Entry
ぱさり
pasari
ぱさり (pasari) describes the soft, light thud made when a dry or relatively light object like a book or paper falls or is placed down.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word ぱさり (pasari) is an onomatopoeia for a light impact sound. This sound is typically heard when a relatively light and dry object, such as a stack of papers, a magazine, or fabric, drops to the floor or is placed onto a desk. The voiceless initial 'pa' indicates that the impact is much lighter and softer compared to its voiced counterpart 'basari' (ばさり).
- Sound of a book or paper dropping
- Placing a light object on a surface
Sense Map
Light Object Falling
Describes the sound heard when a dry, relatively light object falls and hits a surface.
ノートが床にぱさりと落ちた。
Placing an Object
Describes the soft sound when someone intentionally places a light object onto a desk or other surface.
彼女は雑誌をテーブルにぱさりと置いた。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぱさりと落ちる
ぱさりと置く
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぱさりと落ちる
drop with a light thud
ぱさりと置く
place down with a light thud
ぱさりと落とす
drop something with a light thud
床にぱさりと
fall lightly onto the floor
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Books or papers falling | neutral | Very commonly used for sheets of paper, documents, or thin books hitting the ground. |
| Fabric or clothes being dropped | neutral | Describes the soft sound of cloth landing on a surface without much weight. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばさり ばさり / opposite | Used when a heavy, bulky object falls or is placed with a loud noise. | While ぱさり is for light objects, ばさり conveys much more weight and a louder impact sound. | 荷物をばさりと落とす |
ぱたっと ぱたっと / similar | Used for the light sound of a flat object suddenly falling or closing. | パタッと emphasizes a sudden stop or flat surface contact, whereas ぱさり focuses on the soft thud of dry materials like paper or cloth. | 本がパタッと閉じる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a brick or heavy item falling to the ground.
For heavy items that fall with a loud noise, use ばさり (basari) or どさり (dosari).
Using it for wet food dropping on the floor.
ぱさり (pasari) always indicates a dry object. For wet objects, use べちゃ (becha).
Examples
Examples
本がベッドからぱさりと落ちた。
ほんがベッドからぱさりとおちた。
The book fell from the bed with a light thud.
LiteralUsed literally for the sound of a book hitting the floor lightly.
彼は読了した本を机の上にぱさりと置いた。
かれはどくりょうしたほんをつくえのうえにぱさりとおいた。
He placed the finished book on the desk with a light thud.
LiteralDescribes the sound of placing a book down without much force.
風で飛ばされた新聞紙が、庭にぱさりと落ちた。
かぜでとばされたしんぶんしが、にわにぱさりとおちた。
The newspaper blown by the wind landed in the yard with a soft thud.
LiteralPerfect for describing the sound of light paper landing.
彼女は疲れた様子で、鞄をソファにぱさりと置いた。
かのじょはつかれたようすで、かばんをソファにぱさりとおいた。
Looking tired, she dropped her bag onto the sofa with a light thud.
LiteralIndicates that the bag is not too heavy and was placed on a soft surface (sofa).
重ねてあった書類が崩れて、床にぱさりと落ちた。
かさねてあったしょるいがくずれて、ゆかにぱさりとおちた。
The stacked documents collapsed and fell to the floor with a light thud.
LiteralCommonly used for a stack of papers falling.
Similar Words
ばさり
basari
Describes the dull sound of something relatively bulky or heavy falling and hitting a surface. Used for the sound of a heavier, larger, or bulkier object falling.
パタッと
patatto
Describes a light thud or the sudden and complete cessation of an action. Focuses on a sudden motion that stops flat or closes.
Questions
What is the difference between ぱさり (pasari) and ばさり (basari)?
ぱさり is used for relatively light objects like books or small stacks of paper, while ばさり is used for much heavier or bulkier items that fall with a loud, heavy thud.
Can I use ぱさり to describe a person falling down?
No, ぱさり is only used for light, dry inanimate objects. To describe a person falling heavily, words like どたり (dotari) or ばったり (battari) are more appropriate.
Does ぱさり apply to wet objects falling?
No. ぱさり specifically describes the sound of dry materials. For wet objects hitting a surface, words like べちゃ (becha) are used.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2842424
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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