Entry
どしどし
doshidoshi
どしどし (doshidoshi) describes doing something actively without hesitation, things happening in rapid succession, or walking with heavy, stomping footsteps.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is most frequently used to encourage someone to take action without holding back, such as asking questions, sharing opinions, or sending applications. It implies a welcoming, open attitude toward vigorous participation. Additionally, it can describe things arriving or occurring continuously in large numbers, as well as the literal heavy, stomping sound of someone walking forcefully.
- Action without hesitation
- Rapid succession
- Heavy footsteps
Sense Map
Without Hesitation
Doing something actively without holding back. Often used to encourage people to ask questions, apply, or give opinions freely.
どしどしご応募ください。
Rapid Succession
Things happening, coming, or being done continuously one after another in a vigorous manner.
注文がどしどし来る。
Heavy Footsteps
The sound or action of walking with heavy, forceful steps, like stomping.
階段をどしどしと上る。
Usage Note
How to Use
どしどし + verb
The most common pattern, directly modifying action verbs (like asking, applying, or arriving) as an adverb.
どしどしと + verb
Adds the particle 'to' to emphasize the manner of the action, particularly common when describing the sound of heavy footsteps.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どしどし応募する
to apply freely/without hesitation
どしどし質問する
to ask questions without holding back
意見をどしどし言う
to express opinions unreservedly
どしどし歩く
to walk with heavy steps
注文がどしどし入る
orders come in one after another
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Encouraging action (e.g., asking, applying) | Positive | Highly appropriate when you want to make the listener feel welcome to act freely without holding back. |
| Footsteps | Neutral to Negative | Describes heavy, forceful steps. Can sound noisy or lacking elegance compared to lighter footsteps. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どんどん どんどん / similar | When things progress, happen, or change continuously and smoothly without stopping. | どんどん (dondon) focuses on continuous rapid progress or change, while どしどし (doshidoshi) implies vigorous, unreserved action or a heavier physical impact. | どんどん進む |
ずかずか ずかずか / similar | When someone enters a space or acts without hesitation in a rude or intrusive manner. | ずかずか (zukazuka) has a negative nuance of being invasive or rude, whereas どしどし (doshidoshi) is often positive and used for encouraging unreserved, welcome action. | ずかずか入る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for smooth, effortless progress or improvement.
Use どんどん (dondon) instead. どしどし (doshidoshi) implies active, vigorous effort or heavy action rather than just smooth progression.
Using it to describe a rude or intrusive lack of hesitation, like barging into a room.
Use ずかずか (zukazuka) for rude intrusion. どしどし (doshidoshi) is generally not used for violating personal boundaries.
Examples
Examples
遠慮せずに、どしどし質問してください。
えんりょ せずに、どしどし しつもん して ください。
Please don't hesitate, ask questions freely.
FigurativeOften used by teachers or speakers to encourage an audience to be active and not hold back questions.
新製品のアイデアをどしどし出しましょう。
しんせいひん の アイデア を どしどし だし ましょう。
Let's put out ideas for the new product unreservedly.
FigurativeUsed in brainstorming sessions to invite as many opinions and ideas as possible.
キャンペーンにどしどしご応募ください。
キャンペーン に どしどし ごおうぼ ください。
Please apply to the campaign without hesitation.
FigurativeA common phrase in advertisements and promotional materials to invite public participation.
全国から特産品がどしどし届いている。
ぜんこく から とくさんひん が どしどし とどいて いる。
Local specialties are arriving one after another from all over the country.
VisualDescribes things arriving continuously and in large volumes.
彼は怒ったようにどしどしと階段を上っていった。
かれ は おこった よう に どしどし と かいだん を のぼって いった。
He went up the stairs stomping heavily as if he were angry.
LiteralIndicates the physical sound and impact of forceful, heavy footsteps.
Similar Words
ずかずか
zukazuka
Zukazuka is an adverb describing an action performed directly, without hesitation, and often in a rude or intrusive manner. Both involve a lack of hesitation, but ずかずか is used in negative, intrusive contexts (violating privacy).
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. Both imply continuation, but どんどん focuses on smooth progress, whereas どしどし focuses on unreserved action.
Questions
Can I use どしどし for my own actions?
While possible, it's most commonly used to encourage others (e.g., 'Please ask freely') or to describe things coming in large numbers (e.g., 'Orders are coming in').
Is どしどし a polite word?
The word itself is neutral, but it is often paired with polite requests (like ください) in business or promotional contexts to sound welcoming and encouraging.
What is the difference between どしどし and どんどん?
どんどん emphasizes continuous, smooth progression or change, while どしどし emphasizes vigorous, unreserved action without holding back.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1009100
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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