Entry
ぎったんばっこん
gittanbakkon
A seesaw, or an alternating up-and-down movement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An informal children's word used to refer to a seesaw at a playground. It also acts as a mimetic word describing the rhythmic, alternating up-and-down motion and the bumping sounds associated with it.
- seesaw (playground equipment)
- up-and-down motion
Sense Map
Seesaw
Refers to the playground equipment itself or the act of playing on it.
公園でぎったんばっこんをして遊ぶ。
Up-and-down Motion
Describes something unsteady that tilts up and down like a seesaw.
板がぎったんばっこんする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぎったんばっこんをする
Means 'to play on the seesaw'.
ぎったんばっこんに乗る
Means 'to ride the seesaw', focusing on getting on the equipment.
ぎったんばっこんする
Used as a verb to describe an object tilting or wobbling up and down.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぎったんばっこんをして遊ぶ
to play on the seesaw
ぎったんばっこんに乗る
to ride the seesaw
公園のぎったんばっこん
the seesaw in the park
ぎったんばっこんする
to move up and down (like a seesaw)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Playing with toddlers | positive | Perfectly natural and endearing when parents use it to talk to young children at the park. |
| Describing an unsteady object | neutral | Can be used casually to describe a table with uneven legs that rocks back and forth. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
しーそー しーそー / similar | Use 'シーソー' as the standard, neutral word for a seesaw in general or written contexts. | 'シーソー' is the standard term and does not carry the playful, mimetic sound of children's language. | 公園にシーソーがある。 |
ぎっこんばったん ぎっこんばったん / similar | Use when emphasizing the creaking sound of an old machine or a heavy up-and-down motion. | Very similar, but 'ぎっこんばったん' places slightly more focus on the loud sound (creaking/banging) rather than the playground game itself. | ぎっこんばったんと音を立てる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word in formal contexts to describe fluctuating numbers, like stock prices going up and down.
This is strictly a playful word. Use words like '上下する' (go up and down) or '変動する' (fluctuate) for formal situations.
Assuming it is the formal name for the playground equipment.
The standard name is 'シーソー' (seesaw).
Examples
Examples
公園で弟とぎったんばっこんをして遊んだ。
こうえんでおとうととぎったんばっこんをしてあそんだ。
I played on the seesaw with my little brother at the park.
VisualShows the usage as a noun referring to the activity of playing.
子供たちがぎったんばっこんに乗って楽しそうにしている。
こどもたちがぎったんばっこんにのってたのしそうにしている。
The children look like they are having fun riding the seesaw.
VisualRefers directly to the physical playground equipment (noun).
ぎったんばっこんは二人で乗るものだよ。
ぎったんばっこんはふたりでのるものだよ。
A seesaw is something two people ride, you know.
LiteralOften said by parents to teach children how to play.
足の短い机が、ぎったんばっこんする。
あしのみじかいつくえが、ぎったんばっこんする。
The desk with the short leg wobbles up and down.
VisualUsing the word as a verb (する) to describe a wobbly object.
木の板を踏むと、ぎったんばっこんと動く。
きのいたをふむと、ぎったんばっこんとうごく。
When you step on the wooden board, it tilts up and down.
VisualUsed with the particle 'to' (と) as an adverb showing the manner of movement.
Similar Words
シーソー
shi-so-
The standard word for a seesaw.
ぎっこんばったん
gikkon-battan
A similar sound variant, often emphasizing the creaking sound of an object.
Questions
Is 'ぎったんばっこん' the same as 'シーソー'?
Yes, they both refer to the same thing. However, 'ぎったんばっこん' is a playful children's word, while 'シーソー' is the standard term.
Can adults use this word?
Yes, but usually only when talking to children, reminiscing, or playfully describing a wobbly chair. It sounds too childish for formal adult conversation.
Why does it sound like that?
It is an onomatopoeia mimicking the sounds of a wooden playground ride: the creak as it goes up and the thud as it hits the ground.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2826236
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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