Entry
どうどう
doudou
A heavy, roaring sound of rushing water, strong winds, or heavy footsteps, as well as the command 'whoa' to calm a horse.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Dōdō mimics loud, powerful, continuous roaring or rumbling sounds. It is most commonly used to describe the deafening rush of a large waterfall, a swollen river, or howling winds. It can also describe the heavy, thudding sound of large footsteps on the ground. Uniquely, it is also used as a vocal command (often written as ドードー) to calm down a horse.
- Roaring water or wind
- Heavy footsteps
- Calming a horse
Sense Map
Roaring Water & Wind
Describes the loud, powerful, and continuous roaring sound of nature, such as a massive waterfall, a fast-flowing river, or howling winds.
滝がどうどうと流れる
Heavy Footsteps
Describes the heavy, resounding thud of large or forceful footsteps striking the ground.
どうどうと足音を立てる
Calming a Horse
A vocal command used to calm or stop a horse, equivalent to 'whoa' or 'easy' in English.
馬にドードーと声をかける
Usage Note
How to Use
どうどうと + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like water flowing or wind blowing) occurs with a heavy, roaring sound.
ドードー (Interjection)
Used as a standalone exclamation to soothe or halt a horse.
How to Use
Common Phrases
滝がどうどうと流れる
waterfall flows with a roaring sound
風がどうどうと吹く
wind howls fiercely
どうどうと足音が響く
heavy footsteps echo loudly
馬をドードーとなだめる
calming a horse by saying 'whoa'
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water and Rivers | neutral to intimidating | Implies a large, unstoppable mass of water, often associated with nature's raw power. |
| Calming a horse | soothing | Used gently and repeatedly (ドードー) to calm an agitated animal. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
堂々 どうどう / similar | Use to describe someone acting confidently, proudly, or imposingly. | It sounds identical but has nothing to do with roaring water or footsteps; it is a regular adjective, not an onomatopoeia. | 堂々と歩く |
ざあざあ ざあざあ / nearby | Use for heavy rain or water pouring rapidly. | Dōdō implies a deeper, heavier, massive volume of water (like a waterfall), while zaazaa is the sound of heavy rain. | 雨がざあざあ降る |
どんどん どんどん / nearby | Use for continuous banging, knocking, or rapid steady progress. | While both can describe footsteps, dōdō emphasizes the heavy, resonant thud, whereas dondon emphasizes a rhythmic banging. | 太鼓をどんどん叩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Confusing it with 堂々 (confident/proud).
Context makes the difference clear: 堂々 describes an attitude or appearance, while どうどう describes a heavy sound.
Using it for normal rain.
Dōdō is too heavy and rumbling for rain; use ざあざあ for heavy rain instead.
Examples
Examples
滝がどうどうと音を立てて流れ落ちている。
たき が どうどう と おと を たてて ながれおちている。
The waterfall is roaring down loudly.
LiteralDescribes the deep roar of a large waterfall rushing down.
台風の風がどうどうと吹き荒れる。
たいふう の かぜ が どうどう と ふきあれる。
The typhoon winds are howling fiercely.
LiteralHighlights the continuous, powerful howling sound of strong winds.
二階からどうどうと重い足音が聞こえる。
にかい から どうどう と おもい あしおと が きこえる。
Heavy footsteps can be heard thudding from the second floor.
LiteralDōdō is used here for the sound of very heavy or large footsteps.
騎手は興奮した馬に「ドードー」と声をかけた。
きしゅ は こうふん した うま に ドードー と こえ を かけた。
The jockey called out "whoa" to the excited horse.
LiteralThis is the specific use of dōdō as a vocal command to calm a horse.
大雨で川がどうどうと流れる濁流になっている。
おおあめ で かわ が どうどう と ながれる だくりゅう に なっている。
Due to the heavy rain, the river has turned into a roaring muddy stream.
VisualDescribes a massive, intimidating volume of water moving together.
Similar Words
ざあざあ
zaazaa
Used for the sound of heavy rain or pouring water, contrasting with the heavier, deeper roar of dōdō.
ざあっ
zaa
The sound of a sudden, heavy downpour of rain or rushing water.
どたどた
dotadota
This word describes the loud, heavy, and ungraceful sound of footsteps.
ビュービュー
byuubyuu
The loud, howling sound of a fierce wind, or the sound of heavy wheezing.
ザーザー
zaazaa
The continuous sound of heavy rain pouring down, forcefully rushing water, or white noise from an electronic device.
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. Used for continuous knocking or rapid progress, rather than the deep, heavy thudding of dōdō.
Questions
Can dōdō describe the sound of an engine?
No, it is generally reserved for natural forces like water and wind, or heavy footsteps. Engines are better described with 'bo-bo' or 'gara-gara'.
Is dōdō the same as the word for 'magnificent' (堂々)?
They are exact homophones (pronounced the same way), but they are different words. The onomatopoeia mimics a roaring sound, while the adjective means confident or imposing.
Why do Japanese people say 'dōdō' to horses?
It is the traditional Japanese vocal command to soothe or halt a horse, much like 'whoa' or 'easy boy' in English.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632220
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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