Entry
じろじろ
jirojiro
To stare at someone or something fixedly and scrutinizingly, often in a rude or intrusive manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the action of looking at someone or something closely, continuously, and scrutinizingly, often examining them from head to toe. When directed at people, it usually carries a negative, intrusive, or rude nuance.
- Staring at people rudely
- Examining an object with suspicion or intense curiosity
Sense Map
Staring at people (Rude)
Staring at someone up and down or looking fixedly at their face without hesitation.
人の顔をじろじろ見る
Scrutinizing an object
Examining or looking at an object closely in detail out of curiosity or suspicion.
商品をじろじろ見る
Usage Note
How to Use
じろじろ見る
The most common form meaning 'to stare at' or 'to scrutinize'.
じろじろ見られる
The passive form meaning 'to be stared at', strongly implying discomfort or annoyance on the part of the speaker.
じろじろと見る
Adding the particle 'to' (と) emphasizes the adverbial nature of the staring action.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じろじろ見る
to stare at / to scrutinize
じろじろ見られる
to be stared at
人の顔をじろじろ見る
to stare at someone's face
上から下までじろじろ
to stare (someone) up and down
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Staring at strangers | Negative | Highly impolite; makes the other person feel judged or threatened. |
| Examining a strange object | Neutral | Shows intense curiosity or caution when inspecting something unfamiliar. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
まじまじ まじまじ / similar | Used when staring intently due to surprise, awe, or disbelief. Focuses more on the observer's internal emotional state. | Does not inherently carry the 'rude' or 'suspiciously examining' nuance of じろじろ. | 顔をまじまじと見る |
じっと じっと / similar | Used for a motionless, focused, and steady gaze. It is neutral and can be used for concentrating intently without ill intent. | Does not imply the active, scanning eye movements of looking someone up and down. | じっと見つめる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using じろじろ for 'staring blankly' or 'zoning out'.
じろじろ implies an active, scrutinizing gaze. For staring into space, use ぼんやり (bonyari).
Using it to describe looking at art appreciatively.
じろじろ sounds judgmental or overly critical. Use じっと (jitto) for focused, respectful observation.
Examples
Examples
人の顔をじろじろ見るのは失礼だ。
ひとの かおを じろじろ みるのは しつれいだ。
It is rude to stare at people's faces.
FigurativeShows the social norm where this action is considered intrusive.
見知らぬ男が、私を上から下までじろじろと見た。
みしらぬ おとこが、わたしを うえから したまで じろじろと みた。
A strange man looked me up and down.
VisualDescribes the eye movement of scanning the whole body, creating an uncomfortable feeling.
彼は不思議そうな顔で、その古い時計をじろじろ見た。
かれは ふしぎそうな かおで、その ふるい とけいを じろじろ みた。
With a puzzled expression, he scrutinized the old watch.
VisualNeutral usage when directed at an object (inanimate) out of curiosity.
電車の中で、隣の人にスマホの画面をじろじろ見られた。
でんしゃの なかで、となりの ひとに スマホの がめんを じろじろ みられた。
On the train, the person next to me kept staring at my phone screen.
VisualUsage of the passive form (mirareru) to indicate annoyance from the speaker's perspective.
新しい先生は、教室に入ると生徒たちを一人ずつじろじろと観察した。
あたらしい せんせいは、きょうしつに はいると せいとたちを ひとりずつ じろじろと かんさつした。
The new teacher scrutinized the students one by one upon entering the classroom.
VisualShows a sweeping, judgmental gaze from a figure of authority.
Similar Words
まじまじ
majimaji
This word describes the action of staring at something fixedly and intently, often out of deep curiosity or surprise. Staring out of surprise or awe without a strong negative nuance.
じっと
jitto
Jitto (じっと) means keeping the body completely still, fixing one's attention unblinkingly on something, or patiently enduring a situation without reacting. A quiet and focused stare, neutral and not intrusive like jirojiro.
Questions
Is じろじろ always a bad thing?
When directed at people, yes, it is almost always considered rude. However, when directed at an inanimate object for inspection, it can be neutral.
What is the difference between じろじろ and じっと?
じっと is a quiet, motionless, and focused gaze (neutral), while じろじろ is an active, scanning, and scrutinizing gaze (often negative).
Can I use じろじろ when looking at a beautiful landscape?
No. じろじろ implies a suspicious or overly detailed inspection. For beautiful scenery, use 眺める (nagameru) or じっと見る.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2016440
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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