Entry
ヒリヒリ
hirihiri
Describes a continuous, superficial stinging or burning sensation, typically on the skin or tongue.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word representing a continuous, surface-level stinging, smarting, or tingling sensation. It is most commonly used for skin irritations like sunburns and scrapes, or the burning feeling in the mouth from eating spicy food.
- Surface-level stinging pain
- Spicy tingling sensation
Sense Map
Skin Irritation (Sunburns, Scrapes)
Refers to a superficial stinging pain on the skin caused by minor burns, scrapes, or severe dryness.
日焼けで背中がヒリヒリする。
Spicy Sensation
Describes the tingling or burning sensation in the mouth and on the tongue after eating hot, spicy food.
舌がヒリヒリする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ヒリヒリする
Functions as a verb to state that the skin or tongue is experiencing a stinging sensation.
ヒリヒリしている
Indicates an ongoing state where the stinging or tingling sensation is continuously felt.
ヒリヒリと + verb
Functions as an adverb, usually paired with a verb like 痛む (to ache/hurt) to vividly describe the manner of the pain.
How to Use
Common Phrases
舌がヒリヒリする
tongue stings/tingles
肌がヒリヒリする
skin stings
傷口がヒリヒリ痛む
wound stinging pain
日焼けでヒリヒリする
stinging from sunburn
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sunburns and minor burns | negative | Describes an uncomfortable, lingering surface burn on the skin. |
| Eating spicy food | neutral | Describes the tingling sensation on the tongue. It can be used without negative connotation if the speaker enjoys spicy food. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じんじん じんじん / similar | Use for a deep, throbbing, or numbing pain related to blood circulation (like a frozen hand thawing or a deep bruise). | ジンジン is a deep, throbbing ache, while ヒリヒリ is a superficial, widespread stinging on the surface. | 足がジンジンする。 |
ちくちく ちくちく / similar | Use for a sharp, needle-like prickling pain or itchiness (like an insect bite or wearing an itchy wool sweater). | チクチク feels like sharp, repetitive point-pricks, whereas ヒリヒリ is a continuous, even surface burn. | セーターがチクチクする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for headaches, stomachaches, or deep muscle pain.
ヒリヒリ is only for superficial surface pain (skin, tongue). Use words like ズキズキ for a headache.
Using it to describe the high temperature of food or weather.
ヒリヒリ describes the physical *sensation* of stinging caused by spice or injury, not the objective high temperature itself. Use 熱い (atsui) for hot temperatures.
Examples
Examples
日焼けで背中がヒリヒリする。
ひやけでせなかがヒリヒリする。
My back is stinging from a sunburn.
LiteralSunburns affect a wide area of the skin's surface, making hirihiri the perfect word for this pain.
辛いスープを飲んで、舌がヒリヒリしている。
からいスープをのんで、したがヒリヒリしている。
My tongue is tingling after drinking the spicy soup.
LiteralHirihiri captures the tingling, burning sensation left on the tongue by spicy spices.
転んで擦りむいた膝が、まだヒリヒリと痛む。
ころんでこすりむいたひざが、まだヒリヒリといたむ。
The knee I scraped when I fell still stings.
LiteralPerfect for shallow scrapes that sting continuously when exposed to the air.
冬は乾燥して顔がヒリヒリする。
ふゆはかんそうしてかおがヒリヒリする。
In winter, my face stings from the dryness.
LiteralDry winter skin can cause a stinging surface sensation perfectly captured by hirihiri.
熱いお茶をこぼしてしまい、手がヒリヒリしている。
あついおちゃをこぼしてしまい、てがヒリヒリしている。
My hand is stinging because I spilled hot tea on it.
LiteralDescribes the lingering surface burn after touching or spilling something hot.
Similar Words
ジンジン
jinjin
Describes a continuous throbbing pain, a stinging numbness in the nerves, or a loud ringing sound in the ears. A deep throbbing pain, contrasting with superficial stinging.
チクチク
chikuchiku
チクチク (chikuchiku) describes a repeated, superficial prickling or stinging sensation, or biting remarks that emotionally sting. Sharp prickling pain or itch, contrasting with even stinging.
Questions
Can I use ヒリヒリ for a headache?
No, ヒリヒリ is strictly used for surface-level pain such as skin irritation or tongue burning. For a headache, you should use words like ズキズキ.
What is the difference between ヒリヒリ and チクチク?
Both describe pain, but ヒリヒリ refers to a continuous surface burn or stinging (like a sunburn), while チクチク describes a sharp, repetitive prickling sensation (like a needle or itchy wool).
Is it only used to describe spicy food?
No, while it is the go-to word for the burn of spicy food on the tongue, it is equally common for describing the stinging pain of sunburns, scraped knees, and dry skin.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010690
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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