Entry
パキッ
paki
パキッ represents the sharp, crisp, and high-pitched sound made when something hard but relatively thin or brittle snaps cleanly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeic word is used to describe a clean, sharp breaking or cracking sound. It is typically associated with hard, brittle objects such as chocolate bars, dry twigs, thin plastic cases, or ice cracking.
- snapping cleanly
- sharp cracking sound
Sense Map
Snapping / Breaking
Used when a thin, hard, and brittle object (like chocolate or plastic) breaks cleanly in two.
板チョコがパキッと割れる。
Cracking Sound
Used for a sharp, high-pitched cracking noise, such as ice cracking or a dry twig snapping underfoot.
小枝がパキッと音を立てる。
Usage Note
How to Use
パキッと + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an object snaps or cracks with a crisp sound.
パキッと音がする
Used to state that a crisp snapping or cracking sound was heard.
How to Use
Common Phrases
パキッと折れる
to snap cleanly in two
パキッと割れる
to break/crack crisply
パキッと音がする
to make a snapping sound
パキッと鳴る
to snap / crackle sharply
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Breaking snacks (chocolate, crackers) | Positive / Neutral | Highlights the satisfying, crisp texture and freshness of the food snapping. |
| Thin plastic or wood snapping | Neutral / Negative | Describes a sudden, clean break that is often abrupt or accidental due to brittleness. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽきっ ぽきっ / similar | Used for the snapping sound of something slightly less brittle or a bit thicker, like a pencil or a branch. | パキッ has a sharper, crisper, and higher-pitched sound. | 鉛筆がポキッと折れる。 |
ばきばき ばきばき / contrast | Used for the heavy, loud sound of thick or sturdy things breaking forcefully. | パキッ is strictly for a light, clean snap of something thin and brittle. | 太い枝がバキバキと折れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for breaking thick, heavy objects like large tree trunks.
パキッ is reserved for thin, hard, and brittle items.
Using it for shattering glass.
Use パリン for shattering glass. パキッ is for snapping flat or stick-like objects like plastic or twigs.
Examples
Examples
板チョコをパキッと半分に割った。
いたチョコをパキッとはんぶんにわった。
I snapped the chocolate bar cleanly in half.
LiteralShows the chocolate breaking easily and neatly.
足元で小枝がパキッと折れる音がした。
あしもとでこえだがパキッとおれるおとがした。
There was a sharp snapping sound of a twig breaking under my feet.
LiteralThe twig stepped on snapped with a crisp, sharp sound.
プラスチックのケースがパキッと割れてしまった。
プラスチックのケースがパキッとわれてしまった。
The plastic case cracked sharply.
LiteralDescribes hard plastic breaking suddenly without bending.
薄い氷がパキッと音を立てて割れた。
うすいこおりがパキッとおとをたててわれた。
The thin ice broke with a sharp cracking sound.
LiteralThe sound of thin ice cracking under pressure.
クラッカーをパキッと割ってスープに入れた。
クラッカーをパキッとわってスープにいれた。
I snapped the cracker crisply and put it in the soup.
LiteralThe dry texture of the snack produces a sharp snap.
Similar Words
ポキッ
pokki
For slightly thicker or softer snapping sounds.
ポキッと
pokitto
The light, crisp sound of something long, thin, and hard snapping cleanly in two.
バキバキ
bakibaki
Represents a loud, forceful cracking or snapping sound of rigid objects breaking, joints popping, or something completely shattering. Loud, heavy sound of sturdy objects breaking.
パリン
parin
パリン (parin) is the high-pitched sound of something thin, hard, and brittle like glass or ceramic cracking or shattering cleanly.
Questions
Can I use パキッ for a broken bone?
Usually no. A broken bone is typically described with ポキッ or バキッ depending on severity. パキッ sounds too light and crisp.
What is the difference between パキッ and パリン?
パリン is used for fragile materials like glass or ceramics shattering into pieces. パキッ is for hard, flat, or stick-like objects snapping cleanly.
Is パキッ a continuous sound?
No, it represents a single, quick snap. For a series of cracks, you would use パキパキ.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2849710
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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