Entry
ちょろり
chorori
Flowing in a small trickle, or doing something very quickly, briefly, or carelessly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes something small in volume or short in duration. It is typically used for a very weak, thin trickle of liquid, a brief and hasty physical action (like a quick glance), or a careless slip of the tongue.
- Used for a tiny, trickling flow of liquid.
- Used for very quick, brief physical movements.
- Used for carelessly letting a secret or remark slip.
Sense Map
Brief & Quick Action
Performing an action rapidly or for a very short duration, such as taking a quick glance or appearing briefly.
書類にちょろりと目を通す。
Trickling Liquid
A very small, weak flow of liquid dripping or trickling out.
水がちょろりと流れる。
Careless Action
Doing or saying something rashly, such as carelessly letting a minor secret slip.
本音をちょろりとこぼす。
Usage Note
How to Use
ちょろりと + verb
The most common way to link this word to an action, indicating the manner of the action.
ちょろり + verb
A more casual form sometimes seen in relaxed speech, omitting the particle to.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ちょろりと流れる
to trickle down / flow slightly
ちょろりと見る
to glance briefly
ちょろりとかける
to drizzle a little (e.g., sauce)
ちょろりと顔を出す
to briefly poke one's head out
ちょろりとこぼす
to carelessly let slip (a remark)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Water Flow | neutral | Applicable only to very small streams of liquid, almost string-like in thinness. |
| Physical Actions | neutral | Indicates something done in a flash or for a very short moment, like taking a quick look. |
| Speech | negative | Often used when unintentionally leaking a little bit of information, showing a slight lack of caution. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちょろっと ちょろっと / similar | Used in more casual conversation when emphasizing the abruptness or small amount of an action. | "chorori" has a slightly softer ending sound and emphasizes the light, continuous nature more than the abrupt stop of "chorotto". | ちょろっと見る |
だらだら だらだら / opposite | Used when liquids are flowing heavily and continuously, or when actions drag on lazily. | "chorori" is strictly for very small amounts of liquid or very brief, hasty actions. | 汗がだらだら流れる |
うっかり うっかり / similar | Used when describing a careless mistake caused purely by absentmindedness or forgetting. | "chorori" focuses on the physical quickness or slightness of the resulting action (like a quick slip of the tongue), rather than the mental state of forgetting. | うっかり秘密を漏らす |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe heavy rainfall or a fast-flowing river.
This word is only for very small, weak flows of liquid like a trickling tap. For heavy flows, use words like zaazaa.
Applying this word to slow, careful movements.
It implies quickness and briefness, so it contradicts any slow or deliberate action.
Examples
Examples
蛇口から水がちょろりと流れている。
じゃぐちからみずがちょろりとながれている。
Water is trickling from the faucet.
VisualDescribes a very small volume of water flowing.
ネズミが穴からちょろりと顔を出した。
ネズミがあなからちょろりとかおをだした。
A mouse briefly poked its head out of the hole.
VisualHighlights a quick, brief appearance.
彼は書類にちょろりと目を通した。
かれはしょるいにちょろりとめをとおした。
He glanced briefly through the documents.
LiteralMeans the action of reading was done very quickly.
料理に醤油をちょろりとかける。
りょうりにしょうゆをちょろりとかける。
Quickly drizzle a little soy sauce over the dish.
VisualDescribes adding a very small amount of seasoning.
つい本音をちょろりとこぼしてしまった。
ついほんねをちょろりとこぼしてしまった。
I carelessly let my true feelings slip out a little.
FigurativeUsed when carelessly saying something you shouldn't have.
Similar Words
ちょろっと
chorotto
A casual adverb describing a very brief action, a tiny amount, or a small trickle of liquid. Very similar, but sounds more casual and abrupt.
だらだら
daradara
だらだら describes something continuing endlessly without tension, such as chilling lazily at home, a meeting dragging on, or sweat dripping continuously. Opposite for liquids; means flowing heavily or taking a long time.
うっかり
ukkari
Doing something by mistake or forgetting something due to a momentary lapse in concentration. Related to carelessness caused by absentmindedness.
Questions
What is the difference between ちょろり and ちょろっと?
They mean essentially the same thing, but ちょろっと (chorotto) sounds more colloquial and abrupt due to the small 'tsu'. ちょろり has a slightly softer ring to it.
Can I use ちょろり for a heavy stream of water?
No, it exclusively describes a very small, weak trickle. Heavy flows require different words.
Does ちょろり have a negative connotation?
Not usually. It is neutral for physical actions and trickling water. It only carries a mild negative undertone when referring to carelessly leaking a secret.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2838243
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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