Entry
じろっと
jirotto
A quick, sharp, or intense glance, often with a hint of suspicion or disapproval.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the action of giving someone or something a brief but piercing look. It carries a heavier, more intense nuance than a simple glance, often implying that the looker is suspicious, annoyed, or scrutinizing.
- suspicious glance
- brief sharp look
Sense Map
Sharp glance at someone
Directing a quick, intense look at someone, usually out of suspicion or annoyance.
彼は私をじろっと見た。
Keenly observing an object
Briefly looking at something with a high level of focus or scrutiny.
探偵は怪しい男をじろっと見た。
Usage Note
How to Use
じろっと + 見る/睨む
Used directly before verbs related to sight to describe a sharp and brief manner of looking.
じろっと + 視線を向ける
Describes the action of suddenly directing a sharp gaze at a specific point or person.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じろっと見る
to cast a sharp glance
じろっと睨む
to give a quick glare
じろっと見返す
to return a sharp glance
目をじろっと向ける
to dart one's eyes sharply towards
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Reacting to strangers | Negative | Often describes a guarded look when seeing someone suspicious. |
| Showing displeasure | Negative | Used when someone is annoyed and gives a sharp look as a subtle warning. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じろじろ じろじろ / similar | When someone stares continuously, often considered rude. | じろっと is a single, quick event, while じろじろ is a prolonged, unbroken stare. | じろじろ見る |
ちらっと ちらっと / similar | When looking at something briefly and casually without strong emotion. | ちらっと is light and casual, whereas じろっと is sharp, intense, and often carries negative emotion. | ちらっと見る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using じろっと for an affectionate look.
じろっと has a sharp, cold, or suspicious nuance. It is not suitable for gentle or loving looks.
Confusing it with long staring.
じろっと emphasizes the speed and sharpness of a single glance, not a prolonged stare.
Examples
Examples
彼は私をじろっと見た。
かれはわたしをじろっとみた。
He cast a sharp, quick glance at me.
VisualDescribes an unfriendly or suspicious look.
母は黙ってじろっと睨んだ。
はははだまってじろっとにらんだ。
My mother silently glared at me sharply.
VisualUsed with the verb for glaring to increase the intensity of anger.
すれ違う人にじろっと見られた。
すれちがうひとにじろっとみられた。
I was given a sharp look by a passerby.
VisualShows the feeling of being bothered by a strange look.
探偵は怪しい男をじろっと見た。
たんていはあやしいおとこをじろっとみた。
The detective cast a sharp glance at the suspicious man.
VisualA highly focused and scrutinizing look.
振り返ってじろっと見返す。
ふりかえってじろっとみかえす。
To turn around and return a sharp glance.
VisualUses 'mikaesu' meaning to look back in return.
Similar Words
じろり
jirori
Describes a single, sharp, and intense glance, often carrying a tone of suspicion or disapproval.
じろじろ
jirojiro
To stare at someone or something fixedly and scrutinizingly, often in a rude or intrusive manner. A prolonged, often rude stare.
ちらっと
chiratto
To see or hear something briefly or by accident. A brief, casual glance without strong emotion.
Questions
What is the difference between jirotto and jirojiro?
Jirojiro means to stare fixedly for a long time, while jirotto is a very quick but intense glance.
Can jirotto be used in a friendly way?
Usually no, as it implies suspicion or coldness. It might be used jokingly if pretending to be mad.
Does jirotto mean glaring?
Not exactly. While often used with niramu (to glare), jirotto itself just means the look is sharp and focused.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2121310
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- じいじい (jiijii)
- Next entry
- ずしずし (zushizushi)