Entry
ぽかり
pokari
ぽかり (pokari) describes the hollow sound of a light whack (like smacking a head), a gaping state (like an open mouth or hole), or an absentminded state of mind.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word covers three surprisingly distinct situations: (1) a sudden, hollow-sounding strike or thump, typically when hitting a head; (2) a physical state of suddenly opening wide, such as a gaping hole or an open mouth in shock; and (3) a psychological state of being flabbergasted, spaced out, or vacant.
- hollow whack/thump
- gaping wide (hole/mouth)
- vacant/absentminded
Sense Map
Hollow whack
Describes the sound or action of suddenly hitting something hollow, such as lightly smacking a head.
頭をぽかりと殴る
Gaping wide
Describes something suddenly opening up, like a gaping hole appearing or an open mouth in astonishment.
口をぽかりと開ける
Absentminded
Describes a vacant, blank, or flabbergasted state of mind, often accompanied by staring into space.
ぽかりとしている
Usage Note
How to Use
ぽかりと + verb
The standard adverbial form, modifying how an action occurs or a state appears.
ぽかりと殴る
Specifically collocated with striking verbs to mean 'hit with a whack' or 'smack'.
口をぽかりと開ける
Collocated with opening the mouth, meaning 'to leave one's mouth wide open'.
ぽかりと穴が空く
Collocated with holes, meaning 'a hole opens up suddenly' or 'gapes open'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぽかりと殴る
to hit with a whack
口をぽかりと開ける
to open one's mouth wide
ぽかりと穴が空く
a hole suddenly gapes open
頭をぽかりと叩く
to smack someone on the head
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hitting a head | Neutral to slightly negative | Often sounds like a light reprimand or a comical, hollow smack on the head rather than a violent attack. |
| Being surprised | Neutral | Used to depict the physical reaction of the mouth dropping open in shock or foolishness. |
| Emotional emptiness | Negative | Can metaphorically describe a sudden feeling of emptiness or a 'hole' opening up in one's heart. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽかん ぽかん / similar | Used when someone is absentminded, dazed, or has their mouth open in surprise. | ぽかん is focused almost entirely on the mental state of being blank or stunned. It is not used to describe the sound of a physical whack or a hole in a wall. | ぽかんと立ち尽くす |
ぽっかり ぽっかり / similar | Used for a large gaping hole, or something floating lightly (like a cloud in the sky). | ぽっかり emphasizes a spacious, hollow state or a floating sensation. It is not used for the sound of physical striking. | ぽっかりと穴が空く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぽかり for heavy, destructive impacts.
ぽかり implies a light, hollow-sounding whack (like a cartoonish hit on the head). It is not used for heavy crashes or serious punches.
Assuming ぽかり only means 'absentminded'.
While it can mean vacant or spaced out, it frequently refers to the physical action of a whack or a gaping hole, unlike its synonym ぽかん which is mainly just about being dazed.
Examples
Examples
兄に頭をぽかりと殴られた。
あににあたまをぽかりとなぐられた。
I was smacked on the head with a thump by my older brother.
LiteralIndicates the hollow sound of a hit.
壁にぽかりと穴が空いている。
かべにぽかりとあながあいている。
There is a gaping hole suddenly opened in the wall.
VisualDescribes the visual state of an empty space.
驚いて口をぽかりと開けた。
おどろいてくちをぽかりとあけた。
I opened my mouth wide in surprise.
VisualShows a gaping open mouth.
授業中、ぽかりと窓の外を見ていた。
じゅぎょうちゅう、ぽかりとまどのそとをみていた。
During class, I was looking out the window absentmindedly.
FigurativeDescribes an emptiness of the mind.
ボールが頭にぽかりと当たった。
ぼーるがあたまにぽかりとあたった。
The ball hit my head with a thump.
LiteralFocuses on the sound of impact on something hollow.
Similar Words
ぽかん
pokan
Describes a state of staring blankly, gaping in surprise with an open mouth, or the light, hollow sound of a whack. Highly synonymous for 'absentminded', but focuses purely on the blank mental state.
ぽっかり
pokkari
ぽっかり describes a gaping hole, a light object floating in space, or a sudden sense of emptiness. Similar for describing a gaping hole or something floating lightly.
Questions
Is ぽかり onomatopoeia or mimetic?
It functions as both. It is onomatopoeic (giongo) when describing the 'thump' sound of a whack, and mimetic (gitaigo) when describing a gaping hole or a vacant state of mind.
How does ぽかり differ from ぽかん when someone is spaced out?
For being spaced out, they are highly synonymous. However, ぽかん is much more commonly used specifically for the 'blank mind' or 'open mouth' state, whereas ぽかり is broader and covers hitting/holes.
Can ぽかり describe a small hole in clothing?
Usually, no. It implies a hole that is noticeably gaping or suddenly opens up, rather than a tiny pinhole.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2769320
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ウッキー (ukkii)
- Next entry
- ほう (hou)