Entry
ビリビリ
biribiri
Biribiri describes the loud sound of vigorously ripping paper or the sharp sensation of an electric shock.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, biribiri primarily depicts three intense physical experiences: forcefully ripping paper or cloth to shreds, receiving a strong electric shock or severe numbness, and feeling powerful vibrations traveling through an object.
- ripping to pieces
- electric shock or numbness
- strong vibration
Sense Map
Ripping paper or cloth
Describes forcefully tearing paper or cloth to pieces with a vigorous, loud sound.
紙をビリビリに破く。
Electric shock
The physical sensation of being electrocuted or feeling severe numbness traveling through the body.
電気がビリビリと走る。
Intense vibration
Strong, rapid vibrations felt physically, often caused by loud noises or vibrating machinery.
窓ガラスがビリビリ震える。
Usage Note
How to Use
ビリビリに + verb
Indicates the resultant state of destruction, such as tearing something into small pieces.
ビリビリ + verb
Describes the forceful manner in which something vibrates or acts.
ビリビリ（と）する
Expresses feeling a sharp sensation like real electricity or intense bodily numbness.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ビリビリに破く
to tear to pieces
電気がビリビリする
to feel an electric shock
ビリビリ震える
to vibrate intensely
手足がビリビリ痺れる
one's limbs tingle severely / go totally numb
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tearing objects | neutral | Implies a vigorous, forceful action that completely shreds the object without hesitation. |
| Physical sensations | negative | Describes unpleasant, severe physical feelings like static shocks or heavy numbness. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぴりぴり ぴりぴり / similar | Use for minor tears, a mild sting, or a tense and nervous atmosphere. | Biribiri is much stronger, louder, and lacks the psychological nervous meaning found in piripiri. | 肌がピリピリする。 |
ばりばり ばりばり / similar | Use for tearing hard or stiff materials, or for acting with extreme energetic vigor. | Biribiri is strictly for tearing thinner flexible things (paper, cloth) and for electricity or vibrations. | バリバリ働く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using biribiri for mild spiciness.
For a light sting on the tongue from spices, use piripiri. Biribiri implies an extreme, numbing shock.
Using it to describe feeling emotionally nervous or scared.
Biribiri does not mean being nervous. Use bikubiku for fear, or piripiri for a tense social atmosphere.
Examples
Examples
秘密のメモをビリビリに破いて捨てた。
ひみつのメモをビリビリにやぶいてすてた。
I tore the secret memo to shreds and threw it away.
LiteralShows the forceful action of tearing paper into many small pieces.
セーターを脱ぐとき、静電気でビリビリと痛かった。
セーターをぬぐとき、せいでんきでビリビリといたかった。
When I took off my sweater, it hurt with a static electric shock.
LiteralUsed for the stinging sensation of static electricity.
長時間正座をしていたので、足がビリビリ痺れている。
ちょうじかんせいざをしていたので、あしがビリビリしびれている。
Because I sat in seiza for a long time, my legs are severely numb.
LiteralDescribes a severe numbness that feels like an electric shock.
雷の大きな音で、窓ガラスがビリビリ震えた。
かみなりの大きなおとで、まどガラスがビリビリふるえた。
The loud sound of thunder made the windowpanes vibrate intensely.
VisualIndicates high-frequency vibrations traveling through the air.
封筒をビリビリと破って開けた。
ふうとうをビリビリとやぶってあけた。
I tore the envelope open vigorously.
LiteralIndicates the action of ripping paper open quickly and forcefully.
Similar Words
バリバリ
baribari
バリバリ describes doing something with intense energy and force, such as working highly effectively, tearing things roughly, or eating hard food with a loud crunch. Describes tearing or crunching much harder, stiffer materials compared to biribiri.
ピリピリ
piripiri
ピリピリ (piripiri) describes a sharp tingling or stinging sensation, a highly tense or nervous atmosphere, or the light sound of paper ripping. A much lighter stinging sensation, or a tense, nervous atmosphere.
ビクビク
bikubiku
Describes a state of being nervous, afraid, or trembling in anticipation of something bad happening.
Questions
Can I use biribiri for an earthquake?
No, biribiri is for high-frequency vibrations like a window rattling from thunder. Use guragura or gatagata for earthquakes.
What is the difference between tearing something biribiri vs. piripiri?
Biribiri is forcefully ripping it to large shreds with a loud noise. Piripiri is carefully tearing it bit by bit.
Does it only refer to real electricity?
No, it also describes intense bodily numbness or a pins-and-needles sensation that mimics an electric shock.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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