Entry
ドスンドスン
dosundosun
Represents the repetitive, heavy sound of large footsteps or objects thudding against the floor.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A Japanese sound word (giongo) that describes a loud, heavy, and repetitive thumping or thudding noise. It is most commonly used to depict the heavy footsteps of a large person, an animal like an elephant, or someone stomping angrily.
- Heavy and loud footsteps
- Repeated dropping of heavy objects
Sense Map
Heavy footsteps
Describes the sound of large, forceful footsteps, such as those of a giant animal or someone stomping around.
象がドスンドスン歩く。
Repeated impacts
Describes the sound of heavy objects being dropped or placed repeatedly onto a surface.
荷物をドスンドスンと下ろす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ドスンドスンと + verb
Used with the particle 'to' to modify verbs related to walking, stepping, or echoing.
ドスンドスン + verb
A more casual and direct form without the particle 'to'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドスンドスンと歩く
to walk with heavy footsteps
足音がドスンドスンと響く
footsteps echoing with a heavy thud
ドスンドスンと階段を上る
to stomp up the stairs
床をドスンドスンと踏む
to stomp heavily on the floor
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Giant animals or large people walking. | Neutral | Simply describes the physical size and weight without any moral judgment. |
| Someone walking inside a house. | Negative | Implies the person is walking roughly, perhaps out of anger, and is disturbing others. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どしん どしん / similar | When something heavy falls or hits with a single thud. | Does not describe continuous or repetitive stepping sounds. | ドシンと倒れる |
どかどか どかどか / similar | When multiple people enter roughly or noisily. | Focuses on the noise of a crowd, rather than the heavy weight of a single entity. | どかどかと部屋に入る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for the light or quick footsteps of a cat or small dog.
Use a word like patapata. Dosundosun always indicates a very heavy and loud impact.
Using it when a single large box falls to the ground.
Use doshin instead. Dosundosun requires a repetition of the sound.
Examples
Examples
二階からドスンドスンと重い足音が聞こえる。
にかいからドスンドスンとおもいあしおとがきこえる。
I can hear heavy footsteps thudding from the second floor.
LiteralA classic usage indicating weight and noise coming from above.
象がドスンドスンと歩いている。
ぞうがドスンドスンとあるいている。
The elephant is walking with heavy thuds.
LiteralUsed for giant animals.
彼は怒って、ドスンドスンと階段を上がっていった。
かれはおこって、ドスンドスンとかいだんをあがっていった。
He got angry and stomped heavily up the stairs.
VisualShows anger reflected in a rough, stomping walk.
作業員が大きな荷物をドスンドスンとトラックに積んでいる。
さぎょういんがおおきなにもつをドスンドスンとトラックにつんでいる。
The workers are loading large packages onto the truck with repeated heavy thuds.
LiteralDescribes heavy objects being dropped or placed repeatedly.
隣の部屋でドスンドスンと跳ねる音がする。
となりのへやでドスンドスンとはねるおとがする。
There is a sound of someone jumping with heavy thuds in the next room.
LiteralIndicates physical activity causing heavy vibrations.
Similar Words
ドシン
doshin
ドシン (doshin) represents the deep, heavy thud made when a massive object falls, lands, or collides with something. Used for a single heavy thud, without repetition.
どかどか
dokadoka
A mimetic word for the loud, heavy sound of footsteps or a crowd of people barging in noisily. Describes the noisy and rough footsteps of a crowd of people.
バタン
batan
A loud, heavy sound of impact, such as a door slamming or someone falling flat.
Questions
Is dosundosun only used for footsteps?
Mostly yes, but it can also be used for heavy objects being dropped repeatedly.
What is the difference between dosundosun and doshin?
Doshin is for a single heavy impact, while dosundosun is used when the impacts happen repeatedly.
Can I use this word for a child running?
Only if the child is intentionally stomping very hard. For normal running, use batabata or tatata.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2523920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ばちん (bachin)
- Next entry
- どすっと (dosutto)