Entry
ちょろちょろ
chorochoro
Describes a small, weak flow of water, flickering flames, or the quick, restless darting of small creatures.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word representing continuous, small-scale phenomena. It typically describes a thin, weak stream of liquid trickling, a small fire flickering unsteadily, or small animals and children darting around restlessly.
- Trickling water
- Flickering flames
- Darting movements
Sense Map
Trickling Water
Used to describe a thin, weak flow of liquid, like a leaky faucet or a small stream.
水がちょろちょろ流れる。
Flickering Flames
Describes small, unsteady flames of a fire.
火がちょろちょろ燃える。
Darting Movements
Describes small creatures or children moving around quickly and restlessly, often getting in the way.
ネズミがちょろちょろする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちょろちょろ（と） + verb
Used as an adverb to describe the manner of flowing, burning, or moving.
ちょろちょろする
A verb meaning to dart around restlessly or to get in the way.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちょろちょろ流れる
to flow in a trickle
ちょろちょろ燃える
to flicker (of flames)
水がちょろちょろ出る
water trickles out
ちょろちょろする
to dart about restlessly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water/Liquid | neutral | Describes a continuous but very weak and thin flow. |
| Fire | neutral | Describes small flames that lack power and flicker unsteadily. |
| Movements | negative | When used for people, it often conveys annoyance that they are restlessly getting in the way. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うろちょろ うろちょろ / contrast | Used when someone wanders around aimlessly or suspiciously without a clear destination. | ちょろちょろ implies small, quick movements (like a mouse), whereas うろちょろ is wandering around without purpose. | 変な人がうろちょろしている。 |
ちろちろ ちろちろ / similar | Used for even smaller, weaker flames or trickles, or for glancing repeatedly. | Very similar to ちょろちょろ for fire and water, but チロチロ is often finer and weaker, and has the extra meaning of glancing. | 火がチロチロ燃える。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a large waterfall or river.
Only use it for very small, weak streams of liquid.
Using it to describe an adult walking confidently.
It implies small, restless, or darting movements, usually associated with animals or children.
Examples
Examples
水道から水がちょろちょろと出ている。
すいどうからみずがちょろちょろとでている。
Water is trickling from the faucet.
LiteralUsed for a weak flow of water.
焚き火の火がちょろちょろ燃えている。
たきびのひがちょろちょろもえている。
The bonfire is flickering with small flames.
VisualDescribes a small, weak fire.
ネズミが部屋の隅をちょろちょろと逃げていった。
ねずみがへやのすみをちょろちょろとにげていった。
The mouse darted away quickly in the corner of the room.
VisualFocuses on the quick movements of small creatures.
子どもたちが足元をちょろちょろして危ない。
こどもたちがあしもとをちょろちょろしてあぶない。
It's dangerous because the children are darting around restlessly underfoot.
VisualCarries a slightly annoying nuance of moving around restlessly.
小川が岩の間をちょろちょろ流れる。
おがわがいわのあいだをちょろちょろながれる。
The small stream trickles between the rocks.
LiteralUsed for a thin, natural flow of water.
Similar Words
チロチロ
chirochiro
Very similar when describing fire or water, but チロチロ is typically even finer and weaker.
Questions
Can I use ちょろちょろ for heavy rain?
No, it specifically describes a small, weak flow. Heavy rain is described differently.
Is it rude to say someone is ちょろちょろしている?
Yes, it implies they are moving around restlessly like a small animal and getting in the way.
Does ちょろちょろ only apply to water?
No, it can also be used for small flickering flames and the quick movements of small animals or children.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007890
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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