Entry
ポタポタ
potapota
Describes the sound or appearance of liquid continuously falling in distinct drops.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Potapota is used for liquids like water, sweat, or rain leaking and falling drop by drop in a steady rhythm. Its voiced variant 'botabota' (ボタボタ) is used for heavier, thicker, or larger drops, such as mud or wet paint.
- Continuous small drops of liquid (water, sweat, rain)
- Thick, heavy drops of liquid or wet matter (with the variant ボタボタ)
Sense Map
Liquid drops
Used when liquids like water, rain, or sweat fall in continuous, distinct drops.
蛇口から水がポタポタと落ちる。
Heavy drops (ボタボタ)
Used when thick, heavy, or very wet substances (like paint or mud) drip down in large drops.
ペンキがボタボタ落ちる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ポタポタ（と） + verb
The standard way to use the word, modifying verbs for falling or dripping.
ボタボタ（と） + verb
Used instead when the falling substance is thick, heavy, or messy.
ポタポタする
Used to describe a state of something continuously dripping.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ポタポタ落ちる
to drip down
ポタポタ垂れる
to trickle down
ポタポタ滴る
to drop / trickle
水がポタポタ
water dripping
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A leaking roof or pipe | Neutral to annoying | Implies a persistent and sometimes bothersome dripping sound over time. |
| Using botabota for sweat | Intense | Emphasizes that you are completely exhausted and drenched, with huge drops of sweat hitting the floor. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
だらだら だらだら / similar | Used when a liquid flows in a continuous, unbroken stream (like heavy sweat running down a face or a small creek). | だらだら is an unbroken stream, while ポタポタ implies separate, individual drops. | 汗がだらだら流れる |
ぽろぽろ ぽろぽろ / similar | Often used for tears falling, or for small dry items scattering (like breadcrumbs or grains). | ぽろぽろ can be used for dry, crumbly objects, whereas ポタポタ is strictly for wet liquids and wet materials. | 涙がぽろぽろこぼれる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using potapota for a heavily running faucet.
Potapota is strictly for 'drop by drop'. If water is running continuously, use words like ザーザー or だらだら.
Using potapota for crumbs falling off a table.
Potapota requires the substance to be a liquid or very wet. For dry crumbs, use poroporo.
Examples
Examples
蛇口から水がポタポタと落ちている。
じゃぐちから みずが ポタポタと おちている。
Water is dripping from the faucet.
LiteralShows the state of water continuously falling drop by drop.
額から汗がポタポタ垂れてきた。
ひたいから あせが ポタポタ たれてきた。
Sweat came trickling down from my forehead.
VisualShows beads of sweat gathering and dripping down.
天井から雨漏りがポタポタと落ちる。
てんじょうから あまもりが ポタポタと おちる。
Rain leaks dripping down from the ceiling.
LiteralFocuses on the continuous sound and visual of leaking drops.
濡れた服から水滴がポタポタ滴っている。
ぬれたふくから すいてきが ポタポタ したたっている。
Water drops are dripping from the wet clothes.
VisualShows the process of water separating from wet fabric.
筆からペンキがボタボタと落ちた。
ふでから ペンキが ボタボタと おちた。
Paint dripped heavily from the brush.
VisualUses the variant 'botabota' to indicate thick, heavy drops.
Similar Words
だらだら
daradara
だらだら describes something continuing endlessly without tension, such as chilling lazily at home, a meeting dragging on, or sweat dripping continuously. Denotes an unbroken continuous stream of liquid, unlike the distinct drops of potapota.
ぽろぽろ
poroporo
Describes large drops (like tears) or small, granular objects falling continuously and relatively quietly. More commonly used for tears falling or small dry items dropping, rather than water or paint.
ポタリ
potari
Describes the sound or visual of a single, distinct drop of liquid falling.
ちょろちょろ
chorochoro
Describes a small, weak flow of water, flickering flames, or the quick, restless darting of small creatures.
Questions
What is the difference between ポタポタ (potapota) and ボタボタ (botabota)?
Potapota is for standard, light liquid drops like water or light rain. Botabota is used for heavy, thick, or messy drops like mud, thick paint, or heavy sweat.
Can I use potapota for tears?
You can, but 'poroporo' (ぽろぽろ) is much more natural and common when talking about tears falling from eyes.
Can potapota be used for dry things?
No, potapota specifically refers to liquid drops. Dry things falling in small pieces would be 'poroporo'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011960
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ぽかん (pokan)
- Next entry
- ぽちゃぽちゃ (pochapocha)