Entry
がたん
gatan
A word describing the heavy sound of an object bumping, a mechanical jolt, or a sudden sharp decline.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Gatan is used to express a heavy, jarring sound when an object falls, bumps, or shifts abruptly, such as a sudden mechanical jolt or a moving train. Figuratively, it is also used to describe a sudden, sharp decline in performance, grades, or sales figures.
- Heavy bump or crash
- Mechanical jolt
- Sudden sharp decline
Sense Map
Physical bumps and jolts
Describes the sound of a heavy object dropping or bumping, or a sudden machine jolt.
ロボットがガタンと止まる。
Sharp decline
Describes a state where grades, performance, or health drop abruptly and severely.
成績がガタンと落ちた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ガタンと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action (like falling, stopping, or shaking) happening with a heavy jolt or sharp drop.
ガタンという + noun
Used to modify a noun, typically directly referring to the heavy bumping sound itself, such as 'a clanking noise'.
ガタンガタンと + verb
A reduplicated form showing that the heavy bumping or shaking happens repeatedly and continuously, like a moving train.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ガタンと落ちる
fall with a bump / drop sharply
ガタンと揺れる
shake with a jolt
ガタンという音
a heavy bumping sound
ガタンと止まる
stop with a sudden jolt
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical jolt or machine shake. | neutral | Very commonly used when dropping heavy boxes or when a vehicle jerks suddenly. |
| Drastic decline. | negative | Highlights the sudden and severe nature of a fall, such as grades or motivation collapsing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばたん ばたん / similar | Used for the sound of a flat object slamming shut, such as a door. | Gatan focuses more on heavy jolts, shifting weight, or machinery, rather than flat objects slamming like batan. | ドアがバタンと閉まる。 |
がしゃん がしゃん / similar | Used for crashing and shattering sounds, typically involving glass or metal. | Gatan represents a blunt, heavy bump or jolt, and lacks the shattering or metallic nuance of gashan. | コップがガシャンと割れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using gatan to describe the sound of a glass window shattering.
Gatan is for blunt, heavy jolts or bumps. For shattering glass, you should use gashan or gachan.
Using gatan to describe a door slamming shut in the wind.
A flat object like a door slamming shut is better described with batan.
Examples
Examples
地震で棚の本がガタンと落ちた。
じしんでたなのほんがガタンとおちた。
The books on the shelf fell with a heavy bump due to the earthquake.
LiteralDescribes the heavy, sudden sound of a group of books falling.
電車がガタンと揺れて止まった。
でんしゃがガタンとゆれてとまった。
The train shook with a jolt and stopped.
LiteralDescribes the mechanical jolt felt when a train suddenly stops.
機械からガタンという鈍い音がした。
きかいからガタンというにぶいおとがした。
A blunt bumping noise came from the machine.
LiteralFocuses on the heavy sound produced by machinery, often indicating a shift in gears or a malfunction.
今月は店の売り上げがガタンと減った。
こんげつはみせのうりあげがガタンとへった。
The store's sales dropped sharply this month.
FigurativeA figurative use indicating a sudden and severe drop in numbers or volume.
体調を崩して、成績がガタンと落ちた。
たいちょうをくずして、せいせきがガタンとおちた。
My health deteriorated, and my grades dropped sharply.
FigurativeShows how performance or achievement (like grades) collapsed drastically over a short period.
Similar Words
バタン
batan
A loud, heavy sound of impact, such as a door slamming or someone falling flat. Both are loud sounds, but batan is for flat objects slamming shut (like a door).
ガシャン
gashan
The loud, sharp sound of hard objects like glass, ceramics, or metal shattering or colliding. Used for shattering metal or glass, whereas gatan is a blunt bump without a shattering sound.
Questions
Can I use gatan when I trip and fall?
If you fall heavily against something and make a loud bumping machine-like sound, perhaps, but words like batan or dotan are much more natural for human bodies falling.
What is the difference between gatan and gatangatan?
Gatan describes a single jolt or bump. Gatangatan describes a continuous, repeating bumping sound, most commonly associated with riding a moving train.
Is 'gatan to ochiru' only for physical objects falling?
No, this phrase is very commonly used for abstract concepts. You can use it to say your grades, profits, motivation, or physical stamina dropped suddenly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2101860
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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