Entry
パシャリ
pashari
This word mimics the sound of a camera shutter clicking or a light splash of water.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
パシャリ (pashari) is an onomatopoeia representing a brief, crisp sound. It is most commonly used to describe the 'click' of a camera shutter when a photograph is taken. Additionally, it can denote the sound of a small amount of water splashing or a light object dropping into liquid.
- Camera shutter click
- Light water splash
Sense Map
Camera Shutter
Describes the clicking sound of a camera shutter when snapping a photo.
カメラでパシャリと撮る
Water Splash
Describes the brief sound of water splashing lightly.
水たまりでパシャリと音がする
Usage Note
How to Use
パシャリと
Used as an adverb to describe the manner in which a sound is made or an action is performed.
パシャリと + verb
Often followed by verbs like 撮る (to take a photo) or 鳴る (to sound/ring).
How to Use
Common Phrases
パシャリと撮る
to snap a photo with a click
パシャリと鳴る
to sound a click
パシャリと音がする
to make a clicking/splashing sound
水がパシャリとはねる
water splashes lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Taking a photo | Neutral to Positive | Often adds a lighthearted tone to capturing a memory. |
| Small splash of water | Neutral | Indicates the splash is minor and not causing a big mess. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱしゃっと ぱしゃっと / similar | Use when the snap or splash feels more abrupt and momentary. | パシャッと emphasizes suddenness, whereas パシャリ focuses on the crisp nature of the sound itself. | パシャッと水がかかる |
ばしゃばしゃ ばしゃばしゃ / contrast | Use for large, heavy, and continuous splashing. | バシャバシャ is for large-scale, repeated water movement, while パシャリ is for a single, small splash. | プールでバシャバシャ泳ぐ |
ぱちり ぱちり / similar | Use for a harder or drier mechanical click, also commonly used for cameras. | While both can be used for cameras, ぱちり implies a harder mechanical snap, whereas パシャリ is strongly associated with modern shutter sounds or liquid. | 写真をぱちりと撮る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using パシャリ for big ocean waves crashing.
Use ザバーン (zabaan) or バシャバシャ (bashabasha) for large volumes of water.
Using this word when recording a video.
This word specifically implies the capturing of a single still photograph.
Examples
Examples
記念写真をパシャリと撮った。
きねんしゃしんをパシャリととった。
I snapped a commemorative photo with a click.
LiteralThe most common usage, referring to the sound of a camera.
スマホのカメラがパシャリと鳴った。
スマホのカメラがパシャリとなった。
The smartphone camera clicked.
LiteralFocuses on the sound produced by the device.
石を池に投げると、パシャリと音がした。
いしをいけになげると、パシャリとおとがした。
When I threw a stone into the pond, it made a splashing sound.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a small object entering water.
猫が水たまりを歩いて、水がパシャリとはねた。
ねこがみずたまりをあるいて、みずがパシャリとはねた。
A cat walked through a puddle, and the water splashed lightly.
LiteralShows that the water splash is small and light.
美味しそうなケーキをパシャリと一枚撮る。
おいしそうなケーキをパシャリといちまいとる。
Taking a quick snapshot of the delicious-looking cake.
LiteralOften used with 一枚 (ichimai) to emphasize taking a single picture.
Similar Words
パシャッと
pashatto
A more abrupt variant of pashari.
ぱちり
pachiri
A crisp clicking or snapping sound, especially the sound of a camera shutter taking a picture. Also used for cameras, but focuses more on the hard mechanical mechanism.
バシャバシャ
bashabasha
A word that describes the vigorous sound of water splashing or the repeated clicking of a camera shutter. For much larger and continuous water splashing sounds.
パシャ
pasha
The light, crisp sound of a camera shutter clicking.
Questions
Can I use パシャリ for the sound of rain?
No. It is for a single, localized splash, not the continuous sound of falling rain. For heavy rain, use ザーザー (zaa-zaa).
What is the difference between パシャリ and パシャッと?
They mean almost the same thing, but パシャッと sounds slightly more abrupt or sharply cut off.
Do I always need to use the particle と?
No. In casual writing or comics, it is often written just as 'パシャリ' acting as an independent sound effect.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2680210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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