Entry
ほろっと
horotto
A sudden feeling of being deeply moved or touched, often to the point of shedding a slight tear.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Used to describe a sudden, involuntary emotional reaction when seeing, hearing, or experiencing something heartwarming, sympathetic, or touching, often prompting a few tears.
- Emotionally moved
- Shedding a tear
Sense Map
Emotionally Moved
Feeling deeply touched by a story, act of kindness, or a heartwarming event.
映画を見てほろっとする。
Shedding a Tear
The physical act of a tear lightly spilling out due to uncontrollable, gentle emotion.
涙がほろっとこぼれる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ほろっとする
Used as a verb to express that you yourself are moved to tears.
ほろっとくる
Expresses that a feeling of being touched 'comes' to your heart.
ほろっと泣く
Describes the literal act of crying slightly because you are touched.
ほろっとさせる
The causative form, used when a speech, movie, or person makes someone else feel moved.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ほろっとする
to be moved
ほろっとくる
to be touched
ほろっと泣く
to shed a tear
ほろっとさせる
to move someone to tears
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Movies or Stories | positive | Often describes the moment a climax or touching scene unexpectedly makes you tear up. |
| Acts of Kindness | positive | Describes the feeling of gratitude and warmth when receiving unexpected sympathy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ほろり ほろり / similar | Use 'horori' for a softer, more lingering, or literary nuance of being moved. | Lacks the sudden, instantaneous snap of 'horotto' created by the small 'tsu'. | ほろりと涙を流す |
じーんと じーんと / similar | Use 'jiin to' when the emotion deeply resonates or strikes the heart powerfully, like a numbness in the chest. | Not focused on the lightness or the physical tear dropping, but rather the internal deep feeling. | 胸がジーンと熱くなる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for loud, painful crying at a funeral.
Use '号泣' (goukyuu) for wailing. 'Horotto' is only for a light, sympathetic, or heartwarming tear.
Using it for pure excitement or adrenaline.
For excitement, use 'ワクワク' (wakuwaku). 'Horotto' implies tenderness and being emotionally touched.
Examples
Examples
その映画のラストシーンを見て、思わずほろっとした。
その えいが の ラスト シーン を みて、 おもわず ほろっと した。
I was unexpectedly moved to tears watching the last scene of that movie.
FigurativeShows the feeling of being touched while watching a movie.
彼女の優しい言葉に、ほろっときた。
かのじょ の やさしい ことば に、 ほろっと きた。
I was touched by her kind words.
FigurativeUsed for emotions triggered by someone's sweet words.
おばあちゃんの昔話を聞いて、ほろっと泣いた。
おばあちゃん の むかしばなし を きいて、 ほろっと ないた。
I shed a tear listening to my grandma's old stories.
VisualFocuses on the act of crying slightly due to a story.
観客をほろっとさせる素晴らしいスピーチだった。
かんきゃく を ほろっと させる すばらしい スピーチ だった。
It was a wonderful speech that moved the audience to tears.
FigurativeCausative form to show something that makes others moved.
手紙を読みながら、涙がほろっとこぼれた。
てがみ を よみながら、 なみだ が ほろっと こぼれた。
A tear slipped out while reading the letter.
VisualFocuses on the visual image of a tear falling while reading a letter.
Similar Words
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. More literary and lingering.
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. A stronger emotion that resonates deeply in the chest.
ぶわっ
buwa
Describes something spreading, welling up, or gushing outward suddenly, like a gust of wind or bursting into tears.
Questions
Does ほろっと always mean you actually cried?
Not always. It can simply mean you felt 'on the verge' of tears or deeply touched emotionally without actively crying.
Can I use ほろっと for physical pain?
No. This word is exclusively for emotional responses tied to sympathy, affection, or moving moments.
What is the difference between ほろっとする and ほろっとくる?
They are very similar, but 'horotto kuru' emphasizes that the touching emotion 'came over' you passively from an outside source.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2829040
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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