Ever dropped a cherry into a cup of tea?
Or watched a small stone fall into a quiet pond?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Pochan” (ぽちゃん) comes in — a soft, delicate splash that captures the beauty of something light meeting water.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Pochan” (ぽちゃん)?
“Pochan” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that represents the small, clear sound of something dropping into water.
It’s light, soft, and round — not messy or loud.
Used for:
- A small object falling into water
- Raindrops landing in a puddle
- A pebble tossed into a stream
- Sometimes, an image of sinking softly
Pronunciation
po-chan
(Say it gently, like the sound is barely louder than a whisper.)
Categories
Sound
What Does “Pochan” Look Like?
It looks like a single droplet making a perfect circle.
Like a plum falling into tea.
Like stillness being gently disturbed.
How Do You Say It?
Say it softly, with a round finish:
Pochan…
Like something slipping quietly into water.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Plum drop
She dropped the umeboshi into her cup of tea —
pochan…
Example 2: Pond splash
A flog jumped into the pond —
pochan…
Cultural Note
Unlike a big splash or crash, pochan is delicate and gentle.
It captures the Japanese sense of minimal beauty — a sound of peace, stillness, and light motion.
In English, you might say “plop” — but pochan feels softer and rounder, like a moment caught in slow motion.
Watch & Feel the “Pochen” World!
Feel the “Pochen” — Jumping Fish
Try Using It!
- Watching a droplet fall into a cup? → Say pochan
- A moment of quiet beauty in nature? → That’s pochan…
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