ぽっかり

Alternative writings: ポッカリ
Frequency:
1

Lightly; gently — e.g., something floating lightly or remaining softly in place.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

青空に雲がぽっかり浮かんでいる。

A cloud is floating lightly in the blue sky.

箱の中にぽっかりとスペースが残っている。

There's a small empty space left in the box.

壁にぽっかり穴が開いていた。

There was a gaping hole in the wall.

2

Wide open; gaping — used for openings, gaps, or spaces that are noticeably open.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

ニュースを見て、胸にぽっかり穴が開いたような気持ちになった。

After watching the news, I felt as if a hole had opened in my chest.

古い建物の壁にぽっかりと窓が残っている。

An old building still has a window-shaped gap in its wall.

机の上にぽっかり空いたスペースに本を置いた。

I put the book in the empty space on the desk.

3

Suddenly; unexpectedly — something appearing or happening abruptly.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

会議の途中で彼がぽっかりと姿を消した。

In the middle of the meeting he suddenly disappeared.

休みの日に予定がぽっかり空いてしまった。

My plans for the day off suddenly became empty.

問題が解決したと思ったら、新しい問題がぽっかり出てきた。

Just when I thought the problem was solved, a new one suddenly appeared.