Entry
ぺたり
petari
Describes the action of slapping a flat object completely onto a surface, or flopping down flatly onto the ground.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word illustrates two primary images: first, the firm and seamless application of a flat, thin object (like a sticker, stamp, or poster) against a surface. Second, the action of losing energy and dropping or sitting completely flat on the floor or ground.
- Sticking a flat object onto a surface
- Flopping down onto the floor
Sense Map
Sticking Flatly
The action of firmly slapping or pressing a thin, flat object like a stamp or sticker so it makes full contact with a surface.
シールをぺたりと貼る。
Flopping Down
The action of dropping or sitting completely flat on the ground, often due to exhaustion or surprise, losing all energy.
床にぺたりと座り込む。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぺたりと + Verb
Functions as an adverb modifying the action to describe it being done in a flat, complete, or flopping manner.
ぺたりと + Stick/Sit
Most commonly pairs with verbs like 貼る (to paste/stick) or 座る (to sit) to express direct physical contact.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぺたりと貼る
to stick on flatly
ぺたりと座る
to flop down and sit
ぺたりとくっつく
to stick closely together
床にぺたりと
flat on the floor
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Applying objects | Neutral | Highlights that the object (like a poster or stamp) covers the surface evenly without peeling edges. |
| Sitting or collapsing | Neutral to slightly negative | Implies the person has no energy left, sinking straight down to the ground, much like a tired child. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
べったり べったり / similar | Use べったり for things that are intensely sticky, greasy, or hard to remove, as well as for describing overly dependent or clinging behavior. | べったり implies a strong, messy adhesiveness (like gum or thick mud) or emotional clinginess, whereas ぺたり just denotes a clean, flat physical contact. | 服にガムがべったりつく。 |
どっかり どっかり / similar | Use どっかり when describing a person or heavy object plopping down forcefully and heavily, taking up space. | どっかり emphasizes mass and a heavy impact, while ぺたり emphasizes the loss of energy and flat contact with the ground. | ソファにどっかりと座る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぺたり to describe the stickiness of superglue or honey.
Use words like べたべた or べったり for chemical stickiness or wet adhesiveness. ぺたり is strictly for 'flat surface contact' like applying a dry sticker.
Using ぺたり to describe a heavy person crashing down onto a chair.
Use どっかり (dokkari) or どすん (dosun) for heavy impact. ぺたり gives the impression of someone limp or light flopping down on the floor.
Examples
Examples
封筒に切手をぺたりと貼った。
ふうとう に きって を ぺたり と はった。
I slapped a stamp flat onto the envelope.
LiteralShows the flat, complete contact of the stamp on paper.
一日中歩いて疲れたので、床にぺたりと座り込んだ。
いちにちじゅう あるいて つかれた ので、 ゆか に ぺたり と すわりこんだ。
I was tired from walking all day, so I flopped down flat onto the floor.
VisualDescribes losing energy and dropping the body flat onto the floor.
子供が自分の顔にシールをぺたりと貼って遊んでいる。
こども が じぶん の かお に しーる を ぺたり と はって あそんでいる。
The child is playing by slapping a sticker onto their own face.
VisualShows the action of lightly slapping a flat object on.
転んだ拍子に、地面にぺたりと手をついた。
ころんだ ひょうし に、 じめん に ぺたり と て を ついた。
When I fell, I put my hands flat against the ground.
VisualThe palms made full, flat contact with the ground.
壁にポスターをぺたりと押し付けた。
かべ に ぽすたー を ぺたり と おしつけた。
I pressed the poster flat against the wall.
LiteralEmphasizes that there are no gaps between the poster and the wall.
Similar Words
べったり
bettari
Describes something sticking firmly without gaps, applying a thick layer, sitting down heavily, or being emotionally dependent and clingy. Used for sticky, messy adhesion or emotional dependency.
どっかり
dokkari
Describes the action of sitting down heavily or placing a heavy object down solidly. Emphasizes a heavy mass plopping down.
ぺたぺた
petapeta
Petapeta describes the pitter-patter of bare feet, the action of repeatedly pasting or stamping things, or a slightly sticky texture.
Questions
Is ぺたり (petari) the same as べったり (bettari)?
No. ぺたり focuses on flat surface contact (like a sticker), while べったり emphasizes strong, messy stickiness (like gum) or being overly clinging to a person.
Can I use ぺたり for walking barefoot?
No, walking barefoot makes a repeated sound, so you should use the repeated form ぺたぺた (petapeta) instead.
Does ぺたり imply something is wet?
Not inherently. It refers to the physical geometry of flat contact, not moisture. It's perfectly fine for dry paper items.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2549400
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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