Entry
ちりんちりん
chirinchirin
The high-pitched, repetitive jingling sound of a small bell, such as a bicycle bell or a wind chime.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ちりんちりん represents a clear, high-pitched ringing or chiming sound. It is specifically used for small bells that produce a light, repetitive jingle. Common associations include the warning ring of a bicycle bell, the gentle chiming of a summer wind chime (fūrin), the bell attached to a shop's front door, or a small bell on a cat's collar.
- Describes intentionally ringing a small bell like on a bicycle.
- Describes the passive ringing of small bells like wind chimes blowing in the breeze.
Sense Map
Warning or Calling Bell
Used when someone intentionally rings a small bell to get attention or serve as a warning, most notably a bicycle bell.
自転車のベルをちりんちりんと鳴らす。
Atmospheric Ringing
Used for the sound of small bells jingling passively due to movement or wind, often creating a light, pleasant atmosphere (e.g., wind chimes).
風鈴がちりんちりんと鳴る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちりんちりんと鳴る
Used with the intransitive verb 'naru' (to ring) to describe a bell ringing or jingling.
ちりんちりん鳴らす
Used with the transitive verb 'narasu' (to make ring) to describe the action of intentionally ringing a bell.
ちりんちりんと
Acts as an adverb modifying the action of sounding or ringing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
自転車のベルをちりんちりんと鳴らす
to ring a bicycle bell (jingle-jangle)
風鈴がちりんちりんと鳴る
a wind chime jingles
ちりんちりんと音がする
a jingling sound is heard
ドアベルがちりんちりんと鳴る
a door bell rings
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Bicycle bells | neutral | The standard sound word for a bicycle bell approaching from behind to warn pedestrians. |
| Wind chimes | positive | Evokes a sense of coolness (ryō) and pleasant nostalgia associated with Japanese summers. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちん ちん / contrast | Use チン for a single, brief 'ding', like a microwave finishing or an elevator arriving. | ちりんちりん implies a continuous or multi-strike jingling sound, while チン is strictly a single, isolated note. | 電子レンジがチンと鳴る。 |
からんころん からんころん / nearby | Use カランコロン for the clattering sound of hard objects, like traditional geta sandals walking or a heavy, old-fashioned shop doorbell. | ちりんちりん is a high-pitched, delicate ringing, whereas カランコロン is a deeper, hollower clinking or clattering sound. | カランコロンとドアが開く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for phone ringtones or digital alarm clocks.
For harsh electronic ringing (like an old telephone), use ジリリリ (jiririri). ちりんちりん is reserved for mechanical, physical small bells.
Using it to describe temple bells.
Large temple bells make a deep, reverberating sound described as ゴーン (gōn), not the light, high pitch of ちりんちりん.
Examples
Examples
自転車が後ろからちりんちりんとベルを鳴らして近づいてきた。
自転車(じてんしゃ)が後ろ(うしろ)からちりんちりんとベルを鳴らして(ならして)近づいて(ちかづいて)きた。
A bicycle approached from behind, ringing its bell.
LiteralThe most common transitive usage for ringing a bicycle bell.
夏風が吹くと、軒先の風鈴がちりんちりんと涼しげに鳴る。
夏風(なつかぜ)が吹く(ふく)と、軒先(のきさき)の風鈴(ふうりん)がちりんちりんと涼しげ(すずしげ)に鳴る(なる)。
When the summer wind blows, the wind chime under the eaves jingles coolly.
LiteralDescribes the passive sound of wind chimes, a hallmark of Japanese summers.
喫茶店のドアを開けると、ちりんちりんと小さな鐘の音がした。
喫茶店(きっさてん)のドアを開ける(あける)と、ちりんちりんと小さな(ちいさな)鐘(かね)の音(おと)がした。
When I opened the coffee shop door, there was the jingling sound of a small bell.
LiteralShows the adverbial usage with 'a sound (oto) is heard'.
迷子にならないように、子どもの靴にちりんちりんと鳴る鈴をつけた。
迷子(まいご)にならないように、子ども(こども)の靴(くつ)にちりんちりんと鳴る(なる)鈴(すず)をつけた。
I attached a jingling bell to my child's shoes so they wouldn't get lost.
LiteralUsed to modify the noun 'bell' (suzu).
卓上ベルをちりんちりん鳴らして、店員を呼んだ。
卓上(たくじょう)ベルをちりんちりん鳴らして(ならして)、店員(てんいん)を呼んだ(よんだ)。
I rang the desk bell and called the clerk.
LiteralOften used without the particle 'to' in casual, direct speech.
Similar Words
チン
chin
A short "ding" sound of a small bell or timer, most commonly used as a casual verb meaning to heat food in a microwave. チン is a single, short ding; ちりんちりん is repetitive.
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. カランコロン is a hollow clatter; ちりんちりん is a clear, high pitch.
りんりん
rinrin
A word that mimics the continuous, clear ringing sound of a small bell or a telephone.
Questions
Can I use ちりんちりん for a doorbell?
If it is a physical small bell attached to a cafe door that jingles when opened, yes. If it is an electronic ding-dong intercom doorbell, use ピンポン (pinpon) instead.
What is the difference between ちりんちりん and りんりん?
Both refer to ringing bells. ちりんちりん specifically highlights the light, repetitive tinkling of small bells, while りんりん is very similar but can sometimes imply a more continuous ring or the sound of autumn insects.
Does it have any figurative meanings?
No, it is strictly used as an auditory mimetic word (giongo) for the physical sound of small bells ringing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121380
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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