Entry
どっさり
dossari
A surprisingly large amount of physical objects piling up, or the heavy thud of a large mass dropping.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes an unexpectedly large quantity or volume of things accumulating, often physical items like snow, gifts, or paperwork. The voiced 'do' sound gives it a heavy, substantial feel, which also connects to its secondary meaning of a heavy 'thud' when a large load is placed down forcefully.
- abundant amount
- heavy thud
Sense Map
Large Quantity
Used when a surprisingly large amount of physical items, such as snow, crops, or documents, has piled up or been gathered.
雪がどっさり積もる
Heavy Thud
Used for the sound or impact of something heavy falling or being placed down forcefully.
荷物をどっさり下ろす
Usage Note
How to Use
どっさり + verb
Acts as an adverb to describe an action that results in a large quantity.
どっさりと + verb
The particle 'to' emphasizes the manner of piling up or the sound of the heavy thud.
どっさりの + noun
Modifies a noun directly to indicate a massive amount of that item.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どっさり積もる
to pile up heavily
宿題がどっさり
a mountain of homework
お土産をどっさり買う
to buy heaps of souvenirs
どっさり落ちる
to fall with a heavy thud
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical objects | neutral | Emphasizes a large, heavy pile. |
| Tasks or work | negative | Implies a daunting or overwhelming amount of work to complete. |
| Sound of falling | neutral | A heavy, muffled thud of something massive. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
たっぷり たっぷり / similar | Use for generous, sufficient, or overflowing amounts without the heavy 'piling up' nuance. | Dossari focuses on heavy accumulation or mass, while this term focuses on satisfying sufficiency. | たっぷり時間をかける |
ごっそり ごっそり / similar | Use when an entire amount is completely removed or taken away at once. | Dossari is about things being added or piling up, whereas this term is about a large amount being taken away. | ごっそり持っていく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for abstract quantities like digital money or pure time.
Dossari is best for physical things that can visually pile up, like snow, fruit, or paperwork.
Confusing it with a light, crisp dropping sound.
Because of the voiced 'do' sound, dossari specifically implies a heavy, substantial mass hitting a surface.
Examples
Examples
庭に雪がどっさり積もっている。
庭[にわ]に雪[ゆき]がどっさり積[つ]もっている。
A large amount of snow has piled up heavily in the garden.
VisualDescribes snow piling up in a large, heavy mass.
おばあちゃんからみかんをどっさりもらった。
おばあちゃんからみかんをどっさりもらった。
I received heaps of mandarin oranges from grandma.
LiteralUsed for an abundant amount of physical items.
休みの間に宿題がどっさり出た。
休[やす]みの間[あいだ]に宿題[しゅくだい]がどっさり出[で]た。
A mountain of homework was given during the holidays.
FigurativeImagines tasks piling up high like physical objects.
大きな荷物を床にどっさりと置いた。
大[おお]きな荷物[にもつ]を床[ゆか]にどっさりと置[お]いた。
The large luggage was placed onto the floor with a heavy thud.
LiteralIndicates the heavy sound of a massive object being dropped or placed.
スーパーで買い物をしたら、袋に野菜がどっさり入った。
スーパーで買[か]い物[もの]をしたら、袋[ふくろ]に野菜[やさい]がどっさり入[はい]った。
After shopping at the supermarket, the bag was packed full of heaps of vegetables.
VisualFocuses on the physical pile of vegetables inside the bag.
Similar Words
たっぷり
tappuri
たっぷり describes having an abundant, highly satisfying amount of something or having ample, loose space. Used for generous or ample amounts, but lacks the heavy, piling-up nuance of dossari.
ごっそり
gossori
Describes a situation where a large amount of something is completely taken away, removed, or lost, leaving a noticeable void. Used when a large amount is completely removed or taken away, contrasting with dossari's accumulation.
どさっと
dosatto
どさっと is the heavy, dull thud of a bulky object, a large quantity of something, or a person falling or being dropped all at once.
Questions
Can I use dossari for a lot of money?
While possible if referring to physical stacks of cash, it is more commonly used for things like crops, gifts, or snow. For digital or abstract money, standard words for 'a lot' are more natural.
What is the difference between dossari and standard Japanese words for 'many'?
Standard words simply mean 'many' or 'much'. Dossari visually emphasizes a surprisingly large, heavy pile of physical things.
Can dossari be used for sounds?
Yes, it can describe the heavy, muffled thud of a large object or pile being dropped onto the floor.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009250
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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