Entry
ぺこん
pekon
Pekon or pekori describes the hollow popping sound of thin metal or plastic denting, or the quick, light action of bowing one's head.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, this word serves two main purposes. First, it mimics the sound of thin, hollow materials like tin cans or plastic bottles denting and possibly springing back. Second, it describes a person making a quick, light bow or bob of the head, often as a casual greeting or a mild apology.
- denting sound
- quick bow
Sense Map
Denting Sound
Describes the sound of thin materials like cans or plastic when they are pressed or dented inward.
缶がぺこんと凹む。
Quick Bow
Describes the action of lowering one's head or bowing quickly, often as a casual greeting or light apology.
ぺこりと頭を下げる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぺこんと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action occurs, such as denting or bending.
ぺこりと + verb
Functions similarly, but 'pekori' is favored almost exclusively when describing the human action of bowing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぺこんと凹む
to dent with a light hollow sound
ぺこりと頭を下げる
to lower one's head quickly
ぺこりとお辞儀をする
to give a quick, light bow
ぺこんと音がする
to make a hollow denting sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Plastic bottles or cans denting | neutral | Reflects the hollow, elastic sound of thin material deforming. |
| Greeting or apologizing | positive | Gives an impression of friendliness, lightness, and lack of tension. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴょこん ぴょこん / similar | Used for movements that appear bouncy or spring-like, such as a quick head pop. | While ぺこん/ぺこり is simply a quick bowing motion, ぴょこん suggests a rhythmic, bouncy, or jumping movement. | ぴょこんと頭を下げる。 |
ぺたん ぺたん / similar | Used for the sound of a flat object making firm contact with a surface. | ぺたん is used when a flat surface drops or sticks to something, unlike ぺこん which implies the caving in or denting of a hollow object. | 地面にぺたんと座る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'pekori' for a very serious or formal apology.
'Pekori' has a casual, lighthearted tone, making it inappropriate for serious situations that require a deep, sincere bow.
Using 'pekon' to describe a heavy object being completely crushed.
'Pekon' only applies to thin materials (like empty cans or plastic bottles) suffering light dents, not heavy destruction.
Examples
Examples
空のペットボトルを踏んだら、ぺこんと凹んだ。
そらのペットボトルをふんだら、ぺこんとへこんだ。
When I stepped on the empty plastic bottle, it dented with a hollow pop.
LiteralDescribes the denting sound of a hollow object like a plastic bottle.
男の子は「ごめんなさい」と言って、ぺこりと頭を下げた。
おとこのこは「ごめんなさい」といって、ぺこりとあたまをさげた。
The boy said 'I'm sorry' and gave a quick, light bow of his head.
VisualUsing 'pekori' for a quick, light bowing motion.
カバンの中でノートが押されて、表紙がぺこんと曲がっていた。
カバンのなかでノートがおされて、ひょうしがぺこんとまがっていた。
The notebook got pressed inside the bag, and the cover was slightly dented and bent.
LiteralCan also be used for thin flat items like book covers being slightly bent.
ドアを開けてくれた人に、彼女はぺこんとお辞儀をした。
ドアをあけてくれたひとに、かのじょはぺこんとおじぎをした。
She gave a quick bow to the person who opened the door for her.
VisualA friendly and casual greeting gesture in everyday life.
ぶつかった拍子に、自転車の泥除けがぺこんとへこんでしまった。
ぶつかったひょうしに、じてんしゃのどろよけがぺこんとへこんでしまった。
The bicycle's mudguard dented with a pop when it bumped into something.
LiteralShows a thin metal part getting dented from a light impact.
Similar Words
ぴょこん
pyokon
ぴょこん describes a light, quick bouncing movement, abruptly popping up, or a swift, casual bow of the head. Both can describe a bowing motion, but ぴょこん (pyokon) suggests a bouncy or jumping quality, whereas ぺこん/ぺこり (pekon/pekori) is just a simple quick lowering of the head.
ぺたん
petan
Describes a single, flat contact with a surface, such as sticking something flatly or sitting down on the floor. ぺたん (petan) focuses on flat surface contact (like slapping down or sitting flat), rather than a hollow inward dent like ぺこん (pekon).
Questions
What is the difference between ぺこん (pekon) and ぺこり (pekori)?
They are very similar, but 'pekori' is used almost exclusively for the human action of bowing, whereas 'pekon' is used for both bowing and the sound of thin objects denting.
Can I use ぺこん for a car crash?
Only if the impact was very light and just caused a small dent in the thin metal body. It is not used for major crashes.
Is it polite to use 'pekori' in a business setting?
The gesture itself is casual. A light nod to a colleague is fine, but describing a bow meant for a VIP client as a 'pekori' sounds too casual and slightly disrespectful.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2014150
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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