Entry
とんとん
tonton
A light tapping sound, things proceeding smoothly, or a break-even state.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has three main uses. First, it represents a light, repetitive tapping or knocking sound, such as gently knocking on a door or tapping someone's shoulder. Second, it describes situations or plans progressing very smoothly without obstacles, frequently used in the idiom 'tonton-byoushi'. Third, it describes an even, tied, or break-even state where there is no profit or loss, or no clear winner.
- Light tapping sound (doors, shoulders)
- Smooth progress without a hitch
- Break-even or tied state
Sense Map
Tapping Sound
Describes a light, non-aggressive tapping or knocking sound.
ドアをとんとんと叩く
Smooth Progress
Describes plans or events that advance quickly and smoothly without any obstacles.
話がとんとん拍子に進む
Break-even / Equal
A state where income equals expenses, or competitors are evenly matched.
収支がとんとんになる
Usage Note
How to Use
とんとんと + verb
Used to describe the manner of an action producing a light tapping sound, commonly with verbs like 叩く (tap/knock) or 切る (cut/chop).
とんとん拍子に + verb
An idiomatic adverbial phrase meaning 'swimmingly' or 'without a single hitch'.
とんとんになる / とんとんだ
Acts as the predicate to state that two sides (finances, abilities, scores) are equal or have balanced out.
How to Use
Common Phrases
とんとんと叩く
to tap lightly
とんとん拍子に進む
to proceed without a hitch
収支がとんとん
income and expenses break even
肩をとんとんとする
to tap lightly on the shoulder
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Knocking or tapping | neutral | Implies a polite, gentle, or friendly touch. |
| Work progress | positive | Expresses pleasant surprise or satisfaction that things are going better than expected. |
| Finances or scores | neutral | Indicates a fair balance or surviving without a loss. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こんこん こんこん / similar | Use for slightly harder or sharper knocking sounds, such as knocking on a solid wooden door or a dry cough. | コンコン is a harder, stiffer sound. とんとん is softer, more rhythmic, and can be used for tapping a person's shoulder. | ドアをコンコンと叩く |
すんなり すんなり / similar | Use when something is accepted, passed, or resolved without resistance or objection. | すんなり focuses on the 'absence of resistance', whereas とんとん(拍子) emphasizes a 'continuous smooth rhythm' of progress. | すんなり解決する |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using とんとん for pounding on a door loudly.
Use ドンドン (dondon) or ガンガン (gangan) for loud, aggressive banging. とんとん is always light.
Assuming とんとんになる means you made a huge profit.
It strictly means breaking even—zero profit and zero loss.
Examples
Examples
彼女は部屋に入る前に、ドアをとんとんと叩いた。
彼女(かのじょ)は部屋(へや)に入(はい)る前(まえ)に、ドアを[とんとん]と叩(たた)いた。
She knocked lightly on the door before entering the room.
LiteralIndicates a polite, light knocking sound.
後ろから肩をとんとんと叩かれた。
後(うし)ろから肩(かた)を[とんとん]と叩(たた)かれた。
My shoulder was tapped lightly from behind.
LiteralDescribes a friendly tap to get someone's attention.
新しいプロジェクトはとんとん拍子に進んだ。
新(あたら)しいプロジェクトは[とんとん]拍子(びょうし)に進(すす)んだ。
The new project proceeded smoothly without a single hitch.
FigurativeUses the set idiom to express that a process went smoothly.
今月のビジネスの収支はとんとんだった。
今月(こんげつ)のビジネスの収支(しゅうし)は[とんとん]だった。
This month's business income and expenses broke even.
FigurativeIndicates a state of zero profit and zero loss.
まな板の上で、ネギをとんとんと切る音がする。
まな板(いた)の上(うえ)で、ネギを[とんとん]と切(き)る音(おと)がする。
There is a rhythmic tapping sound of chopping green onions on the cutting board.
VisualMimics the light, rhythmic sound of a knife on a cutting board.
Similar Words
コンコン
konkon
A light repeated sound such as knocking on a door, a dry cough, or a fox's yelp. A harder knocking sound compared to とんとん.
すんなり
sunnari
Describes a process advancing smoothly without resistance, or a physical appearance that is slender and lithe. Proceeding smoothly without resistance, similar to 'tonton-byoushi'.
Questions
Is とんとん a loud noise?
No, it specifically refers to light, soft tapping or knocking sounds.
What does 'tonton-byoushi' mean?
It is an idiom meaning things are progressing 'without a hitch' or 'swimmingly'.
Can I use it to say two teams tied in a game?
You can use it to describe evenly matched skill levels, but the final score tie is usually called '引き分け' (hikiwake).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1008800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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