Entry
ぐらり
gurari
A single sudden shift: something jolts, tilts, or loses its balance in one movement.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Use this word when a building, tree, or large object gives one strong shake or tilt, for example in an earthquake or a gust of wind, and the motion ends there. It also fits a body that suddenly sways, for instance on standing up with a wave of dizziness. The core is one large change in stability, not a repeating wobble, not boiling water, and not a fine shiver from cold.
- A large object that suddenly shakes or tilts
- A body that suddenly loses its balance
Sense Map
A jolt in a large object
A building, tree, or large object that suddenly shakes hard or tilts under one force, then stops.
建物がぐらりと揺れる
A sudden loss of balance
A body that suddenly sways, for example from dizziness on standing up or from a heavy load on the feet.
体がぐらりとする
Usage Note
How to Use
ぐらりと + verb
Marks how an action happens: a shake or tilt in one large, sudden movement.
ぐらりとする
Forms a phrase meaning ‘to lose one’s balance all at once’, usually of a body or of one’s footing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぐらりと揺れる
to give one strong shake
ぐらりと傾く
to tilt suddenly
体がぐらりとする
the body suddenly loses its balance
足元がぐらりとする
one’s footing suddenly feels unsteady
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Quakes and large objects | Neutral | One jolt or tilt in a building, tree, or heavy object, not a wobble that keeps going. |
| The body and one’s footing | Neutral | On standing up, lifting a load, or a wave of dizziness, the body or the feet give way once. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐらぐら ぐらぐら / contrast | For objects that keep wobbling (a loose tooth, furniture, a quake that goes on), liquid boiling with large bubbles, or a mind that stays hesitant and a dizziness that lingers. | ぐらぐら covers three domains: ongoing physical instability, vigorous boiling, and hesitation or lingering dizziness. ぐらり is only one sudden jolt or tilt, not boiling and not drawn-out indecision. | 歯がぐらぐらする |
ぐらっと ぐらっと / similar | For one strong jolt, a heavy object that suddenly tilts, or a sudden dizzy spell that almost knocks someone over. It feels sharper and more cut off. | グラッと covers an earthquake jolt, a heavy object tilting, and a sudden dizzy spell, with a sharper cut. ぐらり is close in meaning, but the motion feels a little slower and heavier, not as sharp and instantaneous. | グラッと揺れる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for a lasting wobble, boiling water, or a mind that stays undecided.
That is the ongoing-instability, boiling, and hesitation set. ぐらり is only one jolt or tilt.
Using it for shivering from cold or a phone’s tiny vibration.
ぐらり implies a large shift. A fine repeated tremor needs a different word.
Examples
Examples
地震で建物がぐらりと揺れた。
じしんで たてものが ぐらりと ゆれた。
In the earthquake, the building gave one sudden violent shake.
LiteralOne jolt in a large structure, not a wobble that keeps going.
立ち上がった瞬間、めまいがして体がぐらりとした。
たちあがった しゅんかん、めまいが して からだが ぐらりと した。
The moment I stood up, a wave of dizziness made my body sway all at once.
LiteralThe body loses its balance once, from dizziness on standing up.
強い風で大きな木がぐらりと傾いた。
つよい かぜで おおきな きが ぐらりと かたむいた。
In the strong wind, the large tree suddenly tilted.
VisualA visible change of position: the tree tilts once, then the motion ends.
重い荷物を持ち上げた時、足元がぐらりとした。
おもい にもつを もちあげた とき、あしもとが ぐらりと した。
When I lifted the heavy load, my footing suddenly felt unsteady.
LiteralFooting that suddenly feels unsteady under a load, not a fine tremor.
彼の言葉を聞いて、私の決心がぐらりと揺らいだ。
かれの ことばを きいて、わたしの けっしんが ぐらりと ゆらいだ。
Hearing his words, my resolve suddenly wavered.
FigurativeFigurative: resolve wavers once, not a long stretch of doubt.
Similar Words
ぐらぐら
guragura
Describes an unstable wobbling state, vigorously boiling liquid, or a wavering mind. Ongoing wobble, vigorous boiling, or a hesitant mind; not one jolt.
グラッと
guratto
Describes a sudden, violent jolt or shaking movement. One jolt, a heavy object tilting, or a sudden dizzy spell; sharper and more cut off.
Questions
How is this different from the word for an ongoing wobble?
ぐらぐら is for objects that stay unstable for a while, water boiling with large bubbles, and lingering dizziness or indecision. ぐらり is only one sudden jolt or tilt.
Can I use it for shivering from the cold?
No. Shivering is a small repeated tremor in the body. ぐらり is one large shift in balance or a tilt.
Can it describe feelings or resolve?
Yes, figuratively. Resolve that suddenly wavers uses the same image: one jolt, not a long stretch of doubt.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2600970
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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