Entry
ぺったり
pettari
Describes something that sticks closely and flatly to a surface without gaps or volume.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
The word ぺったり (pettari) is used to describe a state where something clings tightly to a surface in a flat manner, losing its volume or thickness. Common examples include hair plastered to the forehead from sweat, wet clothes clinging flat to the body, a sticker applied smoothly without air bubbles, or someone sitting directly flat on the floor.
- Sticking flatly to a surface (e.g., hair, clothes, stickers)
- Sitting completely flat against the floor
Sense Map
Clinging & Flat (Hair, Clothes, Stickers)
Used when an object like hair, wet clothing, or a sticker clings tightly and smoothly to a surface, emphasizing the lack of volume.
髪がおでこにぺったり張りつく。
Flat Posture (Sitting)
Describes a posture where one sits directly and flatly on the floor, often with legs spread or fully making contact with the ground.
床にぺったりと座る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぺったり（と）+ verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action of sticking or sitting. The 'to' particle is optional but common in written Japanese.
ぺったり + verb
ぺったりする
Used as a verb to indicate a change in state, particularly hair or fabric becoming flat and losing its fluffiness.
How to Use
Common Phrases
髪がぺったりする
hair becomes flat/limp
床にぺったりと座る
to sit flat on the floor
シールをぺったり貼る
to stick a label/sticker flatly
服がぺったりくっつく
clothes cling flatly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hair and Clothing | neutral to negative | Often used to describe limp hair or sweaty clothes, which usually carries a mildly uncomfortable nuance. |
| Posture | neutral | Used neutrally to describe sitting fully flat on the ground (ぺったり座る). |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
べったり べったり / similar | Used when something is heavily smeared, sticky, or messy (like thick paint or mud), or for an overly dependent relationship. | Pettari focuses on a clean, thin flatness, while bettari involves a messy, wet, or heavy adhesion. | 服にペンキがべったりつく。 |
ぴったり ぴったり / similar | Used to describe a perfect fit (no gaps in size/timing), or stopping abruptly. | Pittari emphasizes accuracy or a snug fit in size, whereas pettari emphasizes physical flatness against a surface. | サイズがぴったりの服。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぺったり to say a shirt fits perfectly.
Use ぴったり (pittari) for a perfect fit. ぺったり implies the shirt is clinging flat to your skin, perhaps because it's soaking wet.
Using ぺったり for sticky hands after eating candy.
Use べたべた (betabeta) or べったり (bettari) for messy, gross stickiness.
Examples
Examples
汗で髪がおでこにぺったり張りついている。
あせで かみが おでこに ぺったり はりついている。
His hair is plastered flat against his forehead from sweat.
VisualDescribes hair that has lost its volume and is sticking flat due to moisture.
彼女は床にぺったりと座ってテレビを見ている。
かのじょは ゆかに ぺったりと すわって テレビを みている。
She is sitting flat on the floor watching TV.
VisualIndicates a sitting posture making full, flat contact with the floor.
ノートにシールをぺったりと貼った。
ノートに シールを ぺったりと はった。
I stuck the sticker flatly onto the notebook.
LiteralEmphasizes that the sticker was applied smoothly without air bubbles.
雨に濡れて、服が体にぺったりくっついた。
あめに ぬれて、ふくが からだに ぺったり くっついた。
Wet from the rain, the clothes clung flatly to my body.
VisualClothes losing their looseness and clinging firmly due to water.
帽子をかぶっていたので、髪がぺったりしてしまった。
ぼうしを かぶっていたので、かみが ぺったり してしまった。
Because I was wearing a hat, my hair went completely flat.
LiteralShows the change of state 'becoming flat' using the suru verb form.
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. Sticking, but implying something thick, wet, messy, or overly dependent.
ぴったり
pittari
Describes things that fit perfectly, match exactly, or an action that stops completely. Fitting perfectly without gaps, exact in size or timing.
Questions
Is ぺったり only used for wet things?
No. While wet hair or sweaty clothes often become 'pettari' (flat), you can also use it for dry things, like smoothly applying a sticker so there are no air bubbles.
What is the difference between ぺったり and べったり?
They both mean sticking, but ぺったり (pe) sounds lighter and thinner, emphasizing flatness. べったり (be) sounds heavier and thicker, emphasizing messy or gross stickiness.
Can I use ぺったり for someone's personality?
No. While 'べったり' (bettari) can mean clinging dependently to someone, 'ぺったり' (pettari) is generally restricted to physical objects and posture.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1632620
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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