Entry
プッツン
puttsun
Represents something snapping abruptly, like a tense thread breaking, or a person suddenly losing their temper.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the sudden snapping of a tense object, such as a thread or a rope. Figuratively, it is widely used to describe someone's mind or patience reaching a breaking point, resulting in a sudden outburst of anger or loss of rationality.
- physical breaking
- emotional snapping
Sense Map
Physical Snapping
Describes a tense string, thread, or rope snapping abruptly.
糸がプッツンと切れる。
Emotional Snapping
Describes a person suddenly losing their temper, going crazy, or losing control after their patience reaches a limit.
彼女はとうとうプッツンした。
Usage Note
How to Use
プッツンする
Used as a suru-verb to directly mean 'to lose one's temper' or 'to snap'.
プッツンと + verb
Used as an adverb, typically followed by verbs like 切れる (kireru - to break/cut), to describe how something snapped.
プッツンと切れる
A common phrase meaning something breaks off completely with a snap, or someone completely loses their patience.
頭がプッツンする
A phrase used to describe one's mind snapping or feeling like they are going crazy from stress.
How to Use
Common Phrases
プッツンする
to lose one's temper / to snap
プッツンと切れる
to snap and break off (physically or emotionally)
頭がプッツンする
to lose one's mind / to go crazy
堪忍袋の緒がプッツンと切れる
one's patience completely runs out
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Strings/Ropes | neutral | Used when a stretched rope or thread snaps. |
| Emotions | negative | Implies a sudden and violent outburst of anger after holding it in for too long. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぷつん ぷつん / similar | When a lighter, smaller string snaps, or a connection (like a phone call) is suddenly cut off. | プツン (putsun) feels lighter and less intense, whereas プッツン (puttsun) emphasizes high tension and is the standard word for 'losing one's temper'. | 電話がプツンと切れた。 |
ぷっつり ぷっつり / similar | When something stops completely and permanently, such as quitting a habit or losing contact. | ぷっつり emphasizes the complete cessation or clean break (like quitting smoking once and for all), while プッツン focuses on the sudden, explosive moment of snapping. | 連絡がぷっつり途絶えた。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'puttsun' for hard objects breaking, like glass or wood.
It is only used for tense, flexible items like strings, or for human emotions. For hard objects, use 'poki' or 'gachan'.
Using 'puttsun' for mild annoyance.
It implies a sudden, explosive loss of control or a complete break of patience, not just being slightly irritated.
Examples
Examples
糸がプッツンと切れてしまった。
いとがプッツンときれてしまった。
The thread snapped abruptly.
LiteralFocuses on a thread or string abruptly snapping.
彼の堪忍袋の緒がプッツンと切れた。
かれのかんにんぶくろのおがプッツンときれた。
His patience completely snapped.
FigurativeA figurative expression used when someone's patience has completely run out.
あまりのストレスで頭がプッツンしそうだ。
あまりのストレスであたまがプッツンしそうだ。
I feel like my mind is going to snap from all this stress.
FigurativeShows a mind that can no longer handle the pressure.
ロープがプッツンと音を立てて切れた。
ロープがプッツンとおとをたててきれた。
The rope broke with a loud snapping sound.
LiteralDescribes a thicker rope snapping with an audible sound.
理不尽な要求に、彼女はとうとうプッツンした。
りふじんなようきゅうに、かのじょはとうとうプッツンした。
At the unreasonable demands, she finally lost her temper.
FigurativeA very common usage for someone suddenly losing their temper.
Similar Words
プツン
putsun
For thinner threads snapping or communication (phone calls) abruptly cutting off.
ぷっつり
puttsuri
Emphasizes the complete and permanent cessation of a habit or a loss of contact.
Questions
Can I use puttsun when a glass breaks?
No, it is strictly used for tense strings (like thread or wire) or for emotional limits snapping. For a glass, words like 'gachan' or 'pari' are better.
What does 'atama ga puttsun suru' mean?
It means someone feels like they are going crazy or snapping from extreme stress or anger.
Is puttsun used positively?
No, it generally has a negative connotation because it involves violently breaking something or losing one's temper.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2252720
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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