Entry
わっと
watto
A sudden, loud burst of human voice, such as erupting into tears or a crowd cheering.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures the moment when someone or a group of people suddenly lets out a loud, unrestrained sound. It is most commonly used to describe a person who breaks down and bursts into loud sobs, or a crowd that abruptly erupts into cheers, screams, or shouts.
- Bursting into tears suddenly
- A crowd suddenly cheering or screaming
- A sudden vocal surprise
Sense Map
Bursting into Tears
Used when someone suddenly starts crying loudly, unable to hold back their emotions.
わっと泣き出す
Crowd Erupting
Used when a group of people simultaneously raise their voices in a cheer, scream, or shout.
わっと歓声があがる
Usage Note
How to Use
わっと + 泣き出す
わっと + 声をあげる
わっと + 歓声があがる
ワッと + 驚かせる
Used to describe surprising someone by letting out a sudden, loud sound (like shouting 'boo!').
How to Use
Common Phrases
わっと泣き出す
to burst into tears
わっと声をあげる
to let out a sudden loud cry or shout
わっと歓声があがる
a cheer erupts suddenly
ワッと驚かせる
to surprise someone with a loud sound
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Individual crying | Emotional / Overwhelmed | Implies the person could no longer hold back their feelings and released them vocally. |
| Crowd reaction | Energetic / Sudden | Describes a simultaneous, explosive burst of vocal energy from multiple people. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
どっと どっと / similar | Used for a heavier, sudden collective reaction, such as roaring laughter, thunderous applause, or a physical rush of a crowd. | It does not focus as much on the high-pitched or sharp emotional quality of a single person crying or screaming. | どっと笑う |
しくしく しくしく / opposite | Used for quiet, subdued, and continuous crying (weeping). | It is the direct opposite of the sudden, loud explosion of 'watto'. | しくしく泣く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'watto' to describe silent tears or quiet weeping.
'Watto' strictly requires a loud, vocal release of emotion. For quiet crying, use 'shikushiku'.
Using 'watto' to mean 'suddenly' for purely physical actions without sound.
'Watto' must involve a sudden voice or sound. Do not use it for someone suddenly standing up silently.
Examples
Examples
子供が転んで、わっと泣き出した。
こども が ころんで、 わっと なきだした。
The child fell and burst into tears.
LiteralShows a sudden, loud crying reaction.
アイドルが登場すると、客席からわっと歓声があがった。
アイドル が とうじょう すると、 きゃくせき から わっと かんせい が あがった。
When the idol appeared, the audience erupted in cheers.
VisualShows a sudden, unified burst of sound from a large group.
部屋の隅から飛び出して、弟をワッと驚かせた。
へや の すみ から とびだして、 おとうと を ワッと おどろかせた。
I jumped out from the corner of the room and surprised my little brother with a loud 'boo!'.
LiteralOften written in katakana when describing the action of startling someone with a loud noise.
溜まっていたストレスが限界に達し、彼女はわっと泣き崩れた。
たまっていた ストレス が げんかい に たっし、 かのじょ は わっと なきくずれた。
Her accumulated stress reached its limit, and she broke down crying loudly.
FigurativeIllustrates pent-up emotions finally overflowing into a loud cry.
優勝が決まった瞬間、選手たちはわっと声をあげて喜んだ。
ゆうしょう が きまった しゅんかん、 せんしゅたち は わっと こえ を あげて よろこんだ。
The moment the championship was decided, the players let out a loud cry of joy.
LiteralUsed for a sudden, loud shout of happiness or victory.
Similar Words
どっと
dotto
Dotto describes a sudden, large influx of people, or a simultaneous outbreak of sound or applause. For roaring laughter or heavy mass movement.
はっと
hatto
Hatto is an adverb describing surprise, sudden realization, or abrupt movement.
しくしく
shikushiku
Describes the action of crying quietly or feeling a continuous, dull ache such as a stomachache. For quiet, subdued crying.
Questions
What is the difference between 'watto' and 'dotto'?
'Watto' focuses on a sharp, loud burst of voice (like crying, screaming, or a sudden cheer), while 'dotto' is used for a heavier, rumbling mass reaction like a crowd roaring with laughter or physically rushing forward.
Can I use 'watto' to describe a sudden downpour of rain?
No, 'watto' is specifically for human voices. To describe rain starting suddenly and heavily, use 'zaatto'.
Should I use hiragana or katakana?
Both are correct. Use hiragana (わっと) when describing sad, emotional crying. Use katakana (ワッと) for energetic cheers or the sound of scaring someone.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2020560
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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