Translation guide
The English word 'flop' can refer to a failure (of a movie, product, event), a heavy or loose falling motion, or a sound. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese.
その映画は失敗作だった。
The movie was a flop.
彼はソファにドサッと倒れ込んだ。
He flopped onto the sofa.
To say that something was a commercial or critical failure, a dud, or a bomb.
Literally 'failed work', used for movies, books, products, etc. that were failures.
あの映画は失敗作だった。
That movie was a flop.
A big failure or blunder. Can be used for events, projects, or personal endeavors.
新製品は大失敗に終わった。
The new product ended up being a flop.
Slang for 'to flop' or 'to bomb', often used for comedians, performances, or products.
そのギャグは完全にコケた。
That joke totally flopped.
Poor attendance or box office failure, specifically for performances or events.
初日は不入りだった。
Opening day was a flop (poor attendance).
To describe something falling heavily, limply, or with a flapping sound.
Onomatopoeic phrase for a heavy object falling with a thud.
彼は疲れてベッドにドサッと倒れ込んだ。
He flopped onto the bed exhausted.
To fall over with a flop or bang, often used for people or objects.
本棚がバタンと倒れた。
The bookshelf flopped over with a bang.
To flap or flop around loosely, like a flag or loose clothing.
洗濯物が風でパタパタしている。
The laundry is flopping in the wind.
To describe the sound of something flopping, like a wet object hitting a surface.
Onomatopoeia for a wet, slapping sound, like a fish flopping on a cutting board.
魚がまな板の上でペチャッと跳ねた。
The fish flopped on the cutting board with a wet slap.
Sound of something plopping into water, like a flop into a pool.
カエルが池にボチャンと飛び込んだ。
The frog flopped into the pond with a plop.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'flop'. Use 失敗作 for failed works, 大失敗 for big failures, and onomatopoeia like ドサッ for physical flopping.