Entry
ピチャッ
picha
ピチャッ describes the short, sharp sound of a small splash of liquid or a quick, slightly wet smack.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia captures a brief and abrupt impact involving liquid or wetness. It is commonly used for the sound of water or mud splashing lightly, a wet object dropping, or a sharp slap against bare skin. The small 'tsu' (ッ) at the end indicates that the sound stops suddenly.
- short splash of liquid
- wet slap or smack
Sense Map
Small Splash
The abrupt sound of a small amount of liquid splashing or spattering.
泥水がピチャッと跳ねる
Wet Smack
The sharp sound of a slap or a wet object hitting a surface.
濡れたタオルがピチャッと落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
ピチャッと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action happening with a sharp splashing or slapping sound.
ピチャッと鳴る
Means to make a short splashing or smacking sound.
How to Use
Common Phrases
水がピチャッと跳ねる
water splashes sharply
泥がピチャッと飛ぶ
mud spatters abruptly
ピチャッと落ちる
to fall with a wet smack
ピチャッと叩く
to slap with a wet sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Small liquid impacts | neutral | Highlights the suddenness and small scale of the splash. |
| Physical slap | neutral | Often implies skin-to-skin contact or a wet object hitting a surface, rather than a hard, dry impact. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴちゃん ぴちゃん / nearby | Use when the splash sound lingers or resonates slightly, like a dropping water bead. | ピチャッ is more abrupt and cuts off immediately, while ぴちゃん has a resonant ending. | 水滴がぴちゃんと落ちる |
ぱしゃっ ぱしゃっ / nearby | Use for a louder or larger splash, such as stepping heavily into a puddle. | ピチャッ implies a smaller amount of liquid and a lighter impact compared to パシャッ. | 水面をパシャッと叩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a heavy splash like jumping into a pool.
Use words like ドボン or ザブン for large splashes. ピチャッ is for small, sharp splashes.
Using it for a completely dry, hard slap.
Use パシッ or バシッ for a dry snap or slap. ピチャッ usually implies a wet or softer surface impact.
Examples
Examples
水たまりを踏んで、泥水がピチャッと跳ねた。
水(みず)たまりを 踏(ふ)んで、 泥水(どろみず)が ピチャッと 跳(は)ねた。
I stepped in a puddle, and muddy water spattered sharply.
LiteralUsed for a sudden, small splash.
魚が水面でピチャッと音を立てた。
魚(さかな)が 水面(すいめん)で ピチャッと 音(おと)を 立(た)てた。
A fish made a short splashing sound at the water's surface.
LiteralImplies a very small amount of water.
濡れたタオルが床にピチャッと落ちた。
濡(ぬ)れた タオルが 床(ゆか)に ピチャッと 落(お)ちた。
The wet towel dropped onto the floor with a wet smack.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a wet object hitting something.
彼はふざけて友人の背中をピチャッと叩いた。
彼(かれ)は ふざけて 友人(ゆうじん)の 背中(せなか)を ピチャッと 叩(たた)いた。
He playfully slapped his friend's back with a smack.
LiteralA light, non-heavy slap sound on the skin.
ソースが服にピチャッと飛んできた。
ソースが 服(ふく)に ピチャッと 飛(と)んで きた。
Sauce spattered abruptly onto my clothes.
LiteralCan also be used for small amounts of thick liquids.
Similar Words
Questions
What is the difference between picha and pashat?
Picha is used for smaller, sharper splashes, while pashat implies a larger splash or more water being displaced.
Can I use picha for a slap on the face?
Yes, if it has a slightly wet or sharp skin-to-skin sound, but it is often used playfully or for light smacks rather than heavy blows.
Why does it end with a small tsu (ッ)?
The small tsu indicates that the sound stops abruptly, emphasizing the sharpness of the impact.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2869847
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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