also: こちこち · かちこち · かっちかち
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
ticktock
Mimics the sound of a clock or watch ticking. Used adverbially with と.
時計がカチカチと時を刻んでいる。
The clock is ticking away the seconds.
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
Describes light, hard, repeated impact sounds, such as a hammer tapping, stones clicking together, or a keyboard clacking. Used adverbially with と.
ハンマーで石をカチカチと叩いた。
He tapped the stone with a hammer, making a clicking sound.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
dry and hard; stiff
Describes something that has lost moisture and become hard, or is frozen solid. Often used for food, laundry, or ground. Can be used as カチカチの or カチカチな.
パンがカチカチになってしまった。
The bread has gone completely hard.
洗濯物が凍ってカチカチだ。
The laundry is frozen stiff.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
stubborn; die-hard; hidebound
Describes a person who is rigid in their thinking, inflexible, or set in their ways. Often used critically. Can be used as カチカチの or カチカチな.
彼は頭がカチカチで、新しい考えを受け入れない。
He is so stubborn that he won't accept new ideas.
noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', na-adjective
Describes someone frozen with fear or extreme nervousness, often physically tense. Can be used as カチカチになる or カチカチだ.
面接の前で緊張してカチカチになってしまった。
I got so nervous before the interview that I froze up.