Have you ever shut a book firmly after finishing it?
Or heard a door close in a quiet room?
That crisp, final motion is captured perfectly in Japanese as:
Patan! (ぱたん!)
What is “Patan” (ぱたん)?
“Patan” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes the light but decisive sound of something flat or hinged closing.
It’s often used for:
- Doors closing softly
- Books being shut
- Folding something like a laptop or suitcase lid
- Something toppling over
It carries a tidy, sudden sense of motion — a little dramatic, a little final.
Pronunciation
pah-tahn
(smooth and flat, with a soft but clear finish)
Category
Sound
What Does “Patan” Look Like?
A book closes at the end of a long day of study.
A door shuts quietly in a tense moment.
A folder is neatly sealed after a presentation.
Patan! captures both sound and atmosphere.
How Do You Say It?
Say it gently — as if you’re putting something to rest:
Patan…
Example in Daily Life
Example: End of study time
He closed the thick book,
and the sound echoed softly —
patan…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say “slam,” “click,” or “snap” — but those can sound harsh.
“Patan” is gentler — tidy, slightly dramatic, and common in storytelling.
In manga, it often appears during moments of decision, silence, or transition.
Watch & Feel the “Patan!” World
Feel the “Patan!” — Toppling Over
Try Using It!
Closing a book? → Say patan.
Watching a door close behind someone? → Say patan…
Finishing a long day with a symbolic shut? → Say patan.
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