Entry
ドタッ
dota
A heavy, dull thud sound made when a large object is dropped or someone collapses suddenly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ドタッ describes a single, heavy, and dull sound produced when something substantial hits a surface. It is often used to depict a heavy object like a large box falling to the floor, or a person suddenly collapsing onto a bed due to extreme exhaustion.
- Heavy object falling
- Person collapsing
Sense Map
Heavy object dropping
Used when a large, heavy object falls and hits a surface with a dull thud.
重い荷物をドタッと床に置いた。
Person collapsing
Describes the sound or manner of a person falling heavily to the ground due to exhaustion or fainting.
疲労でベッドにドタッと倒れ込んだ。
Usage Note
How to Use
ドタッと + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying verbs related to falling, dropping, or placing something heavily, such as 倒れる (collapse) or 置く (put down).
ドタッ + と + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ドタッと倒れる
to collapse with a thud
ドタッと座る
to sit down heavily
ドタッと落ちる
to fall with a thump
ドタッと置く
to place down heavily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dropping luggage | neutral | Shows the object is heavy and perhaps handled with a lack of care or effort to place it gently. |
| Collapsing from exhaustion | negative | Emphasizes extreme fatigue and complete loss of physical strength to hold oneself upright. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どすっと どすっと / similar | Use when the impact is heavy but sounds slightly more muffled or sinking into a soft surface. | Does not have the exact same hard, flat impact sound as ドタッ, focusing more on a deep sinking feeling. | ソファにどすっと座る。 |
どたん どたん / similar | Use for a louder, more jarring impact sound, often involving a hard surface or sudden loud noise like a door slamming. | Has a sharper and louder metallic or hard wooden resonance compared to the duller thud of ドタッ. | ドアがドタンと閉まる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for small or light objects falling.
ドタッ implies significant weight. For light objects, use words like ポトッ or コロッ.
Using it for continuous sounds.
It describes a single impact. For repeated heavy footsteps, use ドタバタ or ズシズシ.
Examples
Examples
彼は疲労のあまり、ベッドにドタッと倒れ込んだ。
かれはひろうのあまり、ベッドにドタッとたおれこんだ。
He collapsed heavily onto the bed from extreme exhaustion.
VisualDescribes someone losing all their strength and falling directly onto the bed.
重い段ボール箱を床にドタッと落としてしまった。
おもいだんボールばこをゆかにドタッとおとしてしまった。
I accidentally dropped the heavy cardboard box on the floor with a thud.
LiteralShows the sound of a heavy, unyielding object hitting the ground.
ため息をつきながら、ソファにドタッと座った。
ためいきをつきながら、ソファにドタッとすわった。
With a sigh, he sat down heavily on the sofa.
VisualDepicts someone sitting down roughly due to fatigue.
分厚い辞書が棚からドタッと落ちてきた。
ぶあついじしょがたなからドタッとおちてきた。
The thick dictionary fell from the shelf with a heavy thump.
LiteralEmphasizes that the dictionary is so heavy that the sound is a thud rather than a rustle.
レスラーはマットの上にドタッと倒れた。
レスラーはマットのうえにドタッとたおれた。
The wrestler fell to the mat with a thud.
VisualDescribes a large body falling and hitting the ground.
Similar Words
どすっと
dosutto
The dull, heavy sound of a solid object striking a surface or falling. More emphasis on a muffled sinking feeling rather than a flat, hard thud.
ドタン
dotan
Mimics the heavy, sudden sound of a large object or person hitting the floor with a thud. A louder, more jarring impact sound (e.g., slamming a door).
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.
Questions
Can I use ドタッ for the sound of a book dropping?
If it is a very thick, heavy dictionary, yes. However, for an average book, words like バサッ or パタン are much more natural.
Is ドタッ used for footsteps?
Not usually for a single footstep. For noisy, heavy walking, the related word ドタバタ is used instead.
Does ドタッ always imply a loud noise?
It implies a heavy, dull sound, but not necessarily a piercingly loud noise. The focus is on the mass of the object and the dull nature of the thump.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869537
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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