Entry
こくん
kokun
Represents a single, deep nod of the head in agreement or a single audible gulp when swallowing liquid.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word signifies a single, deliberate action. It is primarily used to describe someone giving a firm, single nod to show that they understand or agree with something. It also describes the distinct sound of a single gulp when swallowing a beverage, medicine, or saliva.
- A single, firm nod
- A single, distinct gulp
Sense Map
Nodding
A single, firm nod of the head to show agreement or understanding.
こくんと頷く。
Swallowing
A single audible gulp when swallowing a liquid or saliva.
こくんと飲み込む。
Usage Note
How to Use
こくんと + verb
Functions as an adverb modifying verbs like nodding (頷く) or swallowing (飲み込む) to indicate the action was done with a single, distinct motion or sound.
こくんと + 頷く/飲み込む
How to Use
Common Phrases
こくんと頷く
to nod deeply (once)
こくんと飲み込む
to swallow with a gulp
こくんと飲む
to drink with a gulp
一つこくんと
with a single nod/gulp
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Agreeing with someone | positive | Shows clear understanding or firm agreement through a single, visible nod. |
| Taking a pill or swallowing saliva | neutral | Frequently used when swallowing medicine or gulping nervously. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こくんこくん こくんこくん / similar | Used when the nodding or swallowing action is repeated multiple times. | こくん is just a single nod or gulp, whereas こくんこくん implies a continuous or repeated action. | こくんこくんと水を飲む。 |
ごくごく ごくごく / nearby | Used to describe drinking a large amount of liquid continuously in big gulps. | こくん focuses on a single distinct gulp, while ごくごく emphasizes drinking continuously with vigor. | 水をごくごく飲む。 |
こっくりこっくり こっくりこっくり / contrast | Used to describe a head bobbing up and down because a person is sleepy. | こくん is a conscious nod of agreement, whereas こっくりこっくり is an involuntary action caused by drowsiness. | こっくりこっくりと居眠りする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kokun' to describe falling asleep in class.
Use 'kokkuri' or 'utouto' instead. 'Kokun' is a deliberate nod of agreement.
Using 'kokun' to describe drinking an entire glass of water at once.
Use 'gokugoku' for continuous drinking. 'Kokun' implies taking only one distinct gulp.
Examples
Examples
彼女は私の提案にこくんと頷いた。
彼女(かのじょ)は私(わたし)の提案(ていあん)にこくんと頷(うなず)いた。
She gave a single, deep nod at my proposal.
VisualShows a distinct nodding action as a sign of agreement.
薬を水と一緒にこくんと飲み込んだ。
薬(くすり)を水(みず)と一緒(いっしょ)にこくんと飲(の)み込(こ)んだ。
I swallowed the medicine with water in a single gulp.
LiteralFocuses on the sound of a single gulp when swallowing.
男の子は美味しそうにジュースをこくんと飲んだ。
男(おとこ)の子(こ)は美味(おい)しそうにジュースをこくんと飲(の)んだ。
The boy drank the juice with an audible gulp, looking like he enjoyed it.
LiteralDescribes taking a single distinct gulp of a drink.
彼は黙ってこくんと一度だけ首を縦に振った。
彼(かれ)は黙(だま)ってこくんと一度(いちど)だけ首(くび)を縦(たて)に振(ふ)った。
He silently nodded his head firmly just once.
VisualEmphasis on the physical movement of the head dropping once.
緊張して生唾をこくんと飲み込んだ。
緊張(きんちょう)して生唾(なまつば)をこくんと飲(の)み込(こ)んだ。
Feeling nervous, I gulped down my saliva.
FigurativeUsed to convey nervousness through the sound of swallowing saliva.
Similar Words
こくんこくん
kokunkokun
This word describes the repeated sound or action of swallowing liquids, as well as the repeated visual movement of nodding one's head. Repeated form for actions done multiple times.
こっくりこっくり
kokkurikokkuri
The repetitive motion of the head dropping and rising when someone is drowsy and dozing off. For a head bobbing due to drowsiness.
ごくごく
gokugoku
The sound of drinking liquid continuously in large, vigorous gulps. For drinking continuously in big gulps.
Questions
Can I use こくん for eating food?
Not usually. こくん focuses on the throat action of swallowing liquids or pills, or the physical head movement of a nod. For eating, words like もぐもぐ (mogumogu) are used.
Is こくん a formal word?
It is a neutral, everyday term. While onomatopoeias are generally conversational, こくん is perfectly acceptable in narrative writing and casual to polite speech.
Why does one word mean both nodding and drinking?
The word captures the physical motion of the neck dropping down, which happens both when giving a deep nod and when the throat moves to swallow a distinct gulp.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2122040
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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