also: ぱかん
adverb taking the 'to' particle
vacantly; blankly; absentmindedly
Describes a state of mental absence or distraction, often with a blank facial expression. Commonly used with する or と.
彼は窓の外をぽかんと見ていた。
He was staring blankly out the window.
adverb taking the 'to' particle
Describes a shocked or stunned state where one's mouth hangs open. Often used with する or と.
その知らせを聞いて、彼はぽかんと口を開けた。
Hearing the news, he stood there with his mouth wide open.
adverb taking the 'to' particle
Mimetic sound for a light, hollow impact, such as hitting a wooden surface. Less common than the mental-state senses.
彼は机をぽかんと叩いた。
He thumped the desk with a whack.
Katakana variant of the rare reading ぱかん, used for the impact sense.
Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it imitates a hollow sound or a state of emptiness.