Entry
どたり
dotari
Describes the heavy, dull impact or sound of a massive object or a person collapsing helplessly to the ground.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word that depicts a heavy mass falling or a person collapsing abruptly as dead weight. It carries a strong nuance of physical heaviness, a dull thud, and a complete lack of resistance or bodily tension upon impact.
- A heavy object falling
- A person collapsing
Sense Map
Falling Heavy Objects
Used when a large, dense, or heavy item drops to the floor or ground, producing a dull, heavy thud.
重い荷物をどたりと落とす。
Collapsing Heavily
Used when a person or animal loses consciousness or physical strength, falling down helplessly like a sack of potatoes.
ベッドにどたりと倒れ込む。
Usage Note
How to Use
どたりと + verb
The standard adverbial usage, most often paired with verbs indicating falling (落ちる) or collapsing (倒れる).
どたり + verb
A slightly more casual adverbial form that omits the 'to' particle, meaning exactly the same thing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
どたりと落ちる
to fall with a heavy thud
どたりと倒れる
to collapse heavily
どたりと座り込む
to plop down heavily (from exhaustion)
どたりと落とす
to drop something with a thud
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy objects falling | neutral | Focuses on the dullness of the sound and the sheer weight of the object, implying it lands heavily without bouncing or shattering. |
| People collapsing | negative | Often implies severe exhaustion, fainting, or becoming entirely limp, portraying the body momentarily as a lifeless mass. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どかり どかり / nearby | Used when heavily sitting down or placing a heavy object so it occupies a space firmly. | "Dokari" focuses on the heavy settling or occupying of space (like sinking deeply into a sofa), while "dotari" emphasizes losing strength and falling to the ground as a dead weight. | ソファにどかりと座る。 |
ばったり ばったり / nearby | Used when someone falls flat forward suddenly or unexpectedly encounters another person. | "Battari" highlights the sudden, flat nature of the collapse or encounter, whereas "dotari" focuses on the heavy, sluggish mass of the impact. | ばったりと倒れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using "dotari" to describe dropping a book, pen, or smartphone.
"Dotari" is exclusively for very heavy, substantial masses like a human body, a large log, or a sandbag.
Using it for someone intentionally and energetically jumping down to the floor.
"Dotari" implies a lack of control, exhaustion, or dropping dead weight. An energetic heavy landing by choice would be better described as "dosun" (ドスン).
Examples
Examples
太郎は重い米俵を床にどたりと下ろした。
たろうはおもいこめだわらをゆかにどたりとおろした。
Taro dropped the heavy rice bag onto the floor with a thud.
VisualPortrays a heavy load being dropped without much resistance.
マラソンを完走した彼は、芝生の上にどたりと倒れ込んだ。
まらそんをかんそうしたかれは、しばふのうえにどたりとたおれこんだ。
Having finished the marathon, he collapsed heavily onto the grass.
LiteralAn exhausted body falling like dead weight.
老木が強風で折れ、地面にどたりと落ちた。
ろうぼくがきょうふうでおれ、じめんにどたりとおちた。
The old tree snapped in the strong wind and fell heavily to the ground.
VisualDescribes a massive, dense object hitting the ground.
運送屋さんは、大きな段ボール箱を玄関にどたりと置いた。
うんそうやさんは、おおきなだんぼーるばこをげんかんにどたりとおいた。
The delivery person placed the large cardboard box at the entrance with a heavy thud.
Visual'Dotari' highlights the heavy weight of the placed item.
足を滑らせて、階段の下にどたりと尻もちをついた。
あしをすべらせて、かいだんのしたにどたりとしりもちをついた。
I slipped and fell heavily on my bottom at the foot of the stairs.
LiteralShows the sudden fall of one's entire body weight onto a hard surface.
Similar Words
どかり
dokari
Focuses on a heavy object being placed or someone sitting down firmly.
Questions
Can I use 'dotari' for a dropping smartphone?
No. A smartphone is much too light. Use 'dotari' for items with significant mass like a heavy suitcase, a large sack, or a person collapsing.
How is 'dotari' different from 'dotan' (ドタン)?
'Dotan' describes a loud, sharp banging or crashing sound. 'Dotari' emphasizes the dull, heavy thud of a lifeless weight settling onto a surface.
Does 'dotari' only apply to people fainting?
No, it also applies directly to any heavy, dense object (like large rocks, tree trunks, or heavy bags) that falls with a dull, heavy thud.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632260
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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