Entry
ことん
koton
The light, slightly hard, and blunt sound of a small or lightweight object making an impact.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeic word representing the sound made when a small or lightweight object, such as a cup or wooden item, is put down or dropped. It conveys a much lighter and less resonant thud than its voiced counterpart, 'goton'.
- putting down a small object
- a small item falling
Sense Map
Putting Things Down
The light clunking sound of placing a hard, small object like a glass or wooden item onto a surface.
コップを机にことんと置く
Something Dropping
The light thump of a small object dropping or hitting against something.
本がことんと落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
ことんと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe the light clunking sound accompanying an action, such as putting something down or dropping.
ことんと置く
ことんと落ちる
How to Use
Common Phrases
ことんと置く
to put down with a clunk
ことんと落ちる
to fall with a thump
ことんと鳴る
to make a clunking sound
コップをことんと置く
to put a cup down with a clunk
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Placing a cup or glass | neutral | Commonly used to describe setting down a drink quietly but audibly. |
| A small object falling off a table | neutral | Describes a minor accident without major damage. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ごとん ごとん / opposite | Use for heavy or large objects that produce a loud, resonant thud. | 'Goton' involves much more mass and makes a heavier reverberation than 'koton'. | 岩がごとんと落ちる |
こつん こつん / similar | Use for a sharp, hard tapping sound, often involving bone, wood, or knocking on a door. | 'Kotsun' is sharper and often applies to a quick, direct hit or rap at a single point, like tapping a head. | 頭をコツンと叩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a massive object falling, like a boulder or a car.
Use ごとん or どすん for heavy, massive objects instead.
Applying it to soft objects like a dropped cushion or a pillow.
It requires a hard object to produce the blunt sound; soft items use words like ばさっ.
Examples
Examples
コップを机にことんと置いた。
コップ を つくえ に ことんと おいた。
They placed the cup on the desk with a clunk.
LiteralA typical light sound when a glass is put down.
本棚から小さな本がことんと落ちた。
ほんだな から ちいさな ほん が ことんと おちた。
A small book fell from the bookshelf with a thump.
LiteralThe sound of a lightweight object falling and hitting the floor.
ドアがことんと鳴って閉まった。
ドア が ことんと なって しまった。
The door closed with a clunk.
LiteralThe light sound of a door latching or closing shut.
小石が床にことんと転がった。
こいし が ゆか に ことんと ころがった。
A pebble rolled onto the floor with a clatter.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a small stone making an impact.
箱を床にことんと下ろした。
はこ を ゆか に ことんと おろした。
They put the box down on the floor with a clunk.
LiteralThe light sound of a not-so-heavy box being put down.
Similar Words
ごとん
goton
For larger, heavier objects.
コツン
kotsun
For a sharp, quick tapping sound.
Questions
What is the difference between ことん and ごとん?
ことん is for small, light items, whereas ごとん is for large, heavy items that create a louder, deeper thud.
Can I use ことん for footsteps?
No, it's typically for inanimate objects. For footsteps, words like とんとん (light) or どしどし (heavy) are used.
Is ことん a negative word?
No, it is purely objective and neutral, describing the physical sound of a light impact.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2563580
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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