ぽつり
also: ぽつん · ぽっつり
Meanings
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
isolated; standing alone
Describes a single person or object existing apart from others, often with a lonely or conspicuous nuance. Commonly used with と and verbs like 立つ, ある, いる.
A single car was parked all alone in the large parking lot.
He stood by himself at the party.
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
Mimetic for liquid falling in single drops, such as rain beginning or tears. Often used with と and verbs like 落ちる, 降る.
Rain started to fall in drops.
A single tear dripped from her eye.
adverb taking the 'to' particle, adverb
uttering a single word; muttering briefly
Describes saying something in a short, quiet, or hesitant manner, often a single word or brief remark. Used with と and verbs like 言う, つぶやく.
He said 'goodbye' in a single quiet word.
My grandmother occasionally mutters a few words about the old days.
Usage patterns
- 〈場所〉に〈物〉がぽつりとあるthere stands a single, isolated ~ in ~
There stood a single tree, all alone, in the wide field.
- 〈物〉がぽつりと落ちるa single drop of ~ falls
A single tear dropped down her cheek.
- 〈人〉がぽつりと言うsomeone says something briefly and quietly
My friend quietly muttered, 'I'm lonely.'
- 雨がぽつりと降り出すrain begins to fall in drops
I looked up at the sky, and rain started to fall drop by drop.