Japanese symbol for “flapping”
バタバタ
バタバタ
Romaji: batabata
flapping; rattling; fluttering
In Japanese, flapping is バタバタ (batabata).
Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.
Meanings
- adv, adv-to, vs flapping; rattling; fluttering
- adv, adv-to, vs (running) with a clatter; noisily; thrashing (around); floundering; flailing
- adv, adv-to (falling) one after another; in quick succession
- adv, adv-to, vs busily; hurriedly; in a fluster; in a rush; rushing around; bustling about
- adv, adv-to quickly; briskly; with dispatch
- n motorcycle; three-wheeler truck
Written forms: —. Readings: バタバタ、ばたばた.
Other Japanese words for “flapping”
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| パタパタ | パタパタ patapata | flapping (of a flag, fan, etc.); fluttering; whack-whack (e.g. beating dust out of a rug) |
| ひらひら | ひらひら hirahira | fluttering; flapping; waving |
| ばさばさ | ばさばさ basabasa | rustling; flapping; fluttering |
| ぱくぱく | ぱくぱく pakupaku | flapping (e.g. shoe sole); gaping open and shut |
| 翩翻 | へんぽん henpon | fluttering (flag, etc.); flapping; waving |
Data: JMdict (CC BY-SA 4.0); KANJIDIC2 (CC BY-SA 4.0); KanjiVG (CC BY-SA 3.0); wordfreq (CC BY-SA 4.0 (data)). Retrieved 2026-10-22.