Entry
こん
kon
こん (kon) is a Japanese sound word mimicking a fox's yelp or a light, dry clunking sound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, こん (kon) is historically and culturally known as the sound a fox makes. It is also commonly used to describe a single, light physical impact between hard objects, like a small bump to the head or a cup placed down with a clunk.
- The iconic yelp or bark of a fox.
- A light, single, dry impact sound like a bump or clack.
Sense Map
Fox Bark
Mimics the short bark or yelp of a fox.
キツネがこんと鳴く。
Light Impact
Describes a light, sharp, dry physical impact sound, such as a bump or clunk.
壁に頭をこんとぶつける。
Usage Note
How to Use
こんと + verb
The most common usage, attaching to verbs like 鳴く (bark/cry) or ぶつける (bump) with the quotation particle と.
こん + particle
How to Use
Common Phrases
こんと鳴く
to bark (of a fox)
こんとぶつける
to bump lightly
こんと叩く
to tap lightly
こんと置く
to set down with a clunk
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Animals (Fox) | neutral | Deeply ingrained in Japanese culture; standard knowledge for children. |
| Physical bumps | neutral | Suggests the bump was minor and did not cause significant damage or pain. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こんこん こんこん / similar | Use when the barking or tapping happens repeatedly. | こん represents a single sound, whereas コンコン implies repetition. | ドアをコンコンと叩く。 |
ことん ことん / similar | Use for a small object falling or being placed with a dull thump. | ことん feels slightly duller and often involves setting an object down, while こん can be a bit sharper. | グラスをことんと置く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using こん (kon) for a dog's bark.
Dogs say ワンワン (wanwan) in Japanese, never こん (kon).
Using こん (kon) for a major car crash.
こん (kon) is only for light bumps. For heavy crashes, use ドカン (dokan) or ガチャン (gachan).
Examples
Examples
森の奥で、キツネがこんと鳴いた。
もりの おくで、 キツネが こんと ないた。
Deep in the forest, a fox gave a short yelp.
LiteralUsed literally to mimic the sound of a fox.
彼はドアをこんと一度だけ叩いた。
かれは ドアを こんと いちどだけ たたいた。
He knocked on the door just once with a light tap.
LiteralIndicates a single, light knock on a hard object.
立ち上がろうとして、壁に頭をこんとぶつけた。
たちあがろうとして、 かべに あたまを こんと ぶつけた。
Trying to stand up, I lightly bumped my head against the wall.
LiteralIndicates a small bump that usually doesn't cause severe pain.
コップがテーブルの上にこんと置かれた。
コップが テーブルの うえに こんと おかれた。
The cup was placed on the table with a light clunk.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a hard object being placed on a flat surface.
小さな石が飛んできて、窓ガラスにこんと当たった。
ちいさな いしが とんきて、 まどガラスに こんと あたった。
A small stone flew and hit the window glass with a light clack.
VisualIndicates a light touch without damaging the object hit.
Similar Words
コンコン
konkon
A light repeated sound such as knocking on a door, a dry cough, or a fox's yelp. The repeated version of kon (continuous fox barking or repeated knocking).
ことん
koton
The light, slightly hard, and blunt sound of a small or lightweight object making an impact. Similar, but used for objects placed down with a duller thump.
がたん
gatan
A word describing the heavy sound of an object bumping, a mechanical jolt, or a sudden sharp decline.
Questions
Can I use こん (kon) for dogs?
No, dogs bark with ワンワン (wanwan).
What is the difference between こん (kon) and コンコン (konkon)?
こん (kon) is a single, isolated sound, whereas コンコン (konkon) is continuous (like knock-knock).
Does a こん (kon) bump hurt?
Usually, it describes a light bump that is harmless, focusing more on the sound than the pain.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2516590
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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