Entry
かちかち
kachikachi
A state of something hardening, being stiff from nervousness, or the continuous ticking sound of a clock.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes the physical state of objects freezing or drying into a very hard texture, the mental and physical state of being stiff from nervousness, or a light, repetitive sound of hard objects hitting each other, like a ticking clock.
- Physically hard
- Tense or nervous
- Ticking sound
- Stubborn
Sense Map
Physically Hard
The state of an object becoming extremely hard due to freezing or drying.
かちかちに凍る
Tense / Nervous
The body and mind becoming very stiff due to nervousness, fear, or tension.
かちかちに緊張する
Ticking Sound
The rhythmic and repetitive sound of small hard objects hitting, such as the hands of a clock.
時計がかちかち鳴る
Stubborn
A person's character of being inflexible and refusing to accept other people's opinions.
頭がかちかちだ
Usage Note
How to Use
かちかちに + 動詞
Describes a change of state into something very hard or tense.
かちかちだ / かちかちの + 名詞
Describes the current state of something being hard, stiff, or someone being stubborn.
かちかち（と） + 動詞
Used to mimic a constant ticking or light clinking sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
かちかちに凍る
freeze solid
かちかちに緊張する
be extremely tense from nervousness
頭がかちかち
stubborn / inflexible mind
時計がかちかち鳴る
clock ticks
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical objects | Neutral | Very common for describing bread, ice, or glue that has completely hardened. |
| Sound | Neutral | Only for rhythmic sounds from small impacts, not for loud or noisy sounds. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
がちがち がちがち / similar | When the temperature is so cold that you shiver, or when you are physically panicked and tense. | Not used for the ticking sound of a clock or to describe a stubborn personality. | 寒さで体ががちがち震える |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using かちかち to describe the sound of a large object falling.
For the sound of heavy objects falling, use がちゃん (gachan) or どすん (dosun). かちかち is only for light objects.
Using かちかち to describe a muscular, strong body.
For strong muscles, use むきむき (mukimuki). かちかち implies being stiff from tension rather than strong.
Examples
Examples
寒さでパンがかちかちに凍ってしまった。
さむさでパンがかちかちにこおってしまった。
The bread froze solid due to the cold.
LiteralFroze to a hard texture.
初めてのスピーチでかちかちに緊張している。
はじめてのスピーチでかちかちにきんちょうしている。
I am extremely stiff with nervousness from my first speech.
FigurativeDescribes the body and mind being stiff from tension.
部屋の中で時計のかちかちという音だけが聞こえる。
へやのなかでとけいのかちかちというおとだけがきこえる。
Inside the room, only the ticking sound of the clock can be heard.
LiteralMimics the consistent ticking sound of clock hands.
のりが乾いて筆がかちかちになった。
のりがかわいてふでがかちかちになった。
The glue dried out and the brush became stiff.
LiteralThe change of a flexible object hardening as it dries.
彼は頭がかちかちで、新しい意見を全く聞かない。
かれはあたまがかちかちで、あたらしいいけんをまったくきかない。
He is extremely stubborn and won't listen to new opinions at all.
Figurative'Stiff head' is a metaphor for being stubborn or inflexible.
Similar Words
Questions
What is the difference between かちかち (kachikachi) and がちがち (gachigachi)?
Both mean hard or stiff, but がちがち (gachigachi) has a more extreme nuance, implies more severe tension, or is used for teeth chattering from the cold.
Can かちかち (kachikachi) be used for things that are freezing?
Yes, the expression かちかちに凍る (kachikachi ni kooru) is very commonly used to describe something freezing solid.
How is かちかち (kachikachi) used to describe a person's character?
The phrase 頭がかちかち (atama ga kachikachi) is used metaphorically to describe someone who is stubborn, inflexible, and old-fashioned.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 885810883
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/かちかち
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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