Entry
ギラッと
giratto
Describes a sudden, intense flash of light or a sharp, piercing glare.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word representing a sudden, brief, and intense flash of light, often off metal or a sharp object. It is also commonly used to describe a sudden, piercing, or predatory glare in someone's eyes.
- Intense flash of light
- Piercing glare
Sense Map
Intense Flash
A sudden, sharp, and intense flash of light, typically reflecting off metal, blades, or glass.
ナイフがギラッと光る。
Piercing Glare
A sudden, intense, and often predatory or hostile gleam in someone's eyes.
目がギラッと光った。
Usage Note
How to Use
ギラッと光る
The most common pattern, meaning 'to flash intensely' or 'to glint sharply'.
ギラッと睨む
ギラッとする
How to Use
Common Phrases
ギラッと光る
flash sharply
目がギラッと光る
eyes gleam piercingly
刃物がギラッと光る
blade glints sharply
ギラッと睨む
glare intensely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Light reflecting off metal | neutral | Describes a sharp, momentary glint from swords, knives, or glass. |
| Someone's eyes | negative | Implies a predatory, greedy, or hostile look. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きらっと きらっと / contrast | Use for a sudden, pretty, or pleasant sparkle. | きらっと is light and pretty, while ギラッと is harsh, aggressive, or intimidating. | 星がきらっと光る。 |
ぎらぎら ぎらぎら / nearby | Use for a continuous, intense, and blazing light. | ギラギラ describes an ongoing glaring state, while ギラッと is a sudden, momentary flash. | 太陽がギラギラ照りつける。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe twinkling stars or pretty jewelry.
Use キラキラ or きらっと for beautiful sparkles; ギラッと sounds harsh or dangerous.
Using it for a continuous blinding light.
For a continuous state, like the blazing summer sun, use ギラギラ instead of the momentary ギラッと.
Examples
Examples
暗闇の中で獣の目がギラッと光った。
くらやみのなかでけもののめがギラッとひかった。
The beast's eyes glinted sharply in the darkness.
VisualDescribes the scary, sudden reflection of light in an animal's eyes in the dark.
男はナイフを取り出すと、刃先がギラッと光った。
おとこはナイフをとりだすと、はさきがギラッとひかった。
As the man took out a knife, the blade glinted sharply.
VisualShows the glint of light off a sharp metal object, giving a sense of danger.
彼は獲物を見つけたかのように、ギラッと睨んだ。
かれはえものをみつけたかのように、ギラッとになんだ。
He glared piercingly, as if he had found his prey.
FigurativeDescribes a gaze filled with desire or aggression.
サングラスの奥で彼女の瞳がギラッと輝いた。
サングラスのおくでかのじょのひとみがギラッとかがやいた。
Behind her sunglasses, her eyes gleamed piercingly.
FigurativeUsed to show strong ambition or hidden emotion suddenly becoming visible.
強い日差しがフロントガラスに反射してギラッと光った。
つよいひざしがフロントガラスにはんしゃしてギラッとひかった。
The strong sunlight reflected off the windshield and flashed blindingly.
VisualDescribes the very strong and blinding reflection of sunlight on glass.
Similar Words
ギラギラ
giragira
Describes an intense, overwhelming brightness or a coarse, aggressive shine. Indicates a glaring or intensely blinding state that continues.
きらっと
kiratto
Describes a sudden, single flash of light or a quick, momentary glint. A brief flash of light that is prettier, lighter, and not intimidating.
ピカッと
pikatto
A sudden, intensely bright, and very brief flash of light.
Questions
What is the difference between ギラッと and ギラギラ?
ギラッと is a single, sudden flash or glint, whereas ギラギラ is a continuous, harsh glare.
Can ギラッと be used positively?
Generally, no. It has a harsh, intense, or intimidating nuance, making it unsuitable for pretty or delicate things.
What does it mean when someone's eyes do ギラッと?
It means their eyes suddenly gleamed with intense emotion, often greed, hostility, or predatory intent.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2080370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- のうのう (nounou)
- Next entry
- チカチカ (chikachika)