ポツリポツリ
ポ
ツ
リ
ポ
ツ
リ
Meanings
1
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
intermittently; bit by bit; in ones and twos
Describes things happening or appearing at irregular intervals, often with noticeable gaps. Used for speech, events, or sparse occurrences.
He began to talk about his past bit by bit.
People gathered in ones and twos at the venue.
2
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
in drops; sparsely falling
Specifically for rain or liquid falling in scattered drops, not a steady downpour.
Rain began to fall in drops.
Usage patterns
- 雨がポツリポツリ(と)降るfor rain to fall in scattered drops
Looking up at the sky, I noticed rain beginning to fall in scattered drops.
- ポツリポツリ(と)話すto speak haltingly, bit by bit
Nervous, he began to speak haltingly, bit by bit.
- 〈人〉がポツリポツリ(と)集まるfor people to gather in ones and twos
Even before the doors opened, people had started gathering in ones and twos.