional Japanese theater.
地響きのような低い音が、ドロドロと聞こえてきた。
じひびきのようなひくいおとが、ドロドロときこえてきた。
A low sound, like an earth tremor, could be heard rumbling.
LiteralDescribes a sound so low it feels like it vibrates the ground.
Similar Words
ゴロゴロ
gorogoro
A word representing a heavy rumbling sound, a large object rolling, lounging around idly, or a gritty feeling in the eyes. For general rumbling like thunder or stomach sounds.
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. For more rhythmic and distinct drum beats.
Questions
Can I use dorodoro for fireworks?
Fireworks usually use dondon (どんどん) or doon (ドーン). Dorodoro is better suited for the continuous rolling thunder or long drum reverberations.
Is this the same dorodoro used for muddy things or melting?
It is phonetically identical, but this specific usage acts purely as an acoustic sound word for deep rumbling.
When should I choose dorodoro over gorogoro for thunder?
Use dorodoro when you want to emphasize a very low-pitched, heavy, and continuous reverberating rumble.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2836914
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
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- Active language
- English
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