Entry
ピタピタ
pitapita
ピタピタ is a Japanese mimetic word that describes a repeated light patting motion, something sticking closely to a surface, or liquid gently sloshing.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, ピタピタ covers a few different but related sensory experiences. It can describe a repeated, light tapping or patting sound, such as bare feet walking on a hard floor or patting lotion onto your face. It also describes flat, often wet objects sticking closely to a surface, like sweaty clothes clinging to the skin. Finally, it can represent the gentle sloshing sound of a small amount of liquid in a container.
- light patting/tapping
- sticking closely (often wet)
- gentle sloshing
Sense Map
Light Patting or Tapping
Describes a light, repeated patting or tapping motion or sound, like bare feet on the floor.
床をピタピタ歩く
Sticking Closely
Describes flat, often damp or wet objects adhering firmly to a surface.
服がピタピタくっつく
Sloshing Liquid
Describes the sound of a small amount of liquid gently sloshing or splashing.
水がピタピタ鳴る
Usage Note
How to Use
ピタピタ（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, such as walking, patting, or sticking.
ピタピタする
Used as a verb to express the state of something being clingy, sticky, or patting repeatedly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ピタピタと歩く
to walk with a patting sound (like bare feet)
ピタピタ（と）くっつく
to stick closely
肌にピタピタする
to cling to the skin
ピタピタ（と）叩く
to pat lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Footsteps | neutral | Describes the light, slightly sticky sound of bare feet on hardwood floors. |
| Wet clothes | negative | Often used to describe the uncomfortable feeling of sweaty or rain-soaked clothes clinging flatly to the body. |
| Skincare | neutral | Commonly used to describe the motion of gently patting toner or lotion onto the face for absorption. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴったり ぴったり / nearby | When something fits perfectly, matches exactly, or stops suddenly. | ピタピタ is not for perfect sizing, but rather for the physical state of sticking to a surface or patting. | ぴったり合う |
ひたひた ひたひた / nearby | When there is just enough liquid to cover an object, or waves lapping. | ピタピタ focuses on the sloshing sound/motion of a little liquid hitting the container, not submerging an object. | ひたひたの水 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ピタピタ to say clothes fit perfectly.
Use ぴったり (pittari) for clothes that are the perfect size.
Using it to describe a heavy splashing sound in a pool.
For heavy splashing or large amounts of liquid, use words like ざぶざぶ (zabuzabu) or ばしゃばしゃ (bashabasha).
Examples
Examples
子供が裸足で床をピタピタと歩いている。
こども が はだし で ゆか を ぴたぴた と あるいて いる。
The child is walking barefoot on the floor with a patting sound.
VisualDescribes the light sound of bare feet.
汗をかいて、シャツが肌にピタピタくっつく。
あせ を かいて、シャツ が はだ に ぴたぴた くっつく。
Sweating caused the shirt to stick closely to the skin.
LiteralDescribes a flat, clinging state caused by moisture.
彼女は化粧水を顔にピタピタとなじませた。
かのじょ は けしょうすい を かお に ぴたぴた と なじませた。
She gently patted the lotion onto her face to help it absorb.
VisualA repeated light patting motion used in skincare.
水筒の中で少しの水がピタピタ鳴っている。
すいとう の なか で すこし の みず が ぴたぴた なって いる。
A little water is gently sloshing inside the water bottle.
LiteralLight sound of a small amount of water hitting the container.
犬の足音が廊下からピタピタと聞こえる。
いぬ の あしおと が ろうか から ぴたぴた と きこえる。
The patting sound of a dog's footsteps can be heard from the hallway.
LiteralPet footsteps without shoes on a hard floor.
Similar Words
ぴったり
pittari
Describes things that fit perfectly, match exactly, or an action that stops completely. Means a perfect fit or sudden stop, unlike the repeated motion of pitapita.
ひたひた
hitahita
It describes a liquid level just barely covering a submerged object, or something steadily and inexorably approaching. Used for liquid just covering an object, not for light sloshing sounds.
Questions
What is the difference between ピタピタ (pitapita) and ぴったり (pittari)?
ピタピタ focuses on a repeated patting motion or the physical state of being stuck flatly to a surface (often wet). ぴったり is used when something fits perfectly, stops abruptly, or matches exactly without gaps.
Can I use ピタピタ for a dog walking?
Yes, it can perfectly describe the light, patting sound of a dog's or cat's bare paws walking across a hard floor.
Is ピタピタ only used for wet things?
Not always for walking sounds, but when it means 'sticking', it almost always implies that moisture (sweat, water) is causing the object to cling flatly to the surface.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2843431
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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