Entry
ちゃりん
charin
Describes a light, clear, and high-pitched metallic clinking sound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
An onomatopoeia representing the sharp, light sound of small metal objects hitting each other or a surface, such as coins dropping or keys jingling.
- clinking of coins
- ringing of a small bell
Sense Map
Small metal objects
The light clinking sound of small metallic items, such as coins dropping, keys hitting each other, or a small bell ringing.
小銭がちゃりんと落ちる。
Bicycle bell (single ring)
The short, sharp ring of a bicycle bell.
自転車のベルがちゃりんと鳴る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちゃりんと + 動詞
Most commonly takes the particle 'to' to modify sound-producing or dropping verbs.
ちゃりんちゃりん
Repeated to show multiple coins dropping or continuous jingling.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちゃりんと鳴る
to ring with a clink
ちゃりんと落ちる
to drop with a clink
ちゃりんと音を立てる
to make a clinking sound
小銭がちゃりんと
coins clink
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dropping a coin | neutral | The most classic use, representing the light, clean sound of a coin hitting a surface or falling into a piggy bank. |
| Ringing a bicycle bell | neutral | Represents a light, singular ring to get attention mildly, as opposed to repeated frantic ringing. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
かちゃかちゃ かちゃかちゃ / nearby | Use for the continuous rattling or clattering of multiple hard objects (metal, ceramic, plastic) being moved around. | Charin is usually a single, distinct, higher-pitched clink, whereas kachakacha is a continuous, noisy rattling. | 鍵をカチャカチャ鳴らす |
からんころん からんころん / nearby | Use for a hollow, echoing clank or clatter, such as ice in a glass, wooden clogs, or an old-fashioned shop bell. | Charin is higher-pitched and sharper, typically associated with small solid metals like coins. | カランコロンと氷が鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy metal crashes.
Charin is specifically for light, small, high-pitched metallic sounds. For heavy crashes, use 'gashan'.
Using it for continuous loud rattling.
Charin is usually a singular or sparse clink. For continuous noisy rattling of metal, use 'gashagasha' or 'kachakacha'.
Examples
Examples
貯金箱に硬貨を落とすと、ちゃりんと音がした。
ちょきんばこにこうかをおとすと、ちゃりんとオトがした。
When I dropped the coin into the piggy bank, it made a clink.
LiteralA common context of saving coins.
ポケットの中で鍵がちゃりんと鳴る。
ポケットのなかでかぎがちゃりんとなる。
The keys clinked in my pocket.
LiteralKeys jingling.
後ろから自転車がちゃりんとベルを鳴らした。
うしろからじてんしゃがちゃりんとベルをならした。
A bicycle from behind rang its bell with a light clink.
LiteralA single bell ring.
床に指輪を落としてしまい、ちゃりんと響いた。
ゆかにゆびわをおとしてしまい、ちゃりんとひびいた。
I dropped my ring on the floor, and it echoed with a metallic clink.
LiteralDropping a small metal ring.
お賽銭箱に小銭をちゃりんと投げ入れた。
おさいせんばこにこぜにをちゃりんとなげいれた。
I tossed some coins into the offering box with a clink.
LiteralTossing an offering coin.
Similar Words
カランコロン
karankoron
The clear, hollow sound of wooden clogs (geta), an old-fashioned shop doorbell, or ice clinking in a glass. Echoing clink, like ice or wood.
カチン
kachin
'Kachin' (カチン) is a Japanese expression for a sharp, sudden feeling of annoyance or offense.
カチャカチャ
kachakacha
The light, repeated clinking or clicking sound of small, hard objects like keys, dishes, or a keyboard. Continuous noisy rattling of metal.
Questions
Can charin be used for glass?
No, charin strongly implies metal. For glass, 'chiin' or 'karankoron' might be more appropriate depending on the sound.
Is charin loud?
No, it implies a relatively quiet, light, and sharp sound, not a heavy or disruptive noise.
Can it be repeated?
Yes, 'charin charin' is used when there are multiple clinks, like several coins dropping one after another.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2838240
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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