Entry
ジャラジャラ
jarajara
Jarajara represents the continuous jingling sound of small, hard objects like coins or keys rubbing together, or describes excessive flirtatious behavior.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Jarajara primarily describes the jangling or clinking sound made by small metal objects, such as a heavy keychain, loose change, or lots of jewelry rubbing together. Figuratively, it is used with a negative connotation to describe someone behaving in a cheap, overly coquettish, or showy manner to attract attention.
- continuous jingling sound of metal
- wearing excessive noisy accessories
- coquettish or cheap behavior
Sense Map
Jingling Metal Sound
The continuous noise of small hard objects, particularly metal items like coins, keys, or chains rubbing together.
鍵をジャラジャラ鳴らす
Coquettish Behavior
Behaving in an excessively flirtatious or showy way to get attention, often seen as cheap or annoying.
ジャラジャラした態度
Usage Note
How to Use
ジャラジャラと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action that produces a jingling sound (e.g., pulling out coins, dropping keys).
ジャラジャラする
ジャラジャラした + noun
Modifies a noun, often used to describe a coquettish attitude or a person wearing an excessive amount of noisy jewelry.
ジャラジャラさせる
How to Use
Common Phrases
鍵をジャラジャラ鳴らす
Jingling keys
小銭がジャラジャラ鳴る
Coins jingling
アクセサリーをジャラジャラつける
Wearing excessive jingling accessories
ジャラジャラした態度
Overly coquettish attitude
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Object sound | neutral | Simply describes the physical noise of a bunch of keys, coins, or chains. |
| Human behavior | negative | Implies a person is showing off or acting overly coquettish in a way that lacks elegance. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ちゃらちゃら ちゃらちゃら / similar | When describing a lighter jingling sound, or a person who is superficial, frivolous, and flashy. | Charachara implies a lighter sound and focuses more on a lack of seriousness (like a playboy), whereas jarajara sounds heavier and emphasizes coquettish or overly showy flirtation. | チャラチャラした男 |
かちかち かちかち / contrast | When describing small, sharp clicking or clinking sounds of hard objects hitting each other lightly, like a clock or a mouse. | Kachikachi focuses on distinct, regular clicking noises, while jarajara is a continuous, messier rubbing sound of heavier metal items like keys or coins. | 時計がカチカチ鳴る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for a single, loud metallic clang.
Jarajara must be used for a continuous, repeated rubbing or jingling sound of many small items.
Using it to compliment a friend's romantic charm.
Jarajara for behavior has a negative nuance, implying the person is being cheap, inappropriate, or excessively flirtatious.
Examples
Examples
鍵束をジャラジャラと鳴らしながら歩く。
かぎたばをジャラジャラとならしながらあるく。
Walking while jingling a bunch of keys.
LiteralDescribes the sound of keys rubbing against each other while walking.
彼女は手首にアクセサリーをジャラジャラつけている。
かのじょはてくびにアクセサリーをジャラジャラつけている。
She is wearing a bunch of jingling accessories on her wrists.
VisualUsed to describe the visual appearance of wearing an excessive amount of noisy metal accessories.
ポケットの中の小銭がジャラジャラと音を立てた。
ポケットのなかのこぜにがジャラジャラとおとをたてた。
The loose change in the pocket made a jingling sound.
LiteralIndicates the sound of metal coins touching each other inside a pocket.
人前でジャラジャラした態度をとるのはよくない。
ひとまえでジャラジャラしたたいどをとるのはよくない。
It is not good to take an overly coquettish attitude in public.
FigurativeDescribes an overly flirtatious or attention-seeking behavior in a negative way.
パチンコ玉がジャラジャラと出てきた。
パチンコだまがジャラジャラとでてきた。
The pachinko balls came out with a loud jingling sound.
LiteralThe continuous sound of a large number of small metal balls colliding.
Similar Words
チャラチャラ
charachara
Describes the light jingling sound of small metal objects, or a person's frivolous, flashy, and flirty behavior. Lighter for sounds, or describes someone who is superficial, frivolous, and flashy.
かちかち
kachikachi
A state of something hardening, being stiff from nervousness, or the continuous ticking sound of a clock. Focuses on distinct, regular clicking noises, rather than a messy metal rubbing sound.
Questions
Does jarajara always have a negative meaning?
No. When it describes the sound of coins or keys, it is completely neutral. It is only negative when used to describe human behavior or an overly flashy appearance.
What is the difference between jarajara and charachara?
Both can describe sound and behavior. Jarajara is used for the heavier jingling of keys/coins and excessively flirtatious behavior. Charachara is for lighter metallic sounds and describes someone who is superficial, unserious, or a playboy.
Can I use jarajara for the sound of glass breaking?
No, jarajara is for the continuous clinking of hard objects that do not break. For shattering glass, words like gashan are used.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454080
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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