Translation guide
Describes an action done with a splashing sound or motion, such as jumping into water, spilling liquid, or adding a small amount of liquid. Japanese uses onomatopoeia and mimetic words to express the sound, manner, or result.
Describe the action of entering water with a splashing sound, like jumping into a pool.
Mimetic adverb for a heavy object or person falling into water with a deep splash. Often used with verbs like 飛び込む (dive in) or 落ちる (fall).
彼はプールにドボンと飛び込んだ。
He jumped into the pool with a splash.
Mimetic adverb for a large splash, like waves or a big jump into water. Slightly more dramatic than ドボン.
波がザブンと岸に打ち寄せた。
The waves came in with a splash against the shore.
Mimetic adverb for a sharp, splashing sound, like a fish jumping or a small object hitting water. Less common for people.
魚が水面でバシャンとはねた。
The fish jumped with a splash at the water's surface.
Describe accidentally or intentionally causing liquid to splash out of a container.
Onomatopoeia for liquid splashing out suddenly. Used with verbs like こぼす (spill) or かける (splash on).
コップの水がバシャッとこぼれた。
The water spilled out of the cup with a splash.
Mimetic adverb for a continuous splashing or pouring sound, like a bucket of water being thrown.
彼はバケツの水をザーッとまいた。
He threw the bucket of water with a splash.
Onomatopoeia for a light, sharp splash, like a small drop hitting a surface. Often used for slapping sounds as well.
水滴が窓にピシャッと当たった。
A drop of water hit the window with a splash.
Express adding a small, informal amount of liquid to something, like a splash of milk in coffee.
Means 'a small amount of'. Neutral and common. Combine with the liquid name.
コーヒーに少量のミルクを入れてください。
Please add a splash of milk to the coffee.
Casual way to say 'a little bit'. Very common in spoken Japanese. Use with the liquid and verb 入れる (put in).
紅茶にミルクをちょっと入れて。
Put a splash of milk in the tea.
Emphasizes a very small amount, like 'just a splash'. Polite and can be used in various contexts.
ほんの少しのレモン汁を加えます。
Add just a splash of lemon juice.
Describe adding a vivid or contrasting element, like a splash of color.
Means 'as an accent'. Used for design or fashion to describe a splash of color or detail.
この部屋にはアクセントとして赤いクッションを置いた。
I added red cushions as a splash of color in this room.
Literally 'coloring', used to mean adding a touch of color or visual interest. Often used in cooking and design.
料理に彩りを加える。
Add a splash of color to the dish.
English 'with a splash' is often an adverbial phrase, but Japanese uses onomatopoeic adverbs (ドボンと, バシャッと) or quantity expressions (少量の). There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses.
ドボンと飛び込む
jump in with a splash
ドボン is a deep, heavy splash (person falling in). ザブン is a large, wave-like splash. バシャン is a sharp, lighter splash (fish, small object). Choose based on the sound and weight.
石を投げるとバシャンと音がした。
When I threw the stone, it went 'splash'.
彼はドボンと川に落ちた。
He fell into the river with a splash.
しょうゆを少量加えてください。
Add a splash of soy sauce.