Entry
じんわり
jinwari
じんわり describes something slowly and gently spreading, permeating, or being felt from within.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word depicts a slow, steady progression of something seeping out or sinking in. It is most commonly used for gentle physical sensations like warmth spreading, sweat seeping out, or dull pain, as well as emotions slowly welling up inside one's heart.
- physical permeation or seeping
- emotions slowly welling up
Sense Map
Seeping & Spreading (Physical)
Used for sweat, tears, warmth, or mild pain that slowly seeps out or spreads through the body.
体がじんわり温まる。
Emotional Permeation
Used when emotions, moving feelings, or gratitude slowly well up and sink into one's heart.
優しさがじんわり染みる。
Usage Note
How to Use
じんわり（と） + verb
Used to modify verbs of spreading, seeping, or warming (such as 温まる, にじむ, or 染みる).
じんわりくる
A common casual expression meaning 'it hits me slowly' or 'I am slowly moved by it'.
じんわりする
Describes the ongoing state of feeling warm, cozy, or emotionally touched.
How to Use
Common Phrases
汗がじんわり（と）にじむ
sweat slowly seeping out
体がじんわり（と）温まる
body slowly warming up
涙がじんわり（と）浮かぶ
tears slowly welling up
痛みがじんわり（と）広がる
pain slowly spreading
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat or Tears | neutral | Describes the exact moment moisture slowly beads up or surfaces on the skin or in the eyes. |
| Warmth or Pain | neutral | Portrays a dull, continuous sensation that gradually builds up, rather than a sharp shock. |
| Emotional Realization | positive | Often implies being deeply moved, touched, or feeling a sense of quiet gratitude. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じわじわ じわじわ / similar | Use じわじわ for a slow but unstoppable progression or encroachment. | じわじわ implies a steady, sometimes unwanted advance (like a worsening situation or creeping water), while じんわり is gentler and more focused on internal warmth or emotion. | 水がじわじわと染み込む。 |
じりじり じりじり / contrast | Use じりじり for the sensation of impatient waiting or the harsh scorching of the sun. | じりじり carries a sense of tension, irritation, or harshness, which is completely absent in the gentle じんわり. | じりじりと太陽が照りつける。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using じんわり for rapid or sudden spreading.
じんわり implies a very slow, soft process. For sudden spreading, use words like ぱっと or さっと.
Using じんわり for worsening large-scale situations.
For negative situations like a crisis slowly creeping up, じわじわ is the correct choice. じんわり is usually for intimate or personal feelings.
Examples
Examples
額にじんわりと汗をかいた。
ひたいに じんわりと あせを かいた。
Sweat slowly seeped out on my forehead.
VisualShows sweat appearing little by little.
お風呂に入ると、体がじんわり温まる。
おふろに はいると、 からだが じんわり あたたまる。
When you take a bath, your body slowly warms up.
LiteralEmphasizes the warmth slowly spreading from within.
打ったところがじんわりと痛んできた。
うった ところが じんわりと いたんで きた。
The place I hit started to throb with a dull, slow pain.
LiteralDescribes a dull pain that spreads slowly rather than a sharp shock.
映画のラストシーンで、じんわりと涙が出た。
えいがの ラストシーンで、 じんわりと なみだが でた。
At the last scene of the movie, tears slowly welled up.
VisualNot sobbing, but tears quietly welling up.
人の優しさが心にじんわり染みた。
ひとの やさしさが こころに じんわり しみた。
People's kindness slowly permeated my heart.
FigurativeFigurative use for emotions slowly sinking into one's heart.
Similar Words
ジワジワ
jiwajiwa
Something slowly but steadily seeping in, spreading, or approaching. More focus on an unstoppable spread, often negative.
じりじり
jirijiri
Describes something progressing slowly but steadily, scorching heat, burning impatience, or a continuous sizzling/ringing sound. Used for impatient waiting or the harsh, scorching sun.
Questions
Can I use じんわり for bad things?
Yes, you can use it for a dull physical pain slowly spreading. However, for a bad situation getting worse (like an economic crisis), じわじわ is much better.
What is the difference between じんわりくる and じんわりする?
じんわりくる implies a feeling (usually being moved or touched) is 'coming' to you gradually. じんわりする describes the state of already feeling warm or emotionally touched.
Do I always need to add と (to)?
No, it is optional. 'じんわり温まる' and 'じんわりと温まる' are both completely natural, though adding と sounds slightly more emphatic about the manner of the action.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006030
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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