Entry
ポトリ
potori
ポトリ (potori) describes the light sound or visual action of a single drop of liquid or a small object falling.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term captures the moment a small, lightweight entity—such as a tear, a drop of water, sweat, or a small fruit—detaches from its source and drops lightly onto a surface with a very subtle sound.
- A liquid drop (tear, water, sweat) falling lightly.
- A small, lightweight solid object (nut, pebble) dropping.
Sense Map
Liquid Drops
Describes a small drop of liquid falling, often a tear or condensation.
涙がポトリと落ちる
Small Objects
Describes a small, light object detaching and falling.
木の実がぽとりと落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
ポトリと + verb
The most common usage, usually paired with a verb meaning 'to fall' (落ちる/ochiru) or 'to drop'.
ポトリ + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
ポトリと落ちる
to fall with a plop
涙がポトリと
a tear falls with a plop
ポトリと落とす
to drop (a small object)
汗がポトリと
sweat drops
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A falling tear | emotional | Creates a sad, lonely, or relieved image where a single tear drops in a quiet moment. |
| A small fruit falling | neutral | Depicts a serene natural scene where a ripe fruit simply detaches due to gravity. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽとん ぽとん / similar | Use ポトン when the drop or object is slightly larger and makes a slightly more resonant or heavier 'plop' sound. | ポトリ feels lighter and more delicate than ポトン. | どんぐりがポトンと落ちる |
ぼちゃん ぼちゃん / contrast | Use ぼちゃん for a large or heavy object falling into water, making a big splash. | ポトリ implies a tiny drop or object with no big splash, while ぼちゃん is a loud splash. | 石が池にぼちゃんと落ちる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ポトリ for heavy objects falling, like a boulder or furniture.
ポトリ is only for small, light things. For heavy items, use どすん (dosun).
Using ポトリ to describe heavy rain.
ポトリ focuses on individual, isolated drops. Heavy rain is better described with ざあざあ (zaa-zaa).
Examples
Examples
悲しみのあまり、彼女の目から涙がポトリと落ちた。
かなしみのあまり、かのじょのめからなみだがポトリとおちた。
Overcome with sadness, a tear fell with a plop from her eyes.
LiteralFocuses on a single tear falling clearly.
暑さで額から汗がポトリとノートに落ちた。
あつさでひたいからあせがポトリとノートにおちた。
Due to the heat, a drop of sweat fell with a plop from his forehead onto the notebook.
LiteralDescribes a drop of sweat falling onto a surface.
庭の木から小さな実がポトリと地面に落ちた。
にわのきからちいさなみがポトリとじめんにおちた。
A small fruit from the tree in the garden fell to the ground with a plop.
VisualExample of usage for a light solid object.
葉っぱの先から朝露がポトリと垂れ落ちた。
はっぱのさきからあさつゆがポトリとたれおちた。
Morning dew dropped with a plop from the tip of the leaf.
VisualProvides a visual image of a water drop falling slowly.
手から滑り落ちた小石が、水たまりにポトリと落ちた。
てからすべりおちたこいしが、みずたまりにポトリとおちた。
The small stone that slipped from my hand dropped into the puddle with a plop.
LiteralDescribes a small object landing without a big splash.
Similar Words
ポトン
poton
Used for drops of water or objects that are slightly larger and heavier-sounding than potori.
Questions
Is ポトリ only used for liquids?
No. While very common for tears or sweat, it is also regularly used for small, light solid objects like berries, leaves, or tiny pebbles.
What is the difference between ポトリ (potori) and ポツリ (potsuri)?
While similar, ポトリ focuses on the weight of a drop or object hitting a surface, whereas ポツリ is often used for the very first drops of rain, or metaphorically when someone suddenly mutters a single word.
Can I use ポトリ to describe someone jumping?
No. ポトリ strictly describes small items detaching and falling. A person jumping would use a word like ぴょん (pyon).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2520900
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- どさり (dosari)
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