Entry
パタッと
patatto
Describes a light thud or the sudden and complete cessation of an action.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes the light, flat sound of something relatively thin dropping or snapping shut. Figuratively, it is widely used to express the sudden, abrupt, and total halting of an ongoing action, communication, or flow.
- Sound of a light object falling or closing
- An abrupt and total stop
Sense Map
Light Impact Sound
The sound of a relatively light, flat object falling or closing shut.
本をパタッと閉じる。
Sudden Stop
An abrupt and complete halt to an ongoing action, flow, or communication.
連絡がパタッと途絶える。
Usage Note
How to Use
パタッと + Verb
This adverb is placed directly before verbs indicating stopping, falling, or ceasing to highlight the abruptness.
How to Use
Common Phrases
パタッと止まる
to stop suddenly
パタッと倒れる
to collapse without resistance
パタッと途絶える
to cease entirely (e.g., contact)
パタッと閉じる
to snap shut lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Light objects falling | neutral | Typically used for objects like books, notebooks, or thin boards. |
| Sudden cessation | neutral/negative | Often expresses slight surprise at how abruptly an ongoing event stopped. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ばたっと ばたっと / opposite | Use for a heavier, louder impact sound or a larger object crashing down. | ばたっと implies a heavy object or a person crashing down forcefully, whereas パタッと is much lighter and flatter. | ばたっと倒れる |
ぴたっと ぴたっと / similar | Use when something stops perfectly in place or fits tightly without gaps. | ぴたっと focuses on the exactness, tightness, or precision of stopping, rather than just an abrupt end. | ぴたっと止まる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using パタッと to describe a car crash or a heavy boulder falling.
Use words like 'gachan' or 'batatto' for heavy, forceful collisions.
Using パタッと to mean a sticker was placed perfectly on a wall.
Use 'pitatto' to describe things sticking tightly or fitting perfectly.
Examples
Examples
疲れてベッドにパタッと倒れ込んだ。
つかれてベッドにパタッとたおれこんだ。
I fell flat onto the bed from exhaustion.
LiteralDescribes a body falling limply without resistance.
さっきまで吹いていた風がパタッと止んだ。
さっきまでふいていたかぜがパタッとやんだ。
The wind that was blowing until a moment ago suddenly stopped.
LiteralDescribes a total halt of a continuous flow.
卒業してから、彼からの連絡がパタッと途絶えた。
そつぎょうしてから、かれからのれんらくがパタッととだえた。
Since graduation, contact from him suddenly ceased entirely.
FigurativeUsed when smooth communication suddenly disappears.
彼女はノートをパタッと閉じて立ち上がった。
かのじょはノートをパタッととじてたちあがった。
She snapped her notebook shut and stood up.
LiteralThe sound of a thin, flat object being closed quickly.
雨が降り出すと、客足がパタッと止まった。
あめがふりだすと、きゃくあしがパタッととまった。
As soon as it started raining, customer traffic stopped dead.
FigurativeShows a sudden drop in the flow of people to zero.
Similar Words
ばたっと
batatto
The heavy sound of something flat falling with a thud, or an action coming to a sudden, complete stop. For heavier objects falling or crashing down forcefully.
ぴたっと
pitatto
ぴたっと (pitatto) describes a sudden and complete stop, surfaces sticking tightly with no gaps, or things matching exactly. Emphasizes stopping perfectly in place or fitting tightly.
ぱったり
pattari
Pattari describes something stopping abruptly, meeting someone unexpectedly, or a light object falling flat.
Questions
What is the difference between パタッと and ぱったり?
Both mean to stop suddenly, but パタッと emphasizes the instant action or quick sound, while ぱったり focuses slightly more on the resulting empty state after the stop.
Can I use it for a person falling over?
Yes, 'patatto taoreru' is used when someone collapses limply from exhaustion like a lifeless object, without a violent crash.
Is this word formal?
No, it's a casual spoken expression very common in daily conversation.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2838264
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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