Entry
ドスン
dosun
A heavy, dull sound produced when a large or heavy object falls, lands, or collides.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia representing the dull, heavy sound of a significant impact. It is commonly used for a heavy object dropping to the floor, a person forcefully sitting down due to exhaustion, or a solid physical collision. The voiced 'do' sound strongly emphasizes the substantial weight and force of the impact.
- heavy dropping sound
- sitting heavily
- solid collision
Sense Map
Falling Objects
Describes the heavy thudding sound made when an object with large mass hits the ground or floor.
重い荷物がドスンと落ちる
Body Impact
Used when a person lands heavily, throws their weight onto a seat, or bumps forcefully into an obstacle.
ソファにドスンと座る
Usage Note
How to Use
ドスンと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action that produces a heavy thud, such as falling (落ちる), sitting (座る), or colliding (ぶつかる).
ドスンという音
Used as a noun phrase meaning 'a heavy thudding sound', often paired with verbs like 'to hear' (聞こえる) or 'to echo' (響く).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドスンと落ちる
to fall with a heavy thud
ドスンと座る
to sit down heavily / flop down
ドスンという音
a heavy thudding sound
ドスンとぶつかる
to collide with a solid thump
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dropping items on the floor | neutral | Merely describes the acoustic reality of a heavy box, rock, or furniture hitting a surface. |
| Sitting down | slightly negative | Implies the person gave up all their body weight to gravity at once, which often signals extreme exhaustion or a lack of graceful manners. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どん どん / similar | Used for general loud impacts, hitting a wall, or explosive booms. | While 'don' can be any loud impact, 'dosun' specifically emphasizes heavy, physical mass dropping downwards. | 壁をドンと叩く |
すとん すとん / similar | Used when something drops straight down lightly, smoothly, and without much resistance. | 'Suton' feels light and effortless; 'dosun' indicates a heavy, forceful, and dull impact. | 椅子にストンと座る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'dosun' when a light object like a pen or coin drops.
Only use it for massive items. For light objects, 'poton' or 'koton' are much more natural.
Using 'dosun' for a sharp, echoing bang like a firework.
'Dosun' refers to a dull, physical weight impact. For an airborne explosion, use 'don' or 'baan'.
Examples
Examples
重い段ボール箱が床にドスンと落ちた。
おもいだんぼーるばこがゆかにドスンとおちた。
The heavy cardboard box fell to the floor with a thud.
LiteralDescribes the realistic sound effect of a large, heavy object hitting a solid surface.
彼は疲れ切った様子でソファにドスンと座った。
かれはつかれきったようすでそふぁにドスンとすわった。
He sat down heavily on the sofa, looking completely exhausted.
LiteralThis action of surrendering all body weight indicates profound exhaustion.
上の階からドスンという大きな音が聞こえた。
うえのかいからドスンというおおきなおとがきこえた。
I heard a loud thudding sound from the floor above.
LiteralAs a noun phrase, describing a mysterious heavy thud traveling through a building.
暗闇の中で壁にドスンとぶつかってしまった。
くらやみのなかでかべにドスンとぶつかってしまった。
I collided with the wall with a heavy thump in the dark.
LiteralUsed with the verb for collides, emphasizing a full-body impact.
大きな岩が地面にドスンと転がり落ちた。
おおきないわがじめんにドスンところがりおちた。
A large rock tumbled down and landed on the ground with a heavy thud.
LiteralHighlights the massive weight of the object in a natural environment.
Similar Words
どん
don
どん (don) describes a heavy thud or loud boom, and is often used figuratively to mean landing 'exactly' on target or adopting a bold, steady attitude. Used more broadly for impacts or explosions, without necessarily implying a heavy object falling.
すとん
suton
Describes a light object dropping smoothly with a soft thump, a straight silhouette, or something suddenly making sense.
ズドン
zudon
ズドン (zudon) describes a sudden, loud explosive sound like a gunshot, or the heavy thud of a large object falling.
ゴツン
gotsun
ゴツン describes the solid, dull thud of two hard objects striking each other, like bumping one's head.
Questions
Can I use 'dosun' when my phone falls on the floor?
No. A phone is too light to make a 'dosun' sound. It would be better described as 'gatsun' (hard impact) or 'koton' (clattering).
What is the difference between 'dosun' and 'don'?
'Don' is a broader term for a bang or thump, often resonant. 'Dosun' specifically carries the nuance of heavy weight and mass falling downwards.
Does it sound polite to describe someone sitting with 'dosun'?
Not really. 'Dosun to suwaru' suggests the person threw their weight into the chair without any grace, usually because they are completely exhausted or behaving rudely.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2003480
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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