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Entry

ちらりほらり

chirarihorari

Describes things falling lightly or appearing sparsely here and there.

Meaning

Quick Meaning

"ちらりほらり" depicts a state where things occur sporadically, appear sparsely, or fall lightly. It conveys a gentle, intermittent impression and is often used to describe falling petals, light snow, or people gathering slowly in twos and threes.

  • falling or fluttering lightly
  • appearing here and there
  • happening sporadically

Sense Map

Falling lightly

Used to describe light objects like petals, leaves, or snow fluttering or falling sparsely.

雪がちらりほらり降る。

Appearing sparsely

Describes people or things appearing, arriving, or existing here and there in small numbers.

人がちらりほらり集まる。

Usage Note

How to Use

  • ちらりほらりと + verb

    Used as an adverb modifying a verb to describe an action occurring sparsely or lightly. The particle 'to' is commonly added.

  • ちらりほらり + verb

    Used directly before a verb without the particle 'to'. The meaning remains identical.

How to Use

Common Phrases

ちらりほらりと舞う

to flutter down lightly (petals, leaves)

ちらりほらりと降る

to fall sparsely (snow, rain)

ちらりほらりと見える

to be seen sparsely here and there

ちらりほらりと集まる

to gather in twos and threes

Nuance

Context Nuance

Common ContextsNuanceUsage Note
Nature (snow, flower petals)positiveConveys a gentle, poetic, and elegant atmosphere of things fluttering.
People or eventsneutralSimply implies a low density, scattered presence, or unhurried arrival.

Similar Words

Comparison Table

Similar WordsWhen to UseNot the Same asMini Example

ちらほら

ちらほら / similar

Can be used interchangeably for things happening sparsely. It is more common in everyday conversation."ちらほら" is more conversational and focuses on sporadic frequency, whereas "ちらりほらり" is a bit more poetic and emphasizes gentle, rhythmic movement.桜がちらほら咲き始めた。

ぽつぽつ

ぽつぽつ / nearby

Used when things happen little by little in sequence, like the first drops of rain or people arriving one by one."ぽつぽつ" focuses on distinct points or drops happening intermittently, rather than a light, spatial scattering in the air.雨がぽつぽつ降ってきた。

Usage Note

Common Mistakes

Using it for heavy, continuous rain or intense weather.

It should only be used for very light, sparse phenomena like a gentle snowfall.

Using it to describe a dense, large crowd.

It specifically means people are gathering sparsely or in small, separated groups.

Examples

Examples

桜の花びらが風に吹かれて、ちらりほらりと舞い落ちている。

さくらの はなびらが かぜに ふかれて、ちらりほらりと まいおちている。

Cherry blossom petals are blown by the wind, fluttering down lightly.

VisualEmphasizes the gentle, scattered movement of falling petals.

Source: Internal

雪がちらりほらりと降り始めました。

ゆきが ちらりほらりと ふりはじめました。

Snow has started to fall sparsely.

VisualDescribes snow that is not yet heavy, just falling lightly in small amounts.

Source: Internal

開店時間が近づき、お客さんがちらりほらりと集まってきた。

かいてんじかんが ちかづき、おきゃくさんが ちらりほらりと あつまってきた。

As opening time approached, customers began to gather in twos and threes.

LiteralIndicates that people are arriving gradually, not all at once.

Source: Internal

遠くに人家の明かりがちらりほらり見えます。

とおくに じんかの あかりが ちらりほらり みえます。

The lights of houses can be seen sparsely in the distance.

VisualUsed to describe something seen scattered across a wide distance.

Source: Internal

会場には、空席がちらりほらり残っていた。

かいじょうには、くうせきが ちらりほらり のこっていた。

There were empty seats remaining here and there in the venue.

VisualIndicates a few empty spaces scattered unevenly.

Source: Internal

Similar Words

Questions

Can I use this word for a heavy snowstorm?

No, it is only used for light, sparse falling, such as the gentle fluttering of a few snowflakes.

What is the difference between 'chirari horari' and 'chirahora'?

They mean almost the same thing, but 'chirari horari' has a slightly more poetic rhythm and focuses more on the gentle movement of scattered things.

Can this describe someone's personality?

No, it is strictly used to describe physical occurrences—how things are spatially scattered or happen intermittently.

Source Details

Entry ID
2253840
Source
JMdict_english
Revision
-
Review notes
No special notes
Active language
English
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