Entry
じっとり
jittori
Jittori means being unpleasantly damp, clammy, or sticky, especially from sweat or humidity.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Jittori is an onomatopoeia that describes an uncomfortably damp or sticky state. It is most commonly used to describe clammy skin covered in sticky sweat, or thick, heavy humidity in the air that makes you feel uncomfortable.
- sticky sweat
- clammy air
Sense Map
Sticky sweat
The state of skin being uncomfortably damp with sweat due to heat, sickness, or nervousness.
汗をじっとりかく。
Clammy air
The heavy, oppressive sensation in an environment due to high humidity.
じっとりした空気が部屋にこもる。
Usage Note
How to Use
じっとり + verb
Modifies an action, describing how something becomes damp or how someone sweats clammily.
じっとりと + verb
Similar to the above, but the particle 'to' makes it sound slightly more formal or emphasizes the feeling.
じっとりする
Used as a verb to describe the state of feeling clammy or sticky.
じっとりした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as damp or clammy (e.g., clammy air, sticky skin).
How to Use
Common Phrases
じっとり汗をかく
sweat clammily / sweat uncomfortably
じっとりと濡れる
become unpleasantly damp
じっとりした空気
clammy, heavy air
肌がじっとりする
skin feels clammy/sticky
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Sweat on skin | Negative | Often implies a sticky, uncomfortable type of sweat, like when you are extremely nervous or in a humid room. |
| Weather and air | Negative | Describes humid, muggy air that feels heavy and sticks to you. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じとっと じとっと / similar | Use when describing an unpleasant, often slightly sticky dampness. Very similar to jittori. | Unlike jittori, jitotto can also describe a dark, lingering, persistent stare (じとっと見る). | じとっと汗ばむ。 |
さっぱり さっぱり / opposite | Use when someone feels refreshed, clean, and entirely free of sweat or stickiness. | The exact opposite of jittori. If jittori is the unpleasant feeling before a shower, sappari is the feeling after. | シャワーを浴びてさっぱりする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe pleasantly moisturized skin after skincare.
Jittori implies unpleasant, sticky dampness. Use "shittori" (しっとり) for pleasant moisture.
Using it for things completely soaked or submerged in water.
Jittori is for clammy dampness or heavy sweat, not being fully drenched. Use "bishobisho" (びしょびしょ) for soaked items.
Examples
Examples
走った後、シャツがじっとりと汗で濡れていた。
走った(はしった)後(あと)、シャツ(しゃつ)がじっとりと汗(あせ)で濡れ(ぬれ)ていた。
After running, the shirt was unpleasantly damp with sweat.
LiteralDescribes clothes that are uncomfortably damp and sticking to the body due to sweat.
緊張で手にじっとり汗をかいた。
緊張(きんちょう)で手(て)にじっとり汗(あせ)をかい(かい)た。
My hands sweated clammily from nervousness.
LiteralA typical usage for cold sweat or sweat caused by psychological tension.
夏の夜は肌がじっとりして眠れない。
夏(なつ)の夜(よる)は肌(はだ)がじっとりして眠れ(ねむれ)ない。
On summer nights, my skin feels clammy and I can't sleep.
LiteralFocuses on the physical sensation of stickiness on the skin due to heat and humidity.
雨が降りそうな、じっとりした空気が漂っている。
雨(あめ)が降り(ふり)そうな、じっとりした空気(くうき)が漂っ(ただよっ)ている。
A heavy, clammy air suggesting rain is hanging around.
VisualDescribes the heavy, highly humid atmosphere of an environment.
額に前髪がじっとり張り付いている。
額(ひたい)に前髪(まえがみ)がじっとり張り付い(はりつい)ている。
Bangs are sticking clammily to the forehead.
VisualHighlights the visual appearance where something sticks due to sweat.
Similar Words
じとっと
jitotto
Similar to jittori for uncomfortable dampness, but can also describe a dark, lingering stare.
ねっとり
nettori
Nettori describes a thick, sticky, or viscous texture, or a persistent, clinging manner such as a lingering gaze.
さっぱり
sappari
Describes a clean and unburdened state, such as feeling refreshed, having a light taste, or completely lacking something when used with a negative verb. The opposite of jittori, expressing a refreshing, clean feeling free of sticky sweat.
Questions
What is the difference between jittori and shittori?
Shittori describes a pleasant, desirable moistness, like well-moisturized skin or a soft cake. Jittori describes an unpleasant, uncomfortable dampness, like sticky sweat.
Can I use jittori to describe food?
Generally, no. Jittori is used for unpleasant dampness. Describing food as jittori would make it sound gross, flabby, or improperly wet.
Is jittori only used for sweat?
While very common for sweat, it can also describe the air on a very humid, muggy day, or clothes that are uncomfortably damp.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2240930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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