どたどた

どたどた
adverb, onomatopoeia
with heavy clumsy footsteps; clomping; stomping
informalonomatopoeia
1. with loud, heavy footsteps; clomping around noisily
The sound or manner of heavy, clumsy footsteps — people running or walking noisily, as on a wooden floor or stairs. Often suggests a lack of grace or of consideration for the noise.
子(こ)どもがどたどたと走(はし)る。
The children run around noisily.
二階(にかい)でどたどたと足音(あしおと)がする。
There are heavy footsteps stomping around upstairs.
廊下(ろうか)をどたどたと走(はし)ると、下(した)の階(かい)の人(ひと)に迷惑(めいわく)がかかる。
Running down the hallway with heavy footsteps disturbs the people on the floor below.

Imitates loud, heavy, clumsy footsteps — typically of someone running or hurrying noisily indoors. Usually carries a slightly negative tone of clumsiness or inconsideration. Often used as どたどたと.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ばたばた: hurried, busy movement or flapping; emphasizes rushed busyness more than heavy footfalls
  • どすどす: even heavier, more thudding footsteps

Related Words

Compare: ばたばた (hurried, busy movement or flapping)
Compare: どすどす (even heavier, more thudding footsteps)
Compare: どかどか (stomping heavily)
general
Added 2026.6.10 10:34 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
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