Entry
ポイポイ
poipoi
The action of tossing or throwing things lightly and repeatedly, often without much thought.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word that describes the action of throwing or tossing multiple things one after another. It usually implies a sense of carelessness, nonchalance, or casualness, such as casually littering or tossing items into a pile.
- Throwing things away carelessly one by one.
- Casually tossing small items into a space.
Sense Map
Careless Disposal
Describes throwing away unneeded things (like trash) one after another without hesitation or care.
ゴミをポイポイ捨てる
Repeated Tossing
The act of casually throwing light objects in succession in a particular direction or into a container.
かごにポイポイ入れる
Usage Note
How to Use
ポイポイ + verb
Used directly before verbs like 捨てる (throw away) or 投げる (throw) to describe how the action is performed.
ポイポイと + verb
The particle と emphasizes the continuous or repeated state of the tossing action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ポイポイ捨てる
to throw away carelessly
ゴミをポイポイ捨てる
to repeatedly throw away trash carelessly
ポイポイ投げる
to toss repeatedly
かごにポイポイ入れる
to repeatedly toss things into a basket
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Disposing of trash | negative | Implies the bad habit of littering continuously on the street or in the environment. |
| Clearing out stuff | neutral | Can mean efficiently throwing out unused items without hesitation. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽい ぽい / similar | Use for a single, casual toss or throw. | Not for repeated actions; only represents one quick motion. | ゴミをぽいと捨てる |
ぽんぽん ぽんぽん / similar | Use for things bouncing lightly, or throwing things with a light, rhythmic feeling. | Focuses more on the rhythmic pace rather than the careless discarding nature of ポイポイ. | ぽんぽん投げる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy or large objects.
Only use it for light objects that can be casually tossed with one hand.
Interpreting it as throwing something carefully.
This word always carries a careless, casual, or thoughtless nuance.
Examples
Examples
道にゴミをポイポイ捨ててはいけません。
みちに ゴミを ポイポイ すてては いけません。
You must not repeatedly throw away trash carelessly on the street.
LiteralA very common usage to show the bad habit of littering.
大掃除で、古い雑誌をポイポイ捨てた。
おおそうじで、 ふるい ざっしを ポイポイ すてた。
During the big clean-up, I chucked away the old magazines one after another.
LiteralShows the action of disposing of unnecessary items efficiently.
脱いだ服をベッドの上にポイポイと投げた。
ぬいだ ふくを ベッドの うえに ポイポイと なげた。
I carelessly tossed the clothes I took off onto the bed.
VisualDescribes the action of casually tossing things (clothes) around.
子供はおもちゃを箱の中にぽいぽい入れた。
こどもは おもちゃを はこの なかに ぽいぽい いれた。
The child tossed the toys into the box one by one.
VisualIt can be written in hiragana here.
池の鯉にパンの耳をポイポイと投げ入れた。
いけの こいに パンの みみを ポイポイと なげいれた。
I tossed the bread crusts one after another to the carp in the pond.
VisualTossing food little by little repeatedly.
Similar Words
ぽい
poi
This word describes the action of lightly tossing or discarding something without a second thought, often used for carelessly throwing away trash. The single-toss version of poipoi.
ぽんぽん
ponpon
A word describing a light bouncing tap, things progressing in quick succession, speaking unreservedly, or a child's tummy. Indicates a light bouncing rhythm when throwing things.
Questions
Is ポイポイ used only for trash?
No. While frequently used for garbage, you can also use it for tossing clothes onto a bed or chucking items into a box.
Can this word be used for heavy objects?
No. It is typically only used for light objects that can be easily tossed with one hand.
Is this word formal?
No, it is highly casual. Avoid using it in official documents or formal writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2828340
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- ぽっぽ (poppo)
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