Entry
ガシャン
gashan
The loud, sharp sound of hard objects like glass, ceramics, or metal shattering or colliding.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ガシャン (gashan) is an onomatopoeia that mimics the loud, heavy sound of a severe impact or destruction. It is highly specific to hard, rigid materials such as glass, porcelain, and metal. The voiced 'ga' sound conveys a heavy, forceful, and destructive tone, contrasting with lighter sounds that start with 'ka'.
- For fragile items (glass, ceramics) shattering into pieces.
- For heavy metal objects colliding or crashing.
Sense Map
Glass & Ceramics Breaking
Used when breakable items shatter forcefully, emphasizing the loud, chaotic noise of the destruction.
グラスがガシャンと割れる。
Metal Collision
Used when heavy metal items fall, or vehicles crash into each other, emphasizing a dangerous and heavy impact.
車がガシャンとぶつかる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ガシャンと + verb (割れる/落ちる/ぶつかる)
Acts as an adverb modifying the action verb (like breaking, falling, colliding), meaning 'with a crash' or 'with a smash'.
ガシャンという + noun (音/衝撃)
Acts as a modifier for nouns (usually 'sound' or 'impact'), meaning 'a crashing noise'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
窓ガラスがガシャンと割れる
window glass shatters loudly
皿をガシャンと落とす
drop a plate with a crash
車がガシャンとぶつかる
cars collide with a crash
ガシャンという音がする
there is a loud crashing sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Glass/Ceramics Breaking | Shocking/Negative | Highlights complete destruction where the object breaks into many sharp fragments. |
| Vehicular/Metal Collision | Dangerous/Heavy | Often points to a serious traffic accident or the alarming sound of industrial metal equipment collapsing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がちゃん がちゃん / similar | Used for lighter metallic clashing or mechanical clicks, such as turning a door lock, a vending machine mechanism, or putting down an old telephone receiver. | Not as heavy or destructive as ガシャン (gashan). Things that go ガチャン (gachan) usually remain intact and unbroken. | ドアをガチャンと閉める。 |
がたん がたん / similar | Used for the sound of a heavy object falling, shifting, or jolting, like a train shaking on tracks or heavy furniture dropping on the floor. | Does not imply the object shattered into pieces like ガシャン (gashan) does. | 列車がガタンと揺れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a wooden branch snapping or a tree falling.
Use バキッ (baki) for snapping wood. ガシャン (gashan) is strictly for glass, ceramics, and metal.
Using it for a soft object (like a pillow or human body) falling to the ground.
Use ドスン (dosun) or バサッ (basa). ガシャン (gashan) requires hard, rigid materials to make sense.
Examples
Examples
泥棒が窓ガラスをガシャンと割って侵入した。
どろぼうがまどがらすをガシャンとわってしんにゅうした。
The thief broke the window glass with a loud crash and broke in.
VisualShows the shattering of a fragile glass object into pieces.
手が滑って、お気に入りの花瓶をガシャンと落としてしまった。
てがすべって、おきにいりのかびんをガシャンとおとしてしまった。
My hand slipped and I dropped my favorite vase with a smash.
VisualDescribes the typical sound of ceramics shattering upon hitting the floor.
交差点で二台の車がガシャンとぶつかった。
こうさてんでにだいのくるまがガシャンとぶつかった。
Two cars collided with a crash at the intersection.
VisualFocuses on the heavy collision of metal objects.
台所から突然、ガシャンという大きな音が聞こえた。
だいどころからとつぜん、ガシャンというおおきなおとがきこえた。
Suddenly, a loud crashing sound was heard from the kitchen.
LiteralDescribes the origin of the sound modifying a noun (crashing sound).
鉄パイプが崩れて、ガシャーンと大きな音を立てた。
てつぱいぷがくずれて、ガシャーンとおおきなおとをたてた。
The iron pipes collapsed, making a loud metallic crash.
VisualUses the extended variant (gashaan) for a dramatic, echoing crash of metal.
Similar Words
ガチャン
gachan
A sound word describing a loud, sharp impact such as a door slamming shut or a dish breaking. Lighter, for metal or machinery engaging (e.g. locking a door).
がたん
gatan
A word describing the heavy sound of an object bumping, a mechanical jolt, or a sudden sharp decline. Heavy object falling or jolting without shattering into pieces.
バタン
batan
A loud, heavy sound of impact, such as a door slamming or someone falling flat.
Questions
Can I use this word for a wooden chair breaking?
No. ガシャン (gashan) specifically mimics the acoustic properties of glass, ceramics, or metal. If a wooden chair breaks, you should use バキッ (baki).
What's the main difference between ガシャン (gashan) and ガチャン (gachan)?
ガシャン suggests heavy, chaotic destruction. ガチャン is a lighter, controlled metallic click, like engaging a lock, shifting gears, or a mechanism working properly.
Does ガシャン (gashan) always mean something was destroyed?
Usually yes, especially for glass or ceramics. With heavy metal, it implies an intense, heavy impact (like cars colliding) which usually involves damage, but the metal itself might not necessarily be in pieces.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2002880
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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