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ついと Japanese meaning | Kotomora

ついと

つ

い

と

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

adverb

suddenly; abruptly; quickly

Describes a swift, often unexpected movement or change. Common in literary or narrative contexts.

彼かれはついと立たち上あがった。
He suddenly stood up.
猫ねこがついと姿すがたを消けした。
The cat abruptly disappeared.

Similar words

突とつ然ぜん
突然 is a more common and neutral word for 'suddenly', while ついと is more literary and often implies a quick, sharp movement.
さっと
さっと also means 'quickly', but it often suggests a smooth, sweeping motion, whereas ついと can feel more abrupt or sharp.

Etymology

The origin is uncertain; it is a native Japanese adverb with a mimetic or sound-symbolic feel, possibly related to the idea of a quick, sharp movement.