Entry
どっしり
dosshiri
どっしり describes something that is massive, heavy, and solid, or someone's calm, composed, and dignified presence.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe physical objects that have a large volume, are heavy, and appear very stable, such as imposing furniture or stone buildings. Figuratively, it describes a person with a heavy, stout physique, or someone who maintains an unshakeable, calm, and dignified attitude even in difficult situations.
- massive and stable objects
- calm and dignified attitude
- heavy and stout build
Sense Map
Physical Mass and Stability
Describes objects that are large, heavy, solid, and difficult to move or shake.
どっしりした家具
Attitude and Presence
Describes a character or demeanor that is calm, dignified, and not easily flustered by pressure.
どっしり構える
Body Build
Describes a person's physique as large, heavy, stout, and giving an impression of strength.
どっしりとした体格
Usage Note
How to Use
どっしりした + Noun
どっしりとした + Noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as massive, heavy, and solid.
どっしりと + Verb
Acts as an adverb modifying a verb, meaning an action is performed steadily, heavily, or with unshakeable composure.
どっしり + Verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
どっしりした建物
massive building
どっしりとした体格
stout and heavy build
どっしりと構える
to adopt a calm and composed stance
どっしり座る
to sit heavily and steadily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Buildings and furniture | Neutral | Indicates that the object is large, heavy, and appears completely immovable. |
| Attitude and mentality | Positive | Praises someone's calmness and authority when under pressure or facing a crisis. |
| Body build | Neutral | Describes a large, sturdy, and heavy physique, often giving an impression of power or protection. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がっちり がっちり / similar | Use がっちり for something solidly built, firmly joined, or robust without looseness. | がっちり focuses on structural firmness and a tight fit, whereas どっしり focuses on sheer mass, weight, and unshakeable stability. | がっちりした体格 |
でっぷり でっぷり / similar | Use でっぷり to describe someone with a large, protruding belly or plump figure. | でっぷり focuses on being overweight or plump, whereas どっしり focuses on an imposing, heavy, and solid presence which implies strength. | でっぷり太ったお腹 |
ずっしり ずっしり / similar | Use ずっしり to describe the physical sensation of unexpected or concentrated heaviness when holding something. | ずっしり focuses on the physical sensation of weight, often in an object that might not look huge, while どっしり requires a large, imposing physical volume and stability. | ずっしりと重い箱 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for small items that are just dense or heavy.
どっしり requires the object to be both heavy AND bulky or massive in size. For small but heavy things, this word is not appropriate.
Using it to describe a stubborn or inflexible person negatively.
When applied to people's attitudes (どっしり構える), どっしり is usually highly positive, meaning dignified, composed, and reliable. It does not mean stubborn.
Examples
Examples
あの古いお寺はどっしりとした構えをしている。
あのふるいおてらはどっしりとしたかまえをしている。
That old temple has a massive and solid structure.
VisualFocuses on the massive size and stability of the building.
彼はどんなトラブルが起きても、どっしり構えている。
かれはどんなトラブルがおきても、どっしりかまえている。
He maintains a calm and composed stance no matter what trouble occurs.
FigurativeDescribes a mental attitude that does not easily panic.
部屋の真ん中にどっしりした革のソファが置いてある。
へやのまんなかにどっしりしたかわのソファがおいてある。
There is a massive leather sofa placed in the middle of the room.
VisualUsed for furniture that has a large volume and heavy weight.
王様は玉座にどっしりと座っていた。
おうさまはぎょくざにどっしりとすわっていた。
The king sat heavily and with dignity on his throne.
VisualCombines the meaning of physical weight with an aura of dignity while sitting.
相撲取りのような、どっしりとした体格の男が立っていた。
すもうとりのような、どっしりとしたたいかくのおとこがたっていた。
A man with a massive, stout build like a sumo wrestler was standing there.
VisualIndicates a body posture that is large, heavy, and strong.
Similar Words
でっぷり
deppuri
Deppuri describes a figure or body that looks noticeably fat, portly, or stout due to carrying a lot of soft fat. Focuses on being overweight or plump, whereas dosshiri focuses more on an imposing, sturdy stature.
どっかり
dokkari
Describes the action of sitting down heavily or placing a heavy object down solidly.
がっちり
gacchiri
がっちり describes something that is solidly built, held firmly without gaps, or a person who is shrewd and calculating with money. Focuses on solid, tightly-joined construction rather than sheer heavy mass.
ずっしり
zusshiri
ずっしり (zusshiri) describes something that feels genuinely heavy, solid, or has a significant impact, both physically and emotionally. Focuses on the sensation of weight when an object is held or lifted, even if it is not large.
Questions
Can I use dosshiri for abstract feelings, like a 'heavy heart'?
No. Dosshiri is used for physical mass or a composed, stable attitude. For a heavy or gloomy feeling, words like donyori or omoi are more appropriate.
What is the difference between dosshiri and zusshiri?
Dosshiri is for things that look large, massive, and solid from the outside. Zusshiri is used when you actually hold or lift something and feel a concentrated, surprising amount of weight.
Is it polite to use dosshiri to describe someone's body?
It depends on the context. If describing an athlete like a sumo wrestler or rugby player, it praises their powerful and stout build. However, applying it to a regular person without sports context might be misunderstood as calling them fat, so exercise caution.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632270
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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