An onomatopoeic/mimetic word for flapping or fluttering (e.g., a flag or fan), or for repeatedly striking/whacking motions; often used as 'パタパタする'.
洗濯物が風に吹かれてベランダでパタパタしている。
The laundry is flapping on the balcony in the wind.
おばあちゃんが座布団を外でパタパタしてほこりを払った。
Grandma beat the cushions outside (pat-pat) to remove the dust.
扇子をパタパタして涼をとった。
She fanned herself, pat-pat, to cool down.
An onomatopoeic word for light, quick footsteps (pitter-patter), often used for children's steps or small, hurried footfalls.
朝、子どもの小さな足音が廊下でパタパタと聞こえた。
In the morning, the little footsteps of the child could be heard pitter-pattering down the hall.
猫がパタパタと部屋を走り回っている。
The cat is running around the room with light pitter-patter steps.
雨で屋根に水が落ち、パタパタと音がする。
Rainwater falling on the roof makes a pattering sound.
An onomatopoeic word for moving quickly or making rapid progress, doing many tasks in quick succession (as in 'to clear things away quickly').
彼女は出発前にパタパタと荷物をまとめた。
She quickly packed her things before leaving.
テスト前はパタパタと準備することが多い。
Before exams I often rush around getting things ready in a hurry.
店員がパタパタと数人の客を手早く対応した。
The clerk quickly dealt with several customers in rapid succession.