Entry
がん
gan
ガン (gan) describes a heavy, solid impact sound or doing something severely, such as hitting or scolding.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word represents the forceful sound and sensation of hard objects colliding, like a loud thud or bang. It is also used metaphorically to describe severe or blunt actions, such as scolding someone harshly or hitting something with strong force.
- heavy physical impact
- severe scolding or hitting
Sense Map
Heavy Impact (Sound & Sensation)
Describes the loud, solid noise and strong force of hard objects hitting each other, such as a thud, bang, or crash.
頭をガンと打つ
Severe Action
Used to emphasize that an action, especially scolding, is done very severely, firmly, or without holding back.
ガンと叱る
Usage Note
How to Use
ガンと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like hitting or scolding) occurs with a heavy thud or severe intensity.
ガン + verb
A more casual or concise adverbial form, though adding 'と' is much more common for this specific word.
How to Use
Common Phrases
頭をガンと打つ
to hit one's head hard
ガンと叱られる
to be scolded severely
ドアをガンと閉める
to shut the door with a bang
机をガンと叩く
to bang on the desk
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical collisions | neutral/painful | Indicates a painful or hard collision involving solid objects, such as metal, wood, or bone. |
| Scolding or reprimanding | severe | Portrays a stern and uncompromising attitude, meaning the person is reprimanded strongly. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごつん ごつん / similar | Use to emphasize the hard, bony, or solid nature of a collision, like knocking a head or a rock. | ゴツン feels a bit more concentrated on a specific hard point (like a skull or a fist), whereas ガン is a broader heavy, forceful impact. | 頭をゴツンと打つ |
どかん どかん / similar | Use for explosive, booming, or massive impacts. | ドカン implies a larger scale, like an explosion or a huge crash, while ガン is a sharp, blunt, heavy strike. | ドカンと爆発する |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for soft or light sounds.
ガン requires a hard, solid, heavy impact; for light taps, use トントン (tonton) or コンコン (konkon).
Confusing it with the emotion of shock.
While ガン is a physical impact, the elongated ガーン (gān) is used for psychological shock or devastation.
Examples
Examples
棚の角に頭をガンとぶつけてしまった。
たなのかどにあたまをガンとぶつけてしまった。
I accidentally hit my head hard against the corner of the shelf.
LiteralDescribes a painful physical collision with a solid object.
約束を破って、母にガンと叱られた。
やくそくをやぶって、ははにガンとしかられた。
I was severely scolded by my mother for breaking my promise.
FigurativeIndicates a strict reprimand with no leniency.
彼は怒ってドアをガンと閉めた。
かれはおこってドアをガンとしめた。
He got angry and shut the door with a loud bang.
LiteralFocuses on the loud impact sound caused by rough force.
机をガンと叩いて、きっぱりと断った。
つくえをガンとたたいて、きっぱりとことわった。
He banged the desk hard and refused flatly.
LiteralShows a physical action that accompanies strong emotion or determination.
石が飛んできて、窓ガラスにガンと当たった。
いしがとんできて、まどガラスにガンとあたった。
A stone flew and hit the window glass with a loud bang.
LiteralDescribes the instantaneous sound of a hard object striking a surface.
Similar Words
ゴツン
gotsun
ゴツン describes the solid, dull thud of two hard objects striking each other, like bumping one's head. Focuses on a hard impact at a single point.
ドカン
dokan
Dokan represents the loud bang of a massive explosion or a heavy, forceful impact. Used for massive explosions or large-scale impacts.
Questions
Can I use ガン for a loud explosion?
For a booming explosion, words like ドカン (dokan) or ドーン (dōn) are better. ガン is more for a blunt, hard strike or collision.
Is ガン related to the Japanese word for cancer?
They sound the same (both are pronounced 'gan'), but the onomatopoeia ガン refers to an impact sound, while cancer is written as 癌.
What is the difference between ガン and ガーン?
ガン is a quick, heavy physical impact or severe action. ガーン (with an elongated vowel) represents the lingering sound of a bell and is heavily used in manga to express psychological shock.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2107080
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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