Entry
ちらっと
chiratto
To see or hear something briefly or by accident.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A word describing an action or event that lasts for a very short time, most commonly used for catching a quick glimpse of something or accidentally overhearing something.
- Quick glance
- Overhearing briefly
Sense Map
Quick glance
Used when staring, glancing, or looking at something for a very brief moment.
時計をちらっと見る
Overhearing briefly
Used when your ears catch a conversation or sound accidentally and fleetingly.
噂話をちらっと聞いた
Usage Note
How to Use
ちらっと + verb
Placed directly before a verb to describe that the action is done in a fleeting or momentary manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちらっと見る
to glance at
ちらっと聞こえる
to overhear briefly
ちらっと耳にする
to catch a rumor/news briefly
ちらっと振り返る
to glance back
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Looking towards someone | neutral | Usually not offensive if you just glance, unlike staring fixedly. |
| Hearing rumors | neutral | Often used as a casual introductory remark, like 'I heard a brief rumor that...' |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じろじろ じろじろ / opposite | When someone stares continuously at something without looking away. | Opposite of ちらっと, which is brief, じろじろ means to stare fixedly and is often considered impolite. | 人をじろじろ見る |
ちらり ちらり / similar | Just like ちらっと, used for a fleeting glance or glimpse. | The meaning is nearly identical, though チラリ can sometimes sound a bit more descriptive or literary. | チラリと見る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ちらっと for skimming a book entirely.
Use ざっと (zatto) for skimming through something as a whole. ちらっと is just for a momentary glance, not for scanning text.
Thinking ちらっと means to look carefully.
ちらっと emphasizes that the looking action is very short and might not catch details (a glimpse).
Examples
Examples
会議中に、彼は時計をちらっと見た。
かいぎちゅうに、かれはとけいをちらっとみた。
During the meeting, he glanced at his watch.
LiteralA very brief looking action, possibly to be unnoticed.
隣の人の話をちらっと聞いてしまった。
となりのひとのはなしをちらっときいてしまった。
I accidentally overheard a bit of the conversation from the person next to me.
LiteralShows that the sound was caught by the ears unintentionally.
誰かに呼ばれた気がして、ちらっと後ろを振り返った。
だれかによばれたきがして、ちらっとうしろをふりかえった。
I felt like someone called me, so I briefly glanced behind me.
VisualA quick and short movement to confirm something.
彼の名前をニュースでちらっと耳にしました。
かれのなまえをニュースでちらっとみみにしました。
I caught his name briefly on the news.
FigurativeHearing an important piece of information even if only for a moment.
窓の外に白い猫がちらっと見えた。
まどのそとにしろいねこがちらっとみえた。
I caught a brief glimpse of a white cat outside the window.
VisualThe object is seen only for a moment before passing or disappearing.
Similar Words
チラリ
chirari
Describes the action of looking at something briefly or something appearing for a fleeting moment. Similar, with a slightly more descriptive nuance.
じろじろ
jirojiro
To stare at someone or something fixedly and scrutinizingly, often in a rude or intrusive manner. Opposite, meaning to stare openly and continuously.
Questions
Is ちらっと only for looking?
No, it can also be used for hearing (like catching a rumor or sound) briefly and unintentionally.
What is the difference between ちらっと and ざっと?
ちらっと means the duration is very brief (a glance), whereas ざっと means doing something roughly but fully (like skimming a book or looking over a whole area).
Is ちらっと polite to use?
Yes, it is a neutral word that fits easily into polite and casual everyday conversations.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007920
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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