Entry
パカラッパカラッ
pakarappakara
The rhythmic clip-clop sound of horse hooves.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A phonomime representing the rhythmic sound made by a horse or a horse-drawn carriage walking, trotting, or galloping.
- Real horse hooves walking or running.
- Sound effects of imitating a horse.
Sense Map
Horse Hooves
The real sound of horse hooves or a horse-drawn carriage striking the ground.
馬がパカラッパカラッと走っていく。
Imitating a Horse
The vocal sound effect used when children play or pretend to ride a horse.
子供がパカラッパカラッと馬の真似をする。
Usage Note
How to Use
パカラッパカラッと + verb (often motion/sound)
Used as an adverb (often with verbs like 走る) to describe an action accompanied by a clip-clop sound.
パカラッパカラッという + noun (often sound)
Used to modify a noun (such as 音 for 'sound' or 蹄 for 'hooves') to specify the nature of the sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
パカラッパカラッと走る
to run clip-clop
パカラッパカラッという音
clip-clop sound
パカラッパカラッと近づく
to approach with a clip-clop sound
パカラッパカラッと足音を立てる
to make a clip-clop footstep sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A horse trotting or galloping | Neutral | Captures the distinct rhythmic pattern of hooves hitting the ground. |
| Children pretending to ride a horse | Playful | Often used as a vocal sound effect to bring the imagination of horseback riding to life. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱかぱか ぱかぱか / similar | Also used for horse hooves, but sounds shorter, lighter, or like a simple steady trot. | パカラッパカラッ is more complex and mimics a distinct four-beat galloping rhythm. | 馬がパカパカと走る。 |
からんころん からんころん / contrast | For the clinking or clip-clopping sound of wooden clogs (geta) or ice in a glass. | Not used for horse hooves at all. | ゲタを履いてカランコロンと歩く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for human footsteps.
Use スタスタ for walking briskly or テクテク for walking steadily.
Using it for the sound of a horse neighing.
Use ヒヒーン for the vocal cry; パカラッパカラッ is strictly for the hooves hitting the ground.
Examples
Examples
馬がパカラッパカラッと走っていく。
馬(うま)がパカラッパカラッと走(はし)っていく。
The horse runs away with a clip-clop sound.
LiteralDescribes the movement of a running horse.
遠くからパカラッパカラッという蹄の音が聞こえる。
遠(とお)くからパカラッパカラッという蹄(ひづめ)の音(おと)が聞(き)こえる。
The clip-clop sound of hooves can be heard from afar.
LiteralFocuses on hearing the sound from a distance.
荷馬車がパカラッパカラッと通り過ぎた。
荷馬車(にばしゃ)がパカラッパカラッと通(とお)り過(す)ぎた。
A horse-drawn wagon passed by with a clip-clop sound.
LiteralUsed for horse-drawn vehicles.
子供が箒にまたがり、パカラッパカラッと馬の真似をして遊んでいる。
子供(こども)が箒(ほうき)にまたがり、パカラッパカラッと馬(うま)の真似(まね)をして遊(あそ)んでいる。
A child is straddling a broom and playing make-believe, mimicking a horse's sound.
FigurativeChildren vocally mimicking a horse.
パカラッパカラッとリズミカルな足音を立ててポニーが近づいてきた。
パカラッパカラッとリズミカルな足音(あしおと)を立(た)ててポニーが近(ちか)づいてきた。
A pony approached making rhythmic clip-clop footsteps.
LiteralEmphasizes the rhythmic steps of a pony.
Similar Words
パカパカ
pakapaka
パカパカ is an onomatopoeia describing the rhythmic clip-clop sound of horse hooves, or a noun referring to a clamshell flip phone. Shorter and lighter trot.
カランコロン
karankoron
The clear, hollow sound of wooden clogs (geta), an old-fashioned shop doorbell, or ice clinking in a glass. Sound of geta or ice, not horses.
Questions
Is this word used for animals other than horses?
No, it is strongly associated with horses, donkeys, or similar hoofed animals, as well as the carriages taking them.
What is the difference between パカラッパカラッ and パカパカ?
Both mean 'clip-clop', but パカラッパカラッ sounds more rhythmic and detailed, evoking a four-beat gallop, while パカパカ is a simpler, steady trot.
Can it describe a person running?
No, unless the person is explicitly mimicking a horse. For a person running, you would use different sound words like タッタッ or スタスタ depending on the context.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2866675
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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