Entry
コテン
koten
Describes the action of suddenly falling asleep in an instant or collapsing without resistance.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word expresses a sudden loss of physical tension or support, resulting in a floppy collapse. It is most frequently used to describe dropping fast asleep the moment one's head hits the pillow, or passing away suddenly without suffering.
- Instantly falling asleep from exhaustion
- Flopping over or collapsing
- Passing away suddenly and painlessly
Sense Map
Falling Asleep Instantly
Losing consciousness to sleep the exact moment one lies down or leans back, usually due to exhaustion.
疲れてコテンと寝る
Collapsing Without Resistance
Suddenly flopping over due to a loss of physical tension, sometimes implying a sudden, peaceful passing.
コテンと倒れる
Usage Note
How to Use
コテンと + verb
Often paired with the particle と (to) as an adverb, modifying verbs indicating falling (倒れる) or sleeping (寝る).
コテンと寝る
A very common phrase for falling asleep in a split second.
コテンと倒れる
Used to describe a person or a small object flopping over suddenly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
コテンと寝る
fall asleep instantly
コテンと倒れる
collapse suddenly
コテンと眠る
drop fast asleep
コテンと死ぬ
pass away suddenly (without suffering)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A baby or pet falling asleep | positive | Creates a cute, endearing visual of them suddenly running out of energy and flopping into sleep. |
| Someone passing away | neutral | Implies that they died suddenly and gracefully, avoiding any graphic or painful imagery. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばたんきゅー ばたんきゅー / similar | Used when someone collapses into bed and falls asleep immediately due to extreme exhaustion. | バタンキュー strongly emphasizes the extreme fatigue right before sleeping, whereas コテン focuses on the floppy movement and can also apply to passing away or objects falling over. | 疲れてバタンキューと寝た。 |
ころり ころり / similar | Used when a small object rolls over, someone gives in easily, or passes away suddenly without pain. | ころり carries a nuance of doing something effortlessly or giving way easily (like being tricked), while コテン strictly focuses on the sudden loss of tension causing a collapse. | ころりと騙された。 |
ぐっすり ぐっすり / similar | Used to describe a state of deep, undisturbed, and sound sleep. | ぐっすり describes the quality and depth of the sleep itself, while コテン focuses entirely on the split-second action of falling asleep. | ぐっすり眠る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using コテン to describe falling down the stairs or a violent crash.
コテン is for a light, sudden loss of tension, not a heavy or destructive fall. Use ガタン (gatan) or ドシン (doshin) for loud, heavy falls.
Thinking that コテン means 'sleeping deeply for hours'.
This word only highlights the brief moment a person falls asleep. It says nothing about how deeply or how long they sleep afterwards.
Examples
Examples
赤ちゃんはミルクを飲んだ後、コテンと寝てしまった。
あかちゃんはみるくをのんだあと、こてんとねてしまった。
The baby fell fast asleep right after drinking milk.
VisualDescribes the baby suddenly losing consciousness and falling asleep.
ソファに座った途端、疲れでコテンと眠りに落ちた。
そふぁにすわったとたん、つかれでこてんとねむりにおちた。
The moment I sat on the sofa, I fell asleep instantly from exhaustion.
VisualEmphasizes how quickly sleep overtook the person.
おもちゃのロボットが電池が切れてコテンと倒れた。
おもちゃのろぼっとがでんちがきれてこてんとたおれた。
The toy robot plopped over after running out of batteries.
VisualIllustrates a sudden loss of power causing a light, harmless fall.
うちの犬は遊んだ後、いつも床でコテンと寝る。
うちのいぬはあそんだあと、いつもゆかでこてんとねる。
Our dog always flops down and falls asleep on the floor after playing.
VisualA common use of the word to show the endearing sudden sleepiness of a pet.
お祖父さんは苦しむことなく、コテンと亡くなったそうだ。
おじいさんはくるしむことなく、こてんとなくなったそうだ。
I heard my grandfather passed away suddenly without suffering.
LiteralUses the word to soften the reality of a sudden, pain-free passing.
Similar Words
バタンキュー
batankyuu
Used when falling fast asleep out of pure exhaustion.
ころり
korori
Used for things falling effortlessly or a painless death.
Questions
Can I use コテン if a building collapses?
No. The word implies a light drop or a loss of physical tension. A building collapsing is heavy, loud, and destructive, which is better described by words like ガラガラ (garagara).
What's the difference between コテンと寝る and ぐっすり寝る?
コテン describes the instant you fall asleep (the transition), while ぐっすり describes being in a deep, sound sleep (the state).
Is it rude to use コテン when talking about death?
It is a colloquial word. While it implies a peaceful, sudden passing (like 'dropping dead' without pain), it is far too casual for a formal funeral setting or when expressing condolences.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2859202
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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