Entry
ぎいとん
giiton
A drawn-out squeak or creak followed immediately by a dull thump.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A composite sound word representing a two-stage action: a prolonged squeaking, creaking, or grating sound ('gii') abruptly finalized by a heavy, dull thump or thud ('ton').
- Creak and thump
Sense Map
Doors and gates
The creaking of hinges or heavy wood ending with the door shutting tight or hitting a frame.
木のドアがぎいとん閉まった。
Heavy furniture
The creaking of wooden furniture under weight, followed by it bumping into something or settling down.
椅子がぎいとんと壁にぶつかった。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぎいとんと + verb
The standard way to describe the manner in which a heavy object moves and then stops with an impact.
ぎいとん + verb
A slightly more direct form without the quotation particle 'to'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぎいとん閉まる
shut with a squeak and a thump
ぎいとんと開く
open with a squeak and a bump
ぎいとん鳴る
make a creak-thump sound
ぎいとんと止まる
stop with a squeaking thud
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Old wooden doors | neutral | Perfectly captures the cinematic sound of an old, heavy door squeaking on its hinges and then closing tight. |
| Rocking or moving furniture | neutral | Describes a wooden chair leaning back, creaking, and then thumping against a wall. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎこぎこ ぎこぎこ / nearby | When describing continuous, slow, and grating friction or squeaking without a concluding thump. | Lacks the final impact or settling sound of ぎいとん. | ぎこぎこ音を立てる |
ことん ことん / nearby | When focusing solely on a single, light to medium clunk or thump of an object settling. | Does not include the preceding squeak or friction sound. | ことんと落ちる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぎいとん for a simple dropping sound.
It must include the friction or squeak ('gii') phase before the drop or impact ('ton').
Applying it to lightweight plastic or small metal items.
It is best suited for heavier, often wooden or stiff-hinged objects like large doors or chairs.
Examples
Examples
古い木のドアがぎいとん閉まった。
ふるいきのドアがぎいとんしまった。
The old wooden door shut with a squeak and a thud.
VisualDescribes the classic sound of a heavy old door closing.
椅子がぎいとんと壁にぶつかった。
いすがぎいとんとかべにぶつかった。
The chair squeaked and bumped into the wall with a thud.
VisualThe sound of a wooden chair flexing and then hitting a wall.
重い箱の蓋がぎいとん鳴った。
おもいはこのふたがぎいとんなった。
The lid of the heavy box made a squeak and a thump.
VisualFits heavy hinged objects like old chests.
風で雨戸がぎいとんと動いた。
かぜであまどがぎいとんとうごいた。
The wind made the wooden storm shutter squeak and thump.
VisualDescribes wood being pushed slowly but heavily by the wind.
床板がぎいとん沈み込んだ。
ゆかいたがぎいとんしずみこんだ。
The floorboard creaked and sank with a thud.
VisualThe sound of old flooring bending and then hitting the subfloor.
Similar Words
Questions
Does ぎいとん describe one sound or two?
It technically describes a continuous event featuring two distinct acoustic phases: a squeak followed by a thump.
Can I use this for a car braking?
Generally no. A car braking squeal is usually 'kikii', and a crash is 'gashan'. 'Giiton' implies slower, heavier, non-violent movements.
What is the difference between ぎいとん and ぎいぎい (giigii)?
'Giigii' is a continuous squeaking or creaking. 'Giiton' stops abruptly with a thump.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2611970
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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