Entry
じりじり
jirijiri
Describes something progressing slowly but steadily, scorching heat, burning impatience, or a continuous sizzling/ringing sound.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Jirijiri is a highly versatile onomatopoeia. It describes the harsh, continuous nature of something, such as the scorching heat of the sun, the agonizingly slow and steady progression of a situation, the feeling of burning impatience, or continuous sounds like sizzling oil and ringing alarms.
- scorching heat
- impatient waiting
- slow progress
- continuous sounds
Sense Map
Scorching Heat
Used for intense, relentless sunlight burning down.
太陽がじりじりと照りつける。
Impatience
Feeling irritated or anxious because things aren't moving fast enough.
待ちきれなくてじりじりする。
Slow Progress
Moving or changing slowly but continuously, often with resistance.
じりじりと後退する。
Continuous Sound
The sizzling sound of frying oil or the harsh ringing of an alarm.
目覚まし時計がじりじり鳴る。
Usage Note
How to Use
じりじりと + verb
Used to describe how an action slowly and relentlessly progresses or how the sun beats down.
じりじりする
Used as a verb to express the feeling of being irritated or impatient.
じりじりした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe a state of impatience or scorching heat.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じりじりと照りつける
to beat down scorchingly (sun)
じりじりする
to be impatient/irritated
じりじりと後退する
to retreat slowly but steadily
じりじりと迫る
to approach bit by bit
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Weather and Heat | negative | Describes uncomfortably strong, burning sunlight. |
| Emotions | negative | Expresses frustration, irritation, and the inability to stay calm while waiting. |
| Movement/Progress | neutral | Focuses on the slow, unyielding, and sometimes agonizing nature of a gradual change. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じわじわ じわじわ / similar | When something slowly permeates, spreads, or progresses without the harsh tension or heat of jirijiri. | Jiwajiwa feels like water soaking into a sponge, whereas jirijiri feels like something scraping or burning. | ジワジワと人気が出る。 |
じんわり じんわり / similar | When sweat, tears, or warmth slowly seep out, often with a softer or more emotional nuance. | Jinwari is gentle and quiet, while jirijiri is intense, harsh, or agonizing. | じんわりと汗をかく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using jirijiri to describe a relaxing, slow walk.
Jirijiri implies tension, resistance, or unpleasant slowness. Use 'yukkuri' or 'nonbiri' for relaxed slowness.
Using it for a pleasant, quiet bell sound.
Jirijiri describes a harsh, continuous ringing, like an old-fashioned mechanical alarm clock.
Examples
Examples
太陽がじりじりと照りつける。
たいようがじりじりとてりつける。
The sun is beating down scorchingly.
VisualDescribes the sun beating down intensely and continuously.
連絡が来なくて、じりじりする。
れんらくがこなくて、じりじりする。
I'm getting impatient because there's no contact.
FigurativeShows impatience from waiting.
敵がじりじりと迫ってくる。
てきがじりじりとせまってくる。
The enemy is slowly but steadily approaching.
VisualDescribes something approaching slowly but surely, creating tension.
目覚まし時計がじりじり鳴る。
めざましどけいがじりじりなる。
The alarm clock rings loudly.
LiteralThe loud, continuous ringing sound of a mechanical alarm clock.
鉄板の上で肉がじりじり焼ける。
てっぱんのうえでにくがじりじりやける。
The meat is sizzling as it grills on the iron plate.
LiteralThe sizzling sound of meat grilling on an iron plate.
Similar Words
ジワジワ
jiwajiwa
Something slowly but steadily seeping in, spreading, or approaching. Slow, seeping change without the harsh tension of jirijiri.
じんわり
jinwari
じんわり describes something slowly and gently spreading, permeating, or being felt from within. Slowly seeping out or permeating with a softer nuance.
Questions
Can jirijiri be used for positive excitement?
Usually not. It implies frustration, impatience, or tension rather than happy anticipation.
What is the difference between jirijiri and jiwajiwa?
Jirijiri has a feeling of harshness, heat, or tension, while jiwajiwa describes something slowly spreading or soaking in quietly.
Does jirijiri always mean hot?
No, it is highly versatile and can also mean slow progress, an irritating sound, or feeling impatient.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1006000
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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