ポカンと
ぽかんと
adverb, onomatopoeia
blankly; absent-mindedly; gaping
1.
blankly; absent-mindedly; with a vacant expression
Having a dazed or blank expression, typically because one is stunned, confused, or spacing out. Often describes someone staring with their mouth open.
ポカンと口を開けていた。
He was gaping with his mouth open.
突然のことにポカンとしてしまった。
I was left dazed by the sudden turn of events.
難しい説明を聞いて、子どもたちはポカンとした顔をしていた。
After hearing the difficult explanation, the children had blank expressions on their faces.
ポカンと is a mimetic adverb describing a blank, dazed, or absent-minded state. It often conveys being stunned into inaction or staring vacantly.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ポカンとする: to be dazed, to space out
- ポカンと口を開ける: to gape open-mouthed
- ポカンとした顔: a blank/dazed face
- ポカンと立っている: to stand blankly
- ポカンと見ている: to stare blankly
GRAMMAR:
Used as an adverb before verbs, or with する to form a na-adjective-like expression (ポカンとした表情).
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ぼんやり: vaguely, absent-mindedly (broader, less dramatic)
- きょとん: blankly, with a puzzled look
- ぽかん: lighter variant (sometimes written without と)