ポタポタ

Alternative writings: ぽたぽた, ボタボタ, ぼたぼた, ぼとぼと, ボトボト, ポトポト, ぽとぽと
Frequency:
1

The sound or manner of liquid dripping drop by drop; trickling or drops falling one by one.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Irregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

バケツの底から水がポタポタ落ちている。

Water is dripping from the bottom of the bucket.

夜中に壊れた蛇口がポタポタ音を立てて目が覚めた。

I woke up because the broken faucet was making a drip-drip sound.

雨が屋根からポタポタと落ちて、窓に当たる音がする。

Rain is dripping from the roof and you can hear it hit the window.

2

Wet and heavy (of snow, clay, etc.); moist and dripping in a way that makes things heavy or soggy.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Irregular VerbOnomatopoeic or Mimetic Word

Examples

今年の冬はポタポタした雪が多く、枝に積もると折れそうだ。

This winter there's a lot of wet, heavy snow; when it piles on branches they look like they'll break.

雨の後で道の土がポタポタしていて、靴が泥だらけになった。

After the rain the ground was wet and muddy, and my shoes got covered in mud.

3

(Archaic) a mimetic word for moving slowly or leisurely; now somewhat old-fashioned.

AdverbAdverb Taking 'と'Onomatopoeic or Mimetic WordArchaic

Examples

老人は杖を頼りにポタポタと歩いた。(やや古風な表現)

The old man walked slowly, leaning on his cane. (a somewhat old-fashioned expression)