Entry
ぱしゃっと
pashatto
A short, sharp splash of water or the click of a camera shutter.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word names a quick sound that ends at once. It is used for a light splash, such as stepping in a puddle, and for the shutter sound when taking a photo.
- a brief splash of water
- a camera shutter click
Sense Map
Water splash
Used for a short splash that is not very large, usually a single burst.
水がぱしゃっとはねる
Camera click
Used for the shutter sound when taking a photo quickly.
カメラでぱしゃっと撮る
Usage Note
How to Use
ぱしゃっと + verb
Works as an adverb before verbs such as splash, step, or take a photo.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぱしゃっと水がかかる
to get splashed with water all at once
ぱしゃっと写真を撮る
to snap a photo
水たまりをぱしゃっと踏む
to step into a puddle with a splash
ぱしゃっとはねる
to splash up briefly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Contact with water | Neutral | Suggests a small, brief splash, sometimes accidental. |
| Taking photos | Neutral | Often feels casual, like a quick snapshot on a phone or compact camera. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばしゃばしゃ ばしゃばしゃ / contrast | Use it when water keeps splashing in larger bursts, such as playing in a pool. | ぱしゃっと is only one short splash or one shutter click, not repeated splashing. | プールでばしゃばしゃ泳ぐ。 |
ぱしゃり ぱしゃり / similar | Use it for a camera click or a light splash that seems to bounce at the end. | Same domain, but ぱしゃり often highlights the shutter, while ぱしゃっと sounds more clipped at the end. | カメラでぱしゃりと撮る。 |
かしゃっ かしゃっ / similar | Use it for a heavier mechanical click, such as an analog shutter or a sliding lock. | かしゃっ feels more metallic and mechanical, while ぱしゃっと is lighter and also used for water. | シャッターがかしゃっと下りる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a heavy object falling into water.
For a large plunge, use ドボン or ザブン. ぱしゃっと is only a light splash or a shutter click.
Using it for hard objects colliding.
This word is for liquid or a camera shutter, not wood or metal impacts.
Examples
Examples
カメラで風景をぱしゃっと撮った。
カメラ で ふうけい を ぱしゃっと とった。
I snapped a picture of the scenery with a click.
LiteralDescribes the quick sound of a camera shutter.
車が通り過ぎたとき、水たまりから水がぱしゃっとはねた。
くるま が とおりすぎた とき、 みずたまり から みず が ぱしゃっと はねた。
When the car passed by, water splashed from the puddle.
LiteralIndicates a brief splashing sound of water.
子供がプールでぱしゃっと水をかけた。
こども が プール で ぱしゃっと みず を かけた。
The child splashed water in the pool.
LiteralDescribes a small but sudden splashing action.
スマホを取り出して、美味しそうなケーキをぱしゃっと撮影した。
スマホ を とりだして、 おいしそうな ケーキ を ぱしゃっと さつえい した。
I took out my phone and snapped a photo of the delicious-looking cake.
LiteralUsed for the sound effect of taking a quick photo.
長靴を履いて、水たまりをぱしゃっと踏んだ。
ながぐつ を はいて、 みずたまり を ぱしゃっと ふんだ。
Wearing rain boots, I stepped into the puddle with a splash.
LiteralIndicates the sound of a footstep in a shallow puddle.
Similar Words
パシャリ
pashari
This word mimics the sound of a camera shutter clicking or a light splash of water. A camera click or light splash with a slightly bouncing ending.
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. Larger, repeated splashing rather than one short sound.
かしゃっ
kasha
A sharp, mechanical clicking sound, such as a camera shutter snapping or a lock engaging. A heavier mechanical click, often an analog shutter or a lock.
Questions
Can I use ぱしゃっと for clapping?
No. Clapping is usually パチパチ. ぱしゃっと is for a splash of water or a camera shutter.
How is ぱしゃっと different from ばしゃっと?
The ba form usually sounds heavier and wetter. The pa form is lighter and shorter.
Is this word formal?
No. It belongs in everyday speech, novels, and casual writing, not academic prose.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2630150
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ザブン (zabun)
- Next entry
- じわっと (jiwatto)