ぽっかり

adverb

gaping open; floating lightly

1. gaping; wide open

Describes something opening up or appearing suddenly, creating a distinct void or opening. Often suggests unexpectedness.

地面(じめん)にぽっかり穴(あな)が開(あ)いていた。

There was a gaping hole in the ground.

心(こころ)にぽっかり穴(あな)が空(あ)いた気(き)がする。

I feel like there's a gaping hole in my heart.

崖(がけ)の途中(とちゅう)にぽっかりと洞窟(どうくつ)の入(い)り口(ぐち)が開(あ)いていた。

A cave opening gaped in the middle of the cliff face.

2. floating lightly; drifting

Describes something floating gently in the air or water, especially clouds or the moon appearing serenely.

空(そら)にぽっかりと月(つき)が浮(う)かんでいる。

The moon is floating serenely in the sky.

白(しろ)い雲(くも)がぽっかり浮(う)かんでいる。

White clouds are floating gently.

湖(みずうみ)にぽっかりと小(ちい)さな島(しま)が浮(う)かんでいて、とても美(うつく)しい景色(けしき)だった。

A small island was floating gently in the lake, making for a beautiful view.

ぽっかり is a 擬態語(ぎたいご) (mimetic word) with two distinct senses: a sudden, conspicuous opening, and gentle floating. Both share a sense of something appearing clearly against its background.

Common patterns

ぽっかり(穴(あな)が)開(あ)く (a hole opens up, gapes)
ぽっかり浮(う)かぶ (to float gently)
心(こころ)にぽっかり穴(あな)が空(あ)く (to feel an emotional void)
ぽっかりと月(つき)が出(で)る (the moon appears serenely)

Usage

Often followed by the particle と: ぽっかりと. Conveys a visual image — something standing out in an otherwise uniform scene. The 'opening' sense suggests unexpectedness; the 'floating' sense suggests calm serenity.

Similar words

ぱっくり: gaping wide (mouths, wounds — more dramatic)
ふわふわ: floating softly (lighter, more playful)
ぽつんと: alone and small in a large space

Related Words

Compare: ふわふわ (floating softly)

general

Added 2026.1.17 6:25 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

05500/05988_pokkari