Entry
どたんばたん
dotanbatan
Describes loud, heavy banging noises, typically from objects falling, chaotic movement, or physical struggles.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express a series of loud, heavy noises created when large objects are moved, dropped, or when people thrash around in a physical fight. It highlights the sense of chaos and forceful physical impact.
- Sound of heavy objects moving or falling
- Sound of physical struggle or thrashing
Sense Map
Heavy Objects or Loud Footsteps
Used for the loud noise resulting from heavy objects dropping or extremely rough and noisy footsteps.
階段をどたんばたん上がる
Physical Struggle and Brawling
Used to describe the chaotic noise of physical struggle, wrestling, or violently thrashing about.
どたんばたん暴れる
Usage Note
How to Use
どたんばたんと + verb
The most common pattern for describing how an action (like running, falling, or moving) is done with loud banging noises.
どたんばたん + verb
A variant without the 'to' particle, often used in casual speech for a more direct effect.
どたんばたん（と）する
Used as a verb to state that a place or situation is filled with loud, physical banging noises.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どたんばたんと倒れる
fall down with a loud bang
どたんばたん暴れる
thrash around noisily
どたんばたんと音がする
a loud banging noise is heard
どたんばたんと歩く
walk with heavy, loud footsteps
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Moving heavy objects | neutral to negative | Often used to describe the noisy process of someone cleaning or moving furniture clumsily. |
| Physical brawls or thrashing | negative | Captures the intensity and chaos of a physical struggle where bodies or objects are hitting surfaces. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どたばた どたばた / similar | Use when the focus is on panic, rushing, or people running around hurriedly. | Not as heavy as dotanbatan; focuses more on hurried footsteps or mental panic rather than the physical banging of heavy objects. | ドタバタと走り回る |
どんどん どんどん / similar | Use for heavy, rhythmic beating or knocking sounds, like banging loudly on a door or beating a drum. | Dondon is rhythmic and intentional, whereas dotanbatan is chaotic and irregular. | ドアをどんどんと叩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for a light tap or knock on a door.
Use tonton for light knocks. Dotanbatan is strictly for chaotic, heavy banging.
Using it to describe mental panic without any physical noise.
Use panikku or dotabata for panic. Dotanbatan requires actual loud physical noises.
Examples
Examples
2階で子供たちがどたんばたんと走り回っている。
2階(かい)で子供(こども)たちがどたんばたんと走(はし)り回(まわ)っている。
The children are running around noisily on the second floor.
VisualDescribes the loud, heavy, and irregular footsteps of the children.
隣の部屋からどたんばたんという激しい音が聞こえた。
隣(となり)の部屋(へや)からどたんばたんという激(はげ)しい音(おと)が聞(き)こえた。
I heard a loud banging noise coming from the next room.
LiteralHighlights a clear, disruptive physical banging noise.
泥棒を捕まえようとして、暗闇の中でどたんばたんと揉み合いになった。
泥棒(どろぼう)を捕(つか)まえようとして、暗闇(くらやみ)の中(なか)でどたんばたんと揉(も)み合(あ)いになった。
Trying to catch the thief, there was a noisy struggle in the dark.
VisualShows the chaotic noise when people are physically wrestling.
重い家具をどたんばたんと動かして、部屋の模様替えをした。
重(おも)い家具(かぐ)をどたんばたんと動(うご)かして、部屋(へや)の模様替(もようが)えをした。
I rearranged the room by moving heavy furniture around noisily.
LiteralExpresses the scraping and banging sounds of heavy objects being moved.
酔っ払いがどたんばたんと倒れ込んだ。
酔(よ)っ払(ぱら)いがどたんばたんと倒(たお)れ込(こ)んだ。
The drunkard collapsed heavily with a loud bang.
VisualDescribes a body falling to the floor without control.
Similar Words
ドタバタ
dotabata
Describes the loud noise of heavy footsteps running around, or a state of frantic, chaotic panic. Also noisy, but dotabata implies panic or running around hurriedly, rather than the heavy impact of dotanbatan.
どんどん
dondon
どんどん describes something progressing very quickly, someone acting without hesitation, or the sound of repeated loud banging. A loud knocking or beating sound. Unlike the chaotic dotanbatan, dondon is usually rhythmic and intentional.
Questions
Can I use this word for a loud knocking on a door?
No. For a door knock, use dondon (loud knock) or tonton (light knock). This word is too chaotic and implies objects falling or people fighting.
What is the difference between this word and dotabata?
Both relate to noise, but dotabata highlights panic or hurried movement, while this word emphasizes the heaviness of physical impact and chaotic banging.
Is this word only used for people?
No. It is frequently used when heavy objects, like large furniture, are moved roughly and produce loud banging noises.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2680560
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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