Entry
ぺったんこ
pettanko
Describes something that has been crushed flat or has completely lost its volume and air.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the state of an object that has been completely flattened by external force (like a crushed can or box) or something that has lost its internal air or volume (like a flat tire or flattened hair).
- completely crushed flat
- deflated or lacking volume
Sense Map
Crushed flat
Used when objects like cans or cardboard boxes are completely squashed and flattened.
空き缶をぺったんこに潰す
Deflated / Lacking volume
Used when things like tires lose their air, or hair loses its volume and becomes flat.
髪がぺったんこになる
Usage Note
How to Use
ぺったんこになる
The most common way to say something becomes flat or deflates.
ぺったんこに潰れる
Emphasizes that something was crushed flat by a strong physical force.
ぺったんこの + noun
Uses pettanko as a noun to modify another noun, describing a flattened object.
ぺったんこな + noun
Uses pettanko as a na-adjective to modify a noun.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぺったんこになる
to become flat / deflated
ぺったんこに潰れる
to be crushed flat
髪の毛がぺったんこ
hair lacking volume / flat hair
タイヤがぺったんこ
completely flat tire
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crushed objects (cans, boxes) | neutral | Describes physical objects that have been forcibly flattened to save space or by accident. |
| Deflated things (tires, hair) | neutral | Describes things that have lost their internal air pressure or natural fluffiness. |
| Physical features | negative | Used colloquially as slang to describe a flat chest; this usage can be derogatory. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐしゃり ぐしゃり / similar | When focusing on the sound or action of something being violently smashed or losing its shape. | Pettanko focuses on the resulting flat state, while gushari emphasizes the messy or violent process of being crushed. | 箱がぐしゃりと潰れた。 |
のっぺり のっぺり / contrast | When describing a surface (like a face) that is completely smooth and featureless. | Pettanko means lacking thickness or volume due to being flattened, whereas nopperi means lacking 3D features or texture on a surface. | のっぺりとした顔。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe naturally flat terrain or flat roads.
Use taira (平ら) for flat landscapes or surfaces. Pettanko implies a loss of volume from an original 3D state.
Using it for things that are naturally thin, like a single sheet of paper.
It should be used for things that originally had volume, air, or shape but were flattened or deflated.
Examples
Examples
ダンボールをぺったんこに潰して捨てた。
ダンボール を ぺったんこ に つぶして すてた。
I crushed the cardboard box flat and threw it away.
VisualFocuses on making the box physically flat to save space.
自転車のタイヤがぺったんこになっている。
じてんしゃ の タイヤ が ぺったんこ に なっている。
The bicycle tire is completely flat.
VisualDescribes a tire that has lost all its air pressure.
帽子をかぶっていたので、髪がぺったんこだ。
ぼうし を かぶっていた ので、 かみ が ぺったんこ だ。
My hair is flat because I was wearing a hat.
VisualA very common expression for hat hair when it loses its volume.
お尻で踏んでしまって、ケーキがぺったんこになった。
おしり で ふんで しまって、 ケーキ が ぺったんこ に なった。
I accidentally sat on the cake and it got squashed flat.
VisualShows a soft object losing its shape completely due to accidental pressure.
満員電車でカバンがぺったんこに押し潰された。
まんいんでんしゃ で カバン が ぺったんこ に おしつぶされた。
My bag was crushed flat in the crowded train.
VisualEmphasizes the strong external pressure that removed all space inside the bag.
Similar Words
ぐしゃり
gushari
Describes the sound or state of being smashed messily.
のっぺり
nopperi
Describes something that is completely flat, lacking in distinct features, bumps, contours, or depth. Describes a surface that is flat and featureless.
ぺたん
petan
Describes a single, flat contact with a surface, such as sticking something flatly or sitting down on the floor.
Questions
What is the difference between pettanko and pechanko?
They have the exact same meaning and are used interchangeably. Pechanko is just a slight pronunciation variation.
Can I use pettanko for flat terrain?
No, pettanko implies a loss of volume or something being crushed. For flat land or roads, use taira (平ら).
Is pettanko a polite word?
It is a colloquial and casual word. While harmless when talking about objects or hair, using it to describe a person's physical features can be offensive.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009680
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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