Entry
ひらり
hirari
A mimetic word describing a single, swift, and graceful movement, often conveying a sense of weightlessness or agility.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
It expresses the action of moving nimbly and effortlessly, such as gracefully dodging an obstacle, leaping lightly, or a thin object fluttering briefly in the air.
- Agile bodily movement
- Light fluttering
Sense Map
Agile Movement
Describes a person or animal moving nimbly, such as leaping, landing, or dodging with effortless grace.
ひらりと身をかわす
Light Fluttering
Describes a thin, lightweight object (like a leaf, petal, or cloth) fluttering or flipping over once in the air.
花びらがひらりと落ちる
Usage Note
How to Use
ひらりと + verb
The most common pattern, using the quotation particle to to directly modify an action verb.
ひらり + verb
Occasionally used directly before a verb without the particle to describe a swift, nimble action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひらりと身をかわす
to nimbly dodge (an attack or obstacle)
ひらりと飛び乗る
to lightly leap onto something
ひらりと舞う
to flutter gracefully
花びらがひらりと
a petal fluttering lightly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Dodging or escaping | Positive | Shows the subject is highly capable, agile, and evades danger with ease. |
| Falling objects | Neutral | Describes a single, beautiful flutter of a lightweight object like a leaf or piece of paper. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひょいと ひょいと / nearby | Use to describe a casual, effortless, or sudden action. | Does not have the graceful, floating, or agile nuance of hirari; it feels more casual or unexpected. | ひょいと持ち上げる |
ふわり ふわり / nearby | Use to emphasize softness, gentleness, or gently floating in the air. | Lacks the swiftness and nimble agility of hirari. Focuses purely on soft weightlessness. | ふわりと浮かぶ |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for heavy or clumsy movements.
Only use this word for light, graceful, and nimble actions.
Using it to describe continuous, repetitive fluttering.
For continuous fluttering in the wind, use the repeated form hirahira, not hirari, which implies a single action.
Examples
Examples
忍者はひらりと塀を飛び越えた。
にんじゃは ひらりと へいを とびこえた。
The ninja nimbly jumped over the fence.
LiteralShows extreme agility without appearing to use much effort.
桜の花びらが、ひらりと肩に落ちた。
さくらの はなびらが、 ひらりと かたに おちた。
A cherry blossom petal fluttered lightly onto my shoulder.
VisualDescribes the graceful, fluttering fall of a very lightweight object.
攻撃をひらりとかわして、反撃した。
こうげきを ひらりと かわして、 はんげきした。
They nimbly dodged the attack and counterattacked.
LiteralFocuses on a quick, graceful evasive maneuver.
風で帽子がひらりと舞い上がった。
かぜで ぼうしが ひらりと まいあがった。
The hat fluttered up into the air in the wind.
VisualShows an object briefly and lightly catching the air.
猿は木から木へ、ひらりと飛び移った。
さるは きから きへ、 ひらりと とびうつった。
The monkey leaped nimbly from tree to tree.
LiteralDescribes a smooth, almost floating movement from one point to another.
Similar Words
ひょいと
hyoito
Describes doing an action lightly and effortlessly, or doing something casually and unexpectedly. Focuses more on suddenness and lack of effort.
ふわり
fuwari
Describes an action performed or a state occurring softly, gently, and lightly, such as floating weightlessly or landing without impact. Focuses more on softness and floating gently in the air.
Questions
What is the difference between hirari and hirahira?
Hirari describes a single, quick, and graceful motion, while hirahira describes continuous fluttering.
Can I use hirari for a heavy object falling?
No, it specifically conveys lightness and weightlessness. A heavy object would require a different word.
Is hirari used in daily conversation?
Yes, it is common in both writing and conversation when describing nimble movements or light things fluttering.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2085930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- かちゃり (kachari)
- Next entry
- ふっくら (fukkura)