Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia with two distinct main uses. First, it describes the sound or throat movement of swallowing liquids in repeated, distinct gulps. Second, it depicts the repeated, deep visual movement of someone nodding their head, either in earnest agreement or while dozing off.
- Repeated gulping of liquid
- Repeated head nodding
Sense Map
Drinking (Gulping)
Describes the sound or throat action of swallowing a significant amount of liquid repeatedly.
水をこくんこくんと飲む。
Nodding (Head Movement)
Describes the physical movement of the head nodding repeatedly, either to show agreement or when struggling to stay awake.
こくんこくんと頷く。
Usage Note
How to Use
こくんこくんと + verb
The most standard adverbial form, typically placed before action verbs like 飲む (to drink) or 頷く (to nod).
こくんこくん + verb
A slightly more casual usage dropping the particle と, functioning the same way.
How to Use
Common Phrases
こくんこくんと飲む
to drink in gulps
こくんこくんと頷く
to nod repeatedly/deeply
喉をこくんこくんと鳴らす
to make gulping sounds in the throat
首がこくんこくんと動く
neck moves/sways in a nodding motion (when sleepy)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Drinking liquids | neutral/positive | Often conveys a healthy, satisfying thirst being quenched. |
| Listening to someone | positive | Shows that the listener is earnestly paying attention and agreeing with the speaker. |
| Fighting sleep | neutral/negative | Describes the involuntary head-bobbing when someone is exhausted and trying not to doze off. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごくごく ごくごく / nearby | Use when emphasizing the large volume of liquid flowing down continuously. | こくんこくん places more focus on the distinct muscular movement of each swallow, while ごくごく focuses on the rapid, continuous flow of the liquid itself. | 水をごくごく飲む。 |
こっくり こっくり / nearby | Use for a single, slow, deep nod, or the action of falling asleep suddenly. | こっくり often implies a single, deliberate or slow drop of the head. こくんこくん implies a repeated, rhythmic nodding motion. | こっくりと頷く。 |
こくん こくん / similar | Use for one single distinct gulp or one single firm nod. | こくんこくん is the reduplicated form, indicating that the gulp or nod happens multiple times in succession. | こくんと頷く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for taking tiny, slow sips of a hot drink.
Use ちびちび (chibichibi) for small sips. こくんこくん implies substantial, audible gulps.
Using it for shaking the head 'no'.
It only refers to the vertical 'yes' nodding motion. For shaking the head side-to-side, use words like ぶんぶん (bunbun).
Examples
Examples
子供が牛乳をこくんこくんと飲んでいる。
こどもがぎゅうにゅうをこくんこくんとのんでいる。
The child is drinking milk in big gulps.
LiteralDescribes the sound and throat action of swallowing a drink repeatedly.
喉が渇いていたので、コップの水をこくんこくんと飲み干した。
のどがかわいていたので、コップのみずをこくんこくんとのみほした。
Because I was thirsty, I drained the glass of water in consecutive gulps.
LiteralShows the continuous action of swallowing liquid.
私の説明を聞きながら、彼はこくんこくんと頷いた。
わたしのせつめいをききながら、かれはこくんこくんとうなずいた。
While listening to my explanation, he nodded deeply and repeatedly.
VisualDescribes the conscious head movement of agreement.
授業中、眠くて首がこくんこくんと揺れた。
じゅぎょうちゅう、ねむくてくびがこくんこくんとゆれた。
During class, my neck swayed up and down nodding off due to sleepiness.
VisualDescribes the involuntary head bobbing caused by drowsiness.
緊張した面持ちで、彼は生唾をこくんこくんと飲み込んだ。
きんちょうしたおももちで、かれはなまつばをこくんこくんとのみこんだ。
With a nervous look, he swallowed his saliva in repeated gulps.
FigurativeUses the swallowing action figuratively to show nervousness.
Similar Words
こっくり
kokkuri
Used for a single, distinct nod or slowly dozing off once.
ごくごく
gokugoku
The sound of drinking liquid continuously in large, vigorous gulps. Used to emphasize the volume and continuous flow of liquid.
こくん
kokun
Represents a single, deep nod of the head in agreement or a single audible gulp when swallowing liquid. The single form of the swallowing or nodding action.
Questions
Can I use this word for chewing or eating food?
No, it is strictly used for liquids (gulping) or head movements. For chewing, words like もぐもぐ (mogumogu) are appropriate.
What is the difference between ごくごく (gokugoku) and こくんこくん (kokunkokun) when drinking?
While both mean gulping, ごくごく focuses on the sound of the liquid pouring down. こくんこくん highlights the physical up-and-down movement of the Adam's apple or the muscular effort of the throat swallowing.
Is it considered childish language?
Not necessarily. While it is simple, descriptive language, adults use it in daily conversation and literature to set a vivid scene. It is not exclusively baby talk.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2122030
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ぽうっと (poutto)
- Next entry
- こくん (kokun)