Entry
ちらちら
chirachira
Describes light things falling gently, lights flickering, or the act of glancing at something repeatedly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word covers several visual and intermittent phenomena. It can describe small, light objects like snow or petals fluttering down gently. It also refers to weak, unstable light that flickers or glimmers. Furthermore, it is commonly used to describe stealing repeated glances at something, or catching brief, intermittent glimpses or rumors.
- Light objects fluttering down
- Flickering or twinkling light
- Repeatedly glancing
- Appearing or being heard intermittently
Sense Map
Falling Lightly
Describes small, weightless things like snowflakes or cherry blossom petals fluttering down gently through the air.
雪がちらちら降っている。
Flickering Light
Describes a weak, unsteady light that flickers, twinkles, or goes on and off in the distance.
遠くの明かりがちらちらしている。
Repeated Glancing
The action of looking at something briefly and repeatedly, often out of curiosity, anxiety, or stealth.
彼は時計をちらちらと見た。
Intermittent Senses
Describes catching glimpses of something or hearing rumors from time to time.
噂がちらちら耳に入る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちらちら(と) + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action occurs, such as falling (降る) or looking (見る).
ちらちらする
Used with the verb suru to indicate the state of a flickering light or a dazzling, unsteady visual sensation.
How to Use
Common Phrases
雪がちらちら降る
snow falls lightly
明かりがちらちらする
lights flicker
時計をちらちら見る
glance at a watch repeatedly
噂がちらちら耳に入る
hear rumors from time to time
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Looking at someone/something | neutral | Can imply curiosity, restlessness (checking a watch), or trying to look without being noticed. |
| Weather (snow) | neutral | Creates a peaceful, delicate image of the first snowflakes beginning to fall. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きらきら きらきら / similar | Used when something is shining brightly, sparkling, or glittering steadily and beautifully. | ちらちら implies a weak, unsteady, flickering light, whereas キラキラ indicates a bright, strong sparkle. | 星がキラキラ光る。 |
ちらほら ちらほら / similar | Used to describe things appearing sparsely, here and there, or scattered in small numbers. | ちらちら focuses on the motion of falling or flickering, while ちらほら focuses on sparse distribution in space or time. | 桜がちらほら咲き始めた。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ちらちら to describe heavy rain.
ちらちら is only for very light, fluttering things like snow or petals. Heavy rain is ざあざあ.
Using ちらちら to describe staring at someone intensely.
ちらちら means stealing quick, repeated glances. If you are staring intensely or rudely, use じろじろ.
Examples
Examples
雪がちらちら降っている。
雪(ゆき)がちらちら降(ふ)っている。
Snow is falling lightly.
VisualDescribes light snow falling gently.
遠くの明かりがちらちらしている。
遠(とお)くの明(あ)かりがちらちらしている。
The distant lights are flickering.
VisualIndicates a weak, unsteady light.
彼は時計をちらちらと見た。
彼(かれ)は時計(とけい)をちらちらと見(み)た。
He glanced at his watch repeatedly.
LiteralThe action of glancing out of concern for the time.
花びらがちらちら舞い落ちる。
花(はな)びらがちらちら舞(ま)い落(お)ちる。
Petals flutter down lightly.
VisualDescribes petals dancing in the air as they fall.
噂がちらちら耳に入る。
噂(うわさ)がちらちら耳(みみ)に入(はい)る。
I hear the rumors from time to time.
FigurativeFigurative use for information that arrives intermittently.
Similar Words
キラキラ
kirakira
Describes light that shines or glitters beautifully and rhythmically. Indicates a constant bright sparkle, not a weak flicker.
ちらほら
chirahora
Describes things that are scattered in small numbers or happen occasionally rather than all at once. Focuses on sparse distribution, not repeated movement.
チカチカ
chikachika
Describes a rapid, repetitive flashing of light, often causing eye discomfort, or a sharp prickling pain.
ひらひら
hirahira
Hirahira describes the light, gentle fluttering or flapping motion of thin objects like petals or cloth in the wind, or refers to frilly designs.
Questions
Can I use ちらちら for stars?
Yes, if the stars are weak and faintly flickering in the distance. However, if they are shining brightly and beautifully, キラキラ is much more common.
What is the difference between ちらちら and じろじろ?
ちらちら means to steal quick, repeated glances. じろじろ means to stare at someone continuously and often impolitely.
Can I say rain is falling ちらちら?
Usually, no. Rain is liquid and doesn't 'flutter'. You would use ぽつぽつ or ぱらぱら for light rain. ちらちら is reserved for snowflakes (雪) or things that flutter like paper or petals.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007910
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- ちらっと (chiratto)