Entry
じゅるり
jururi
Represents the sound of slurping or swallowing back saliva when tempted by delicious food.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This onomatopoeia describes the sound a person makes when they slurp or swallow their own saliva due to an intense craving. It is most commonly used when seeing or smelling delicious food, triggering a strong appetite. It can also be used figuratively to express greed or intense desire for a valuable item or opportunity.
- Slurping saliva from hunger
- Intense craving or greed
Sense Map
Salivating over food
Describes the literal sound of sucking back saliva that is about to drip due to being tempted by food.
よだれをじゅるりとすする。
Strong craving or appetite
Used to show a very strong desire to obtain something advantageous or appealing.
ごちそうを見てじゅるりとする。
Usage Note
How to Use
じゅるりと + verb
Used with verbs like 'to slurp' (すする) or 'to sound' (音がする) to describe the action of swallowing saliva.
じゅるりとする
Functions as a verb to express the state of drooling or being tempted by something.
How to Use
Common Phrases
じゅるりとすする
to slurp back saliva
じゅるりとする
to drool / to slurp saliva
よだれがじゅるりと
saliva slurping
思わずじゅるりと
to unintentionally slurp saliva
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When seeing delicious food | Positive / Comical | Shows how tempting the food is, causing the person looking at it to swallow their saliva. |
| Seeing something very profitable | Greedy / Tempted | Can be used figuratively like a thief or villain tempted by treasure (licking lips/drooling). |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
じゅるじゅる じゅるじゅる / similar | Use when describing the continuous sound of slurping liquid, such as a runny nose or soupy food. | ジュルジュル implies a lot of liquid and a repeated sound, whereas じゅるり is usually a single slurp of saliva. | 鼻水をジュルジュルすする。 |
ぺちゃぺちゃ ぺちゃぺちゃ / contrast | Use when describing the sound of smacking lips while eating or an animal lapping up water. | ぺちゃぺちゃ is the mouth sound while eating or lapping, not the sound of swallowing saliva before eating. | 犬が水をぺちゃぺちゃ飲む。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using じゅるり to describe eating noodles or drinking soup.
じゅるり is the sound of swallowing saliva out of temptation. For eating noodles, use つるつる or ずずっと.
Using it in formal conversation to praise food.
This word is comical and informal. It is not suitable for formal dining situations.
Examples
Examples
美味しそうなケーキを見て、思わずよだれをじゅるりとすすった。
おいしそうなケーキをみて、おもわずよだれをじゅるりとすすった。
Looking at the delicious-looking cake, I unintentionally slurped back my saliva.
LiteralA very common literal usage to show anticipation of sweet food.
焼肉の匂いを嗅ぐだけで、じゅるりとしてしまう。
やきにくのにおいをかぐだけで、じゅるりとしてしまう。
Just smelling the Korean BBQ makes me drool.
Literalじゅるりとする here functions as a verb meaning 'to start drooling'.
彼は目の前のごちそうに、じゅるりと喉を鳴らした。
かれはめのまえのごちそうに、じゅるりとのどをならした。
He gulped with a slurp at the feast in front of him.
Literal喉を鳴らす means 'to make the throat sound', combined with じゅるり to emphasize the swallowing sound.
メニューの写真があまりにも魅力的で、口の中でじゅるりと音がした。
メニューのしゃしんがあまりにもみりょくてきで、くちのなかでじゅるりとおとがした。
The photos on the menu were so appealing that a slurping sound came from my mouth.
LiteralExplains that hunger can be triggered just by visual stimuli (photos).
そのお宝の話を聞いて、泥棒はじゅるりと舌なめずりをした。
そのおたからのはなしをきいて、どろぼうはじゅるりとしたなめずりをした。
Hearing the story about the treasure, the thief licked his lips with greedy anticipation.
FigurativeA figurative example where greed is likened to hunger for food.
Similar Words
ジュルジュル
jurujuru
The wet sound of slurping liquids, sucking saliva, or sniffling a runny nose. Indicates a continuous sound of slurping a large amount of liquid.
ぺちゃぺちゃ
pechapecha
The wet sound of eating or lapping up liquids, or the sound of people chatting noisily and continuously. The sound of smacking lips while eating, not anticipation before eating.
Questions
Can I use じゅるり when eating ramen?
No. じゅるり is more appropriate before eating (when looking at the ramen and swallowing saliva). When eating it, use a word like つるつる.
Is this word polite?
This word is informal and sounds like a comic sound effect. You should avoid using it in formal or business situations.
Is this word only used for food?
Generally for food, but it can also be used figuratively to show intense desire or interest in valuable items or material gain.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2266820
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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