Entry
がばっと
gabatto
Describes a sudden, highly energetic, and forceful physical action.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word used to describe an action that occurs suddenly with great force or large physical scale. It is commonly used for dynamic movements such as springing vigorously out of bed, or grabbing a large handful of something all at once.
- Springing up or moving with sudden vigor
- Grabbing or taking forcefully
Sense Map
Springing Up
Suddenly waking up or rising to one's feet with immense energy and force.
ベッドからがばっと起き上がる。
Grabbing Action
Taking, seizing, or embracing something forcefully or in a large quantity at once.
札束をがばっとつかむ。
Usage Note
How to Use
がばっと + verb
Functions as an adverb before verbs of physical movement to emphasize how sudden and vigorous the action is.
がばっと + physical action
How to Use
Common Phrases
がばっと起き上がる
to spring up vigorously
がばっとつかむ
to grab forcefully
がばっと抱きつく
to throw oneself into an embrace
がばっと顔を上げる
to jerk one's head up suddenly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waking up | neutral | Very frequently paired with 起き上がる (to get up) when someone realizes they are late or is startled awake. |
| Grabbing things | neutral | Indicates that the subject is taking a large amount of items at once with their hands. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐいっと ぐいっと / similar | Use 'guitto' for pulling, pushing, or downing a drink forcefully in one go. | Unlike 'gabatto' which often involves jumping up or scooping something large, 'guitto' focuses on a concentrated, forceful tug or push. | ぐいっと引っ張る。 |
ぱっと ぱっと / contrast | Use 'patto' for instantaneous, swift changes or movements, like a flash of light. | Lacks the nuance of 'rough physical force or large mass' that 'gabatto' carries. | パッと目が覚める。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for sudden rain (e.g., がばっと雨が降る).
Use words like 'suddenly' (突然). 'Gabatto' is for animate, forceful physical actions.
Assuming it means a gentle, swift motion.
It always carries a nuance of roughness, force, or a large physical sweep. It is not suitable for light movements.
Examples
Examples
寝坊したことに気づき、ベッドからがばっと起き上がった。
ねぼうした こと に きづき、 ベッド から がばっと おきあがった。
Realizing I overslept, I sprang out of bed suddenly.
LiteralThis is the most typical use of 'gabatto', showing someone jumping up in panic or surprise.
泥棒は机の上の現金をがばっとつかんで逃げた。
どろぼう は つくえ の うえ の げんきん を がばっと つかんで にげた。
The thief forcefully grabbed the cash on the desk and ran away.
LiteralShows the action of grabbing a large amount of something roughly and all at once.
暑かったので、夜中にがばっと布団をはいだ。
あつかった ので、 よなか に がばっと ふとん を はいだ。
Because it was hot, I forcefully threw off the blanket in the middle of the night.
VisualFocuses on the large, vigorous motion of throwing or pushing something aside.
子供は嬉しそうに母親にがばっと抱きついた。
こども は うれしそう に ははおや に がばっと だきついた。
The child happily threw themselves into their mother's arms.
LiteralIndicates throwing one's whole body enthusiastically towards someone else.
下を向いていた彼が、がばっと顔を上げた。
した を むいていた かれ が、 がばっと かお を あげた。
He, who had been looking down, jerked his head up suddenly.
VisualDescribes a sudden, rough change of direction performed with vigor.
Similar Words
ぐいっと
guitto
Doing something in a single, uninterrupted, forceful motion, such as downing a drink or yanking an object. Also forceful, but more for a strong pull or push in one direction.
パッと
patto
Describes an action or change that occurs instantly, or something lacking a striking impression. A sudden, quick movement but lacks the rough physical force of gabatto.
ばっと
batto
ばっと (batto) describes a physical movement or the spreading of something that happens suddenly, quickly, and unexpectedly.
Questions
Can I use 'gabatto' for a sudden change of mind?
No. 'Gabatto' refers to physical, forceful actions. For abstract sudden changes, use words meaning 'suddenly' or 'completely'.
Can 'gabatto' be used for quick and light movements?
No, this word always emphasizes heavy force, vigor, and the large scale of the movement, not just speed.
Is this word formal?
It is neutral to informal. It is highly descriptive and widely used in daily conversation and literature.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2101930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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