Entry
ポツリポツリ
potsuripotsuri
Happening sparsely, little by little, or intermittently, like scattered raindrops.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes something that occurs in small amounts with noticeable gaps in space or time. It is commonly used for isolated raindrops just starting to fall, people arriving in small, separated groups, or words spoken slowly with hesitation.
- Sparse raindrops starting to fall
- Things or people appearing gradually in small numbers
- Speaking slowly with noticeable pauses
Sense Map
Weather and Rain
Describes raindrops falling sparsely before a steady rain begins.
雨がポツリポツリと降り始めた。
Arrival and Appearance
Describes people gathering or things appearing sporadically over time.
客がポツリポツリと集まる。
Speech and Memory
Describes uttering words haltingly with pauses, or memories coming back little by little.
ポツリポツリと事情を話す。
Usage Note
How to Use
ポツリポツリと + verb
The most common way to modify an action verb, such as raining, arriving, or speaking.
ポツリポツリ + verb
Identical in meaning but omitting the particle, giving it a slightly more casual conversational tone.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ポツリポツリと雨が降る
rain falls in sparse drops
ポツリポツリと人が来る
people arrive in twos and threes
ポツリポツリと話す
speak haltingly
ポツリポツリと思い出す
remember bit by bit
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Rainfall | neutral | Highly specific to the moment you can count individual raindrops hitting the ground. |
| Gathering | neutral | Implies a trickle of attendance rather than a rush, giving a calm or slow-paced vibe. |
| Speech | neutral | Suggests the speaker is taking time to find their words, often due to shyness, confusion, or emotional weight. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぽつぽつ ぽつぽつ / similar | Describes raindrops or spots that occur steadily but not heavily. Very similar in scope to potsuripotsuri. | Potsuripotsuri emphasizes greater sparseness or longer intervals between the drops or events compared to potsupotsu. | 雨がポツポツ降る |
ぱらぱら ぱらぱら / contrast | Describes small objects like rain, rice, or seeds falling and scattering in somewhat larger, continuous amounts. | Parapara feels faster, lighter, and involves a greater continuous quantity than the slow, sparse drops of potsuripotsuri. | 雨がパラパラ降る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a heavy downpour of rain.
This word only applies to the very beginning of rain or light, sparse drizzle. Heavy rain requires words like zaazaa.
Using it when a large crowd of people arrives at once.
The word implies separation and small numbers. If a large crowd arrives continuously, a word like zorozoro is better.
Examples
Examples
空が暗くなり、雨がポツリポツリと降り始めた。
そらがくらくなり、あめがポツリポツリとふりはじめた。
The sky grew dark, and rain began to fall in sparse drops.
VisualShows the very early stage of rain when drops are falling separately.
開店時間が近づき、客がポツリポツリと集まってきた。
かいてんじかんがちかづき、きゃくがポツリポツリとあつまってきたい。
As opening time approached, customers began to gather in twos and threes.
VisualDescribes people arriving slowly in small, separate groups.
彼女はうつむいたまま、ポツリポツリと事情を話し出した。
かのじょはうつむいたまま、ポツリポツリとじじょうをはなしだした。
Looking down, she started explaining the situation haltingly.
FigurativeShows a slow, paused manner of speaking due to hesitation or emotion.
夜空に星がポツリポツリと見え始めた。
よぞらにほしがポツリポツリとみえはじめた。
Stars began to appear sparsely in the night sky.
VisualDescribes stars appearing slowly and in a scattered manner.
昔の記憶がポツリポツリとよみがえってきた。
むかしのきおくがポツリポツリとよみがえってきた。
Old memories came back little by little.
FigurativeIndicates abstract memories surfacing one by one over time.
Similar Words
ポツリ
potsuri
Describes a single, isolated point or event, such as a solitary drop of liquid falling, standing completely alone, or muttering just a few words.
ポツポツ
potsupotsu
A word describing light drops falling, scattered small spots, or things progressing little by little. Very similar in usage, but potsupotsu sometimes lacks the emphasis on wider gaps seen in potsuripotsuri.
ちらりほらり
chirarihorari
Describes things falling lightly or appearing sparsely here and there.
ポタポタ
potapota
Describes the sound or appearance of liquid continuously falling in distinct drops.
ぱらぱら
parapara
Describes light scattered drops of rain, the quick sound of flipping through pages, or a loose, non-sticky texture like perfect fried rice. Used for faster, more continuous falling of rain or grains compared to potsuripotsuri.
Questions
Is potsuripotsuri the exact same as potsupotsu?
They are nearly identical and often interchangeable for rain. However, potsuripotsuri generally implies slightly longer pauses or wider gaps between occurrences.
Can I use this word for snow?
Yes, if the snowflakes are falling very sparsely and intermittently. However, words like chira-chira or para-para are more typical for light snow.
Is it only used for weather?
No. While very common for rain, it is equally useful for describing people showing up slowly one by one, or someone talking in a fragmented, hesitant way.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2003850
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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