Entry
ほろり
horori
ほろり describes a gentle transition, such as being moved to shed a tear, becoming pleasantly tipsy, or the soft falling of light objects.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures a quiet, subtle shift in state. It is most commonly used when someone is gently touched by a heartwarming moment to the point of shedding a single tear. It also describes becoming mildly and pleasantly drunk, or the delicate descent of light items like petals, leaves, or a teardrop.
- Moved to shed a tear
- Light objects falling softly
- Getting mildly tipsy
Sense Map
Moved to Tears (Emotion)
Feeling deeply yet gently touched by something heartwarming or nostalgic, often resulting in a tear.
思わずほろりとする
Falling Softly (Visual)
The quiet, delicate falling of something very light, like a flower petal or a teardrop.
花びらがほろりと落ちる
Mildly Tipsy (Physical State)
A state of becoming slightly and pleasantly drunk from alcohol.
お酒でほろりと酔う
Usage Note
How to Use
ほろりとする
Used as a verb to mean to be moved to tears or to feel touched.
ほろりとくる
Expresses that a touching emotion or nostalgia has reached one's heart.
ほろりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying actions like crying, falling, or getting drunk.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ほろりとする
to be moved to tears
ほろりと泣く
to shed a quiet tear
ほろりと酔う
to get slightly tipsy
ほろりと落ちる
to fall softly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Watching a heartwarming movie | positive | Highlights empathy and being gently moved by a nice story. |
| Drinking sake | neutral | Implies a comfortable, relaxed state of slight intoxication. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ほろほろ ほろほろ / similar | Used when tears, leaves, or petals fall continuously, one after another. | This word represents a single moment or a single tear, while ほろほろ emphasizes a continuous, quiet dropping action. | 涙がほろほろこぼれる |
じーんと じーんと / similar | Used when a strong, piercing emotion strikes the heart, often described as a numbing emotional feeling. | This word is gentler and usually involves the eyes watering, whereas ジーンと is a deeper, sometimes painful tug at the heartstrings. | 胸がジーンとする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word for loud crying or grieving.
It is only for shedding a quiet tear out of being moved or nostalgic.
Using it for heavy objects falling, like a book dropping.
It only applies to very light, delicate things like petals or tears.
Using it to describe getting completely drunk.
It strictly means getting pleasantly tipsy, not heavily intoxicated.
Examples
Examples
映画のラストシーンを見て、思わずほろりとした。
えいがのラストシーンをみて、おもわずほろりとした。
Watching the final scene of the movie, I was unintentionally moved to tears.
FigurativeDescribes a sudden feeling of being moved due to sympathy or a good story.
彼女の目から、ほろりと涙がこぼれた。
かのじょのめから、ほろりとなみだがこぼれた。
A single tear fell softly from her eyes.
VisualFocuses on the visual image of a single tear falling gently and quietly.
桜の花びらが、風に乗ってほろりと落ちてきた。
さくらのはなびらが、かぜにのってほろりとおちてきた。
Cherry blossom petals fell softly, carried by the wind.
VisualShows a very light object falling slowly without making a sound.
温かいお酒を飲んで、ほろりと酔いが回った。
あたたかいおさけをのんで、ほろりとよいがまわった。
After drinking warm sake, I became slightly and pleasantly tipsy.
LiteralUsed for a physical state of beginning to relax due to alcohol.
父親からの手紙を読んで、ほろりと泣いてしまった。
ちちおやからのてがみをよんで、ほろりとないてしまった。
Reading the letter from my father, I shed a gentle tear.
FigurativeDescribes an emotional response of crying quietly due to affection and warmth.
Similar Words
ほろほろ
horohoro
ほろほろ (horohoro) describes light, delicate things falling quietly like tears or petals, or the incredibly tender, crumbly texture of food that melts in your mouth. Used when teardrops or petals fall continuously in succession.
ジーンと
jiinto
Describes a profound emotional resonance that touches the heart deeply, or a physical sensation of lingering numbness and stinging pain. Used for a strong, deep emotional impact that strikes the heart.
Questions
What is the difference between ほろりとする and ほろりとくる?
Both mean to be touched or moved. The version with come emphasizes the feeling reaching or hitting your emotions from an outside source.
Can I use this word for snow falling?
It can be used for a light snowflake falling softly, but other words are much more common for snow.
Is this word appropriate in formal writing?
It is an onomatopoeia, so it is somewhat casual but frequently used in literature, novels, and essays to evoke emotion.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1011730
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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