Entry
ぱくっと
pakutto
Pakutto describes something suddenly opening widely, such as a mouth gaping open or a surface splitting apart.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Pakutto is an adverb that conveys a sudden, singular action of something opening wide. It is most commonly used to describe a mouth popping wide open to snap up food, or a surface—like a wound or the ground—suddenly cracking and splitting apart.
- Mouth opening wide to bite or snap something up instantly.
- A surface, such as the ground or a wound, suddenly cracking or splitting wide open.
Sense Map
Mouth / Snapping Up
The action of a mouth opening suddenly and widely, often to bite or swallow something in one go.
一口でぱくっと食べる
Splitting / Gaping Open
The state of an object, skin, or ground suddenly cracking and splitting wide open.
傷口がぱくっと開く
Usage Note
How to Use
ぱくっと + verb (especially 開く, 割れる, 食べる)
Functions as an adverb modifying verbs of opening or eating to indicate the action was sudden and wide.
ぱくっと + する
Used with 'suru' to describe the physical state of something gaping open.
How to Use
Common Phrases
口をぱくっと開ける
to open one's mouth wide
ぱくっと食べる
to eat in one big bite
ぱくっと食いつく
to snap at / bite into suddenly
ぱくっと割れる
to split wide open / crack open
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eating | neutral | Often used for animals snapping at bait or people taking a huge, sudden bite. |
| Physical condition (wounds/earth) | negative | Provides a visceral image of a severe wound or deep fissure suddenly opening up. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱくぱく ぱくぱく / similar | Use when the opening and closing motion is repeated, like a fish gasping or someone munching happily. | Unlike pakutto which is a sudden, one-time snap, pakupaku implies a continuous or repetitive action. | 金魚がぱくぱくしている。 |
ぱくり ぱくり / similar | Use when focusing slightly more on the physical snap or bite, often for eating. | Nearly identical in meaning, but pakuri is also commonly used as slang for plagiarism or stealing ideas. | パンをパクリと食べる。 |
くわっと くわっと / similar | Use for eyes or mouths opening widely and suddenly, typically accompanied by intense emotion like shock or anger. | Pakutto is neutral and often describes a physical split or bite, whereas kuwatto is heavily tied to dramatic facial expressions. | 目をくわっと見開く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using pakutto for things that open slowly, like a flower blooming.
Pakutto requires a sudden, abrupt action. Use other words for gradual opening.
Applying it to doors opening.
It is rarely used for doors. It implies a 'gaping' or 'cracking' open, like a mouth, jaw, or a wound.
Examples
Examples
子供は大きないちごを一口でぱくっと食べた。
こどもはおおきないちごをひとくちで[ぱくっと]たべた。
The child suddenly popped the large strawberry into their mouth in one bite.
LiteralDescribes the sudden action of eating something in one big bite.
魚がエサにぱくっと食いついた。
さかながえさに[ぱくっと]くいついた。
The fish snapped up the bait in an instant.
LiteralFocuses on the animal's mouth suddenly opening and biting.
転んだ時、ひざの傷口がぱくっと開いてしまった。
ころんだとき、ひざのきずぐちが[ぱくっと]ひらいてしまった。
When I fell, the wound on my knee split wide open.
VisualDescribes the surface of the skin tearing and gaping open.
乾燥で地面がぱくっと割れている。
かんそうでじめんが[ぱくっと]われている。
The ground is cracked wide open from the dryness.
VisualIndicates a wide, distinct crack forming in the earth.
彼は口をぱくっと開けて、驚いた顔をした。
かれはくちを[ぱくっと]あけて、おどろいたかおをした。
He opened his mouth wide in a surprised expression.
FigurativeOpening the mouth wide in surprise; while pakutto is often for eating, it can simply mean gaping open.
Similar Words
ぱくぱく
pakupaku
Describes the repeated opening and closing of a mouth, or the action of eating heartily and continuously. Pakupaku is repetitive opening and closing, whereas pakutto is a single sudden action.
パクリ
pakuri
Pakuri means to open wide, gobble up in one bite, or plagiarize someone's work. Very similar in meaning for snapping up food in one bite.
くわっと
kuwatto
Opening (eyes or mouth) suddenly and widely. Also means opening wide, but kuwatto is heavily tied to intense human emotion (eyes or mouth).
Questions
Can pakutto be used for objects?
Yes, it frequently describes inanimate surfaces splitting or cracking wide open suddenly (like the ground or fruit).
How is it different from pakupaku?
Pakutto is a single, sudden motion, while pakupaku describes an ongoing, repetitive opening and closing motion.
Is it a formal word?
No, it is an onomatopoeic/mimetic word and is mostly used in spoken language, creative writing, or casual contexts.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2839151
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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