Have you ever dropped something thick or heavy with a flat thud?
Or collapsed onto a bed or the floor?
That solid, abrupt impact in Japanese is expressed as:
“Batan!” (ばたん！)
Let’s hear how it sounds!
What is “Batan” (ばたん)?
“Batan” describes:
- A heavy object falling flat
- A sudden drop with a strong, dull impact
- A motion that ends abruptly with weight
It’s often used for:
- Closing or dropping something (like a book or door)
- Collapsing or falling down
- Objects that hit with a broad, flat contact
Pronunciation
bah-tahn
(Say it with weight at the end — like something landing flat.)
Category
Sound
What Does “Batan” Look Like?
It looks like a thick book hitting the floor.
Like a door closing heavily.
Like someone dropping down all at once.
How Do You Say It?
Say it with a flat, heavy impact:
Batan!
Like something falling and stopping instantly.
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: A heavy drop
The thick book slipped from his hands —
batan!
Example 2: Collapsing down
After a long day,
he dropped onto the bed —
batan…
Cultural Note
In English, you might say:
- “Thud!”
- “Drop!”
- “Flop!”
But “batan” has a specific nuance:
Flat impact
Sudden and final motion
Noticeable weight
Compared with similar words:
- Patan ぱたん → lighter, softer closing or falling
- Batan ばたん → heavier, stronger impact
Try Using It!
When something falls heavily…
When something closes with weight…
When someone collapses suddenly…
Say it with impact:
Batan!
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