Entry
ピンポン
pinpon
A sound word representing a two-tone doorbell chime or the 'ding-dong' of a correct answer.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A versatile sound word that mimics the two-tone chime of a doorbell or intercom. By extension, it is frequently used as a noun or verb to mean the doorbell itself or the act of ringing it. It is also the standard sound effect used in Japanese quizzes to indicate a correct answer.
- Doorbell or intercom chime
- Sign of a correct answer
Sense Map
Doorbell / Intercom
The sound of a doorbell, an intercom, or the doorbell device itself.
玄関のピンポンが鳴る。
Correct Answer
The sound effect indicating that a given answer is correct.
クイズでピンポーンと鳴る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ピンポンが鳴る
ピンポンを押す
Used as a noun referring to the physical doorbell button.
ピンポンする
Used as a suru-verb meaning the action of ringing someone's doorbell.
ピンポンと鳴る
ピンポン！
How to Use
Common Phrases
ピンポンが鳴る
the doorbell rings
ピンポンを押す
to press the doorbell
ピンポンと鳴る
to chime ding-dong
ピンポンする
to ring someone's doorbell
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Visiting a house | neutral | The most common and casual way to describe ringing a doorbell when visiting someone. |
| Quiz games | positive | Used brightly to confirm someone guessed correctly, often while making an 'O' shape with the arms. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぶっぶー ぶっぶー / opposite | Use to indicate a wrong or incorrect answer. | Not used for correct answers. | ブッブー、残念！ |
ちん ちん / nearby | Use for the sound of a small bell or a microwave finishing. | Not a two-tone doorbell chime. | レンジがチンと鳴る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'pinpon' for phone ringtones.
Use 'ririn' or 'purururu' for telephones. 'Pinpon' is specifically for doorbells.
Using 'pinpon' for a school bell.
School chimes are described as 'kin-kon-kan-kon', not 'pinpon'.
Examples
Examples
玄関のピンポンが鳴った。
げんかんのピンポンがなった。
The front doorbell rang.
VisualDescribes the sound of the doorbell ringing.
誰かがピンポンを押した。
だれかがピンポンをおした。
Someone pressed the doorbell.
LiteralUsed as a noun referring to the doorbell button.
ピンポンして友達を呼んだ。
ピンポンしてともだちをよんだ。
I rang the doorbell to call my friend.
LiteralUsed as a verb for the action of visiting and ringing the bell.
ピンポン、大正解です！
ピンポン、だいせいかいです！
Ding ding, exactly right!
FigurativeUsed metaphorically to celebrate a correct answer.
正解のピンポーンがスタジオに響いた。
せいかいのピンポーンがスタジオにひびいた。
The correct-answer chime echoed in the studio.
LiteralDescribes the actual correct-answer sound effect in a TV show.
Similar Words
ブッブー
bubbuu
The buzzing sound of a wrong answer buzzer or a short, loud car horn. Used as the sound effect for an incorrect answer.
チン
chin
A short "ding" sound of a small bell or timer, most commonly used as a casual verb meaning to heat food in a microwave. The single ping of a microwave or small bell, not a two-tone chime like pinpon.
Questions
Does 'pinpon' only mean the sound?
No. In modern Japanese, it is very common to use it as a noun to refer to the actual doorbell, such as saying 'press the pinpon'.
Can I use it as a verb?
Yes, by adding 'suru' (pinpon suru), it becomes a verb meaning to ring someone's doorbell.
Why is it associated with correct answers?
In Japanese TV game shows, the buzzer for a correct answer historically used the same 'ding-dong' sound as a doorbell, making it the cultural standard for 'correct'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2853600
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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