Entry
ぷっと
putto
Describes the sound or action of suddenly exhaling a small puff of air or letting out a brief, suppressed laugh.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express the sound or visual of someone who cannot hold back their laughter, causing it to burst out suddenly. It also describes the act of blowing air in one short puff or spitting out small objects like seeds from the mouth.
- A burst of laughter that escapes when trying to hold it in.
- The act of blowing or spitting something out with a single short breath.
Sense Map
Suppressed Laughter
Used when someone tries to hold back a laugh but it eventually bursts out suddenly for a very short duration.
思わずぷっと笑う
Exhaling Air
Describes the action of blowing out a candle or spitting fruit seeds from the mouth with one quick movement.
種をぷっと飛ばす
Usage Note
How to Use
ぷっと笑う
ぷっと吹き出す
ぷっと吹き消す
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぷっと笑う
to burst out laughing
ぷっと吹き出す
to spray out (laughter or liquid)
ぷっと吹き消す
to blow out (a flame)
種をぷっと飛ばす
to spit out seeds
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Funny situations | Informal | Very suitable for telling funny stories where someone spontaneously laughed. |
| Physical activity | Neutral | Used literally for the action of blowing out candles or spitting seeds. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くすくす くすくす / similar | When chuckling quietly and continuously while trying not to be heard. | Kusukusu is a continuous quiet laugh, while putto is a very brief burst of laughter. | くすくす笑う |
ぶっ ぶっ / similar | When the laugh or puff of air is much stronger and rougher. | Bu has a heavier sound and larger volume compared to putto. | ぶっと吹き出す |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using putto to describe long, loud laughter.
Use other words like wahaha for loud laughter. Putto is only for short bursts.
Using putto for strong wind like a storm.
Putto is only used for small puffs of air originating from the human mouth.
Examples
Examples
彼は私の冗談を聞いて、ぷっと吹き出した。
かれはわたしのじょうだんをきいて、ぷっとふきだした。
He burst out laughing after hearing my joke.
LiteralDescribes laughter that bursts out suddenly because it cannot be contained.
子供たちが庭でスイカの種をぷっと飛ばしている。
こどもたちがにわですいかのたねをぷっと_とばしている。
Children are spitting watermelon seeds in the garden.
LiteralDescribes the action of spitting out seeds from the mouth with a single puff of air.
授業中なのに、変な顔を見てぷっと笑ってしまった。
じゅぎょうちゅうなのに、へんなかおをみてぷっとわらってしまった。
Even though I was in class, I burst out laughing seeing a funny face.
LiteralIndicates a situation where laughter escapes unintentionally.
誕生日のケーキのろうそくをぷっと吹き消した。
たんじょうびのケーキのろうそくをぷっとふきけした。
Blew out the candles on the birthday cake with a short puff of air.
LiteralDescribes the use of a puff of air from the mouth.
静かな部屋で彼がぷっと笑ったので、みんなが驚いた。
しずかなへやでかれがぷっとわらったので、みんながおどろいた。
Everyone was surprised because he suddenly laughed in the quiet room.
LiteralEmphasizes the sound of the laughter burst breaking the silence.
Similar Words
ぶっ
ぶっ
When the laugh or puff of air is much stronger and rougher. Bu has a heavier sound and larger volume compared to putto.
Questions
What is the difference between putto and pu?
Putto is the fuller adverbial form, while pu is usually used as a direct onomatopoeia or the sound of the laughter burst itself.
Can putto be used in formal situations?
It is neutral to informal. In very formal settings, it is better to use descriptive phrases like omowazu fukidashite shimatta.
Can putto be used for blowing up a balloon?
Usually not. Blowing up a balloon requires a long breath, whereas putto describes a single short puff.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 937121255
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- goiryoku.com/onomatopoeia/pultu/
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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