バタバタ

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

clattering; thrashing; floundering

Used for noisy, chaotic movement: running footsteps, something banging around, or a person/animal thrashing about.

• 子こ供どもたちが廊ろう下かをバタバタと走はしり回まわっている。

  The children are running around noisily in the hallway.

• 魚さかなが網あみの中なかでバタバタしている。

  The fish is thrashing around in the net.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

one after another; in quick succession

Describes things falling, happening, or being dealt with rapidly and continuously, often with a sense of disorder.

• 注ちゅう文もんがバタバタと入はいってきた。

  Orders came in one after another.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

busily; in a rush; hurriedly

Describes a state of being very busy, rushing around to get things done, often with a flustered or hectic feeling. Sense 5 (quickly/briskly) is a closely related nuance of moving or acting with speed.

• 朝あさはいつもバタバタしていて、ゆっくり朝ちょう食しょくをとれない。

  I'm always in a rush in the morning and can't have a leisurely breakfast.

• 引ひっ越こしの準じゅん備びでバタバタしている。

  I'm busy rushing around with preparations for the move.

noun

motorcycle; three-wheeler truck

Colloquial, somewhat dated slang for a motorcycle or three-wheeled truck, from the clattering sound of the engine.

• 昔むかし、バタバタで新しん聞ぶんを配はい達たつしていた。

  In the old days, I delivered newspapers on a motorcycle.