カチカチ
also: コチコチ · カチコチ · カッチカチ
Meanings
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
ticktock
Mimics the sound of a clock or watch ticking. Used adverbially with と.
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.
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.
The bread has gone completely hard.
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.
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.
I got so nervous before the interview that I froze up.
Usage patterns
- 時計がカチカチ(と)音を立てるfor a clock to go tick-tock
The clock on the wall is ticking away.
- キーボードをカチカチ(と)打つto clack away at a keyboard
He's clacking away at his keyboard all day long.
- 〈物〉がカチカチに乾くfor something to dry out rock-hard
The bread had gone stale and dried out rock-hard.
- 頭がカチカチだto be stubborn and set in one's ways
My section chief is so hidebound he won't accept new methods.
- 緊張でカチカチになるto freeze up with nervousness
I froze up with nerves when speaking in front of a crowd.