Translation guide
Describes a heavy, dull sound or impact, often from a falling object, a punch, or a heartbeat. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and mimetic words to express this.
To describe the sound or manner of something heavy landing or striking a surface.
Mimics a heavy, dull thud, like a large object dropping. Often used adverbially with と.
彼はソファにドスンと座った。
He sat down on the sofa with a thump.
Similar to ドスン, but can imply a slightly more resonant or echoing thud.
箱が床にドシンと落ちた。
The box fell to the floor with a thump.
Often used for a thumping noise from a fall or collision, sometimes with a slightly lighter or more clattering nuance than ドスン.
子供が階段からドタンと落ちた。
The child fell down the stairs with a thump.
To describe the sound or impact of a heavy punch or strike to the body.
Also used for a heavy punch, emphasizing the dull impact.
彼は腹にドスンとパンチを食らった。
He took a punch to the gut with a thump.
A sharper, more forceful thump, often used for a solid punch or kick.
ボクサーが相手にドカッと一発入れた。
The boxer landed a solid punch on his opponent with a thump.
To describe the sound or sensation of a heavy, thumping heartbeat, often from excitement or fear.
Standard onomatopoeia for a pounding heart. Often used with する to mean 'to pound'.
心臓がドキドキした。
My heart went thump-thump.
A single, heavy thump of the heart, often from a sudden shock or realization.
その言葉に胸がドキンとした。
My heart gave a thump at those words.
To describe any dull, rhythmic thumping noise, like knocking or banging.
Repetitive thumping or banging, like knocking on a door or stomping feet.
誰かがドアをドンドン叩いている。
Someone is thumping on the door.
A flapping or thumping noise from something like loose shutters or running footsteps.
Japanese onomatopoeia like ドスン are often used with the particle と to indicate the manner of an action. They can also be used with する to describe a sound or state. For example, ドスンと落ちる (fall with a thump) vs. ドスンとする (make a thumping sound).
English 'with a thump' is often expressed by a single onomatopoeic word in Japanese, not a phrase like ドスンで. Using で would sound unnatural.
風で雨戸がバタバタと音を立てた。
The shutters banged with a thump in the wind.