Entry
チロチロ
chirochiro
Chirochiro describes a weak, continuous, or small-scale action, such as a delicate flame flickering, a tiny stream trickling, or someone making subtle, repeated glances.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word emphasizes actions that lack force but continue steadily. It is most commonly used for visual movements: a tiny flame dancing weakly, a very thin and quiet stream of water, or eyes darting to look at something stealthily and repeatedly.
- Flickering flame
- Trickling water
- Repeated glancing
Sense Map
Fire and Light
Describes the weak, flickering movement of a very small flame or light.
ロウソクの火がチロチロと燃えている。
Flowing Water
Describes a very thin, weak trickle of water.
水道から水がチロチロ流れている。
Glancing
Describes looking at something with quick, subtle, or stealthy repeated glances.
彼はチロチロと時計を見ている。
Usage Note
How to Use
チロチロ（と）+ verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action occurs. The 'to' is optional but commonly used, especially with verbs like moeru (to burn), nagareru (to flow), or miru (to look).
チロチロする
Functions as a verb meaning 'to flicker' or 'to trickle', though it is less common than the adverbial form.
How to Use
Common Phrases
チロチロと燃える
burning with a weak flicker
チロチロと流れる
trickling weakly
チロチロと見る
glancing subtly
チロチロ揺れる
flickering weakly (of a flame)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Small fire or water flow | neutral | Gives the impression that the movement is very delicate, fragile, and might stop or go out at any moment. |
| Looking at something | neutral | Can imply sneakiness or distraction, but can also describe someone being shy or hesitant. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちょろちょろ ちょろちょろ / similar | Use 'chorochoro' for a slightly stronger flow of water or a flame that moves more actively. | While 'chirochiro' is very weak and delicate, 'chorochoro' implies slightly more volume or active movement. | ちょろちょろと水が流れる。 |
ちらちら ちらちら / similar | Use 'chirachira' for intermittent visual stimuli, like light flashing on and off, snow falling lightly, or taking quick, scattered glances. | 'Chirachira' feels more scattered or blinking (on/off), whereas 'chirochiro' (for fire/water) feels like a continuous, weak stream or movement. | 星がちらちら光る。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'chirochiro' for a bright, flashing light.
Use 'pikapika' or 'chikachika' for bright flashes. 'Chirochiro' is only for weak, delicate flames.
Using 'chirochiro' for staring at someone continuously.
Use 'jiito' for staring. 'Chirochiro' is for quick, repeated glances.
Examples
Examples
暗い部屋で、ろうそくの火がチロチロと燃えていた。
暗い(くらい) 部屋(へや) で、 ろうそく(ろうそく) の(の) 火(ひ) が(が) チロチロと(ちろちろと) 燃えて(もえて) いた(いた)。
In the dark room, the candle flame was burning with a weak flicker.
VisualUsed to emphasize the weak, delicate movement of the small flame.
水道から水がチロチロと流れている。
水道(すいどう) から(から) 水(みず) が(が) チロチロと(ちろちろと) 流れて(ながれて) いる(いる)。
Water is trickling weakly from the tap.
LiteralDescribes a very thin, continuous stream of water.
テスト中、彼は隣の人の答えをチロチロ見ていた。
テスト(てすと) 中(ちゅう)、 彼(かれ) は(は) 隣(となり) の(の) 人(ひと) の(の) 答え(こたえ) を(を) チロチロ(ちろちろ) 見て(みて) いた(いた)。
During the test, he kept taking stealthy glances at his neighbor's answers.
FigurativeShows the sneaky, repeated nature of the glances.
たき火が消えそうになり、チロチロと揺れている。
たき火(たきび) が(が) 消えそう(きえそう) に(に) なり(なり)、 チロチロと(ちろちろと) 揺れて(ゆれて) いる(いる)。
The bonfire is about to go out and is flickering weakly.
VisualHighlights the fragile state of the flame before it goes out.
その子は恥ずかしそうに、お母さんの後ろからチロチロとこちらを見た。
その(その) 子(こ) は(は) 恥ずかしそう(はずかしそう) に(に)、 お母さん(おかあさん) の(の) 後ろ(うしろ) から(から) チロチロと(ちろちろと) こちら(こちら) を(を) 見た(みた)。
The child looked shy and kept peeking at us from behind their mother.
VisualDescribes timid, quick glances directed at someone.
Similar Words
ちょろちょろ
chorochoro
Describes a small, weak flow of water, flickering flames, or the quick, restless darting of small creatures. Also used for fire and water, but indicates a slightly stronger or more active flow/movement than chirochiro.
ちらちら
chirachira
Describes light things falling gently, lights flickering, or the act of glancing at something repeatedly. Focuses more on intermittent flashing (on/off) of light or scattered glances, rather than a continuous weak movement.
チラリ
chirari
Describes the action of looking at something briefly or something appearing for a fleeting moment.
ちらっと
chiratto
To see or hear something briefly or by accident.
Questions
What is the difference between chirochiro and chorochoro?
Both can describe fire and trickling water, but 'chorochoro' indicates a slightly stronger flow or a more active flame. 'Chirochiro' feels very delicate, thin, and weak.
Can I use chirochiro for a flashing streetlamp?
Usually not. For bright artificial lights that flash on and off, 'chikachika' or 'pikapika' is better. 'Chirochiro' is meant for small, naturally weak flames.
Does chirochiro always have a negative meaning when describing looking?
Not necessarily. While it can imply sneakiness or distraction, it can also just describe shy, hesitant glances.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2534660
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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