Entry
ぱしぱし
pashipashi
Describes the sound of repeated, light but sharp smacking, slapping, or snapping.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word expresses the sound of repeated light taps, slaps, or smacks that produce a sharp, dry sound. It is commonly used when someone lightly slaps their own cheeks to wake up, repeatedly brushes dirt off clothes with their hand, or when small things like branches snap against a window.
- Repeated light slapping or smacking (e.g., face, shoulder)
- Sharp, dry sounds of objects hitting a surface repeatedly
Sense Map
Physical Tapping
Lightly slapping, tapping, or smacking something repeatedly, such as one's cheeks, a friend's shoulder, or brushing off clothing.
頬をぱしぱし叩く
Impact Sounds
The sound of small objects repeatedly hitting a surface with a dry, sharp noise.
枝が窓にぱしぱしと当たる
Usage Note
How to Use
ぱしぱしと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action (such as hitting or striking) to show it is done with a repeated sharp, smacking sound. The particle と emphasizes the sound.
ぱしぱし + verb
A casual usage where the particle と is omitted, retaining the same meaning of a repeated tapping or smacking action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
頬をぱしぱし叩く
to lightly smack one's cheeks (to wake up)
肩をぱしぱし叩く
to repeatedly tap someone's shoulder
ぱしぱしと当たる
to hit repeatedly with a sharp sound
砂をぱしぱしと払う
to smack/brush off sand from clothing
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Smacking someone's body (cheek, shoulder) | Neutral to playful | Often used in casual interactions like playfully hitting a friend or trying to energize oneself. It does not convey real pain. |
| Dusting off clothes | Neutral | Describes the sharp sound made when repeatedly hitting fabric with an open hand to dislodge dirt. |
| Objects hitting surfaces | Neutral | Describes the dry, rapid tapping sound of things like twigs, hail, or light debris striking a hard surface. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱしっ ぱしっ / similar | Use when a sharp slap, snap, or hit happens exactly once. | ぱしぱし implies repetition (smacking multiple times), whereas パシッ is a single, sharp impact. | 手をパシッと叩く |
ぱちぱち ぱちぱち / similar | Use for the sound of clapping hands or crackling fire. | パチパチ conveys a popping or crackling sound (like fire or applause), whereas ぱしぱし emphasizes the dry thud or smack of a hand or object hitting a surface. | 焚き火がパチパチ鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぱしぱし to describe a heavy, damaging, or violent punch.
It is strictly for light, surface-level smacking. For heavy impacts, use words like ガツン (gatsun) or ドカン (dokan).
Using it for a single sharp slap.
If the slap happens only once, you should use パシッ (pashi) instead.
Examples
Examples
眠気を覚ますために、自分の顔をぱしぱしと叩いた。
ねむけをさますために、じぶんのかおをぱしぱしとたたいた。
I lightly slapped my cheeks repeatedly to wake myself up.
LiteralDescribes the physical action of light, repeated smacking without inflicting pain.
彼はふざけて友人の肩をぱしぱし叩いた。
かれはふざけてゆうじんのかたをぱしぱしたたいた。
He playfully smacked his friend's shoulder repeatedly.
LiteralLight, repeated smacking that shows familiarity or playfulness.
強い風で、小枝が窓にぱしぱしと当たっている。
つよいかぜで、こえだがまどにぱしぱしとあたっている。
Due to the strong wind, twigs are continuously snapping against the window.
VisualFocuses on the sharp, dry acoustic sound caused by small objects repeatedly hitting a hard surface.
犬がうれしそうに、尻尾を床にぱしぱしと打ちつけている。
いぬがうれしそうに、しっぽをゆかにぱしぱしとうちつけている。
The dog is happily thumping its tail against the floor with a repeated snapping sound.
VisualThe rhythmic, smacking sound of a dog's tail hitting the floor.
服についた砂をぱしぱしと払った。
ふくについたすなをぱしぱしとはらった。
I repeatedly slapped my clothes to brush off the sand.
LiteralRepeated slaps of the hand against fabric to knock off dirt.
Similar Words
パシッ
pashi
パシッ (pashi) describes the sharp, dry, and abrupt sound of a physical impact, a slap, or a rigid object snapping. A single, sharp slap or snap, compared to the repeated action of pashipashi.
パチッ
pachi
A word describing a short, sharp sound like a snap or crackle, or the sudden action of eyes snapping wide open.
パチパチ
pachipachi
Represents light, sharp, repeated sounds like a crackling fire, clapping hands, or the visual action of blinking. Also a repeated sound, but used for applause or crackling fire rather than smacking a surface.
Questions
Does ぱしぱし imply someone is in pain?
No, it usually refers to light, superficial smacking that is harmless, such as trying to wake yourself up or casually tapping a friend.
What is the difference between ぱしぱし and パチパチ (pachipachi)?
パチパチ is typically for clapping or the crackle of fire. ぱしぱし focuses specifically on the sound of something striking a surface with a dry, slapping noise.
Can I use ぱしぱし for a loud explosion?
No. It is only meant for small, crisp, repeated sounds. Explosions use different words like ドカン (dokan).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2827651
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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