Entry
チカチカ
chikachika
Describes a rapid, repetitive flashing of light, often causing eye discomfort, or a sharp prickling pain.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Chikachika represents a rapid flickering or flashing of light. Unlike pleasant twinkling, it often implies an uncomfortable, glaring brightness that dazzles or hurts the eyes, such as looking at a bright screen, loud colors, or a failing fluorescent lamp. It can also describe a repetitive, sharp prickling physical pain.
- rapidly flashing lights
- dazzling the eyes
- prickling physical pain
Sense Map
Flickering Light
Used for lights that turn on and off rapidly, such as a failing bulb or glaring neon signs.
ネオンサインがチカチカ光る
Eye Discomfort
Describes the dazzled, uncomfortable sensation in the eyes after looking at something too bright or visually loud.
目がチカチカする
Prickling Pain
Describes a repetitive, sharp, and stinging physical pain.
傷口がチカチカ痛む
Usage Note
How to Use
チカチカする
Functions as a verb to mean 'to flicker' or 'to feel dazzled'.
チカチカ（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how something shines or hurts.
目がチカチカする
A very common set phrase meaning one's eyes are dazzled, hurt from bright light, or seeing spots.
How to Use
Common Phrases
目がチカチカする
eyes feel dazzled / seeing spots
チカチカ光る
to flash / to flicker
画面がチカチカする
the screen is flickering
傷口がチカチカ痛む
a wound prickles with pain
チカチカする色
loud, glaring colors
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Lighting and screens | negative | Often indicates a malfunction (like a broken bulb) or a poorly adjusted, overly bright screen. |
| Eye sensation | negative | Expresses visual fatigue, seeing spots, or the afterimage left by looking at a bright light. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きらきら きらきら / contrast | Use for beautiful, pleasant sparkling or twinkling (e.g., stars, jewels). | Kirakira is positive and beautiful, while chikachika often implies annoyance or glare. | 星がキラキラ光る |
ぴかぴか ぴかぴか / contrast | Use for surfaces that are shiny, polished, or brand new. | Pikapika describes a clean shine or a slower, distinct flash, unlike the rapid, annoying flicker of chikachika. | ピカピカの靴 |
ちくちく ちくちく / nearby | Use for a continuous stinging or prickling pain, often from clothing or a sharp point. | Both can mean prickling pain, but chikuchiku is more common for skin irritations, whereas chikachika is strongly associated with vision. | セーターがチクチクする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using chikachika to describe a beautifully starry night sky.
Use kirakira for beautiful stars. Chikachika implies the light is glaring or unpleasantly sharp.
Using it to mean a single bright flash of lightning.
Use ピカッ for a single strong flash. Chikachika is for continuous, rapid flickering.
Examples
Examples
画面が明るすぎて、目がチカチカする。
がめんがあかるすぎて、めがチカチカする。
The screen is so bright that it dazzles my eyes.
VisualThe most common usage for expressing eye strain or dazzle from a screen.
遠くでネオンサインがチカチカと光っている。
とおくでネオンサインがチカチカとひかっている。
A neon sign is flashing in the distance.
VisualDescribes the rapid on-and-off flashing pattern of neon lights.
蛍光灯がチカチカしているので、そろそろ寿命だ。
けいこうとうがチカチカしているので、そろそろじゅみょうだ。
The fluorescent light is flickering, so it's about time to replace it.
VisualOften used for failing lights that flicker annoyingly.
太陽を直接見たので、まだ視界がチカチカしている。
たいようをちょくせつみたので、まだしかいがチカチカしている。
Because I looked directly at the sun, my vision is still seeing spots.
VisualShows the afterimage or spots left in the eyes after seeing bright light.
転んだ時の傷口がチカチカと痛む。
ころんだときのきずぐちがチカチカといたむ。
The wound from when I fell prickles with pain.
LiteralA non-light-related usage describing a sharp, repetitive physical pain.
Similar Words
キラキラ
kirakira
Describes light that shines or glitters beautifully and rhythmically. For beautiful twinkling like stars, contrasting with the annoying glare of chikachika.
ピカピカ
pikapika
ピカピカ describes something that is shiny, spotlessly clean, or brand new. For shiny, clean surfaces or slower, more distinct flashes.
チクチク
chikuchiku
チクチク (chikuchiku) describes a repeated, superficial prickling or stinging sensation, or biting remarks that emotionally sting. Both mean prickling pain, but chikuchiku is more common for skin and itchiness.
Questions
Can I use chikachika for stars?
It can be used for stars that seem to flicker sharply, but kirakira is much better and more common for beautiful, romantic twinkling.
Does it always imply something negative?
Not inherently, but it frequently carries a nuance of annoyance, discomfort, or a glaring quality that tires the eyes.
Is the pain meaning common?
Yes, but for pain, chikuchiku is more broadly used. Chikachika is specific to a sharp, stinging pain like a fresh scratch or a burn.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2080500
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ギラッと (giratto)
- Next entry
- ピシャッと (pishatto)