Entry
カリッと
karitto
Describes a crisp texture or a light, satisfying crunching sound when biting into hard, fried, or baked foods.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe the distinctly crisp exterior of perfectly cooked foods (like fried chicken or toast) or the light, sharp sound made when biting into small, hard items (like nuts or hard candies).
- crispness of fried or baked foods
- light crunch of biting into something hard
Sense Map
Crisp Texture
Describes the surface of food that has been cooked until perfectly crisp, without being soggy or overly hard.
カリッと揚がる
Crunching Sound
Describes a single, sharp, and light crunching sound when chewing on hard foods.
飴をカリッと噛む
Usage Note
How to Use
カリッと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action that results in a crisp state (e.g., frying, baking).
カリッとする
Indicates that the subject has a crisp texture or gives off a crunchy sensation.
カリッとした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as having a crisp or crunchy quality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
カリッと揚がる
fried to a crisp
カリッと焼く
baked/toasted until crisp
カリッとした食感
crisp texture
カリッと噛む
bite with a crunch
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Fried or toasted foods | positive | Implies the food is perfectly cooked, appealing, and not soggy. |
| Biting small hard snacks | neutral | Highlights the specific sound and feeling of the teeth breaking a hard surface. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱりっと ぱりっと / contrast | Used for thin, brittle items snapping or crisping, such as thin crackers, sausage casings, or non-food items like stiff paper. | Not for solid or thicker hard foods like nuts, which require カリッと. | パリッと割れる |
しゃきっと しゃきっと / contrast | Used for the crispness of fresh, watery vegetables (like lettuce or celery), or acting alert/upright. | Never used for dry, fried, or baked foods. | シャキッとしたレタス |
ばりばり ばりばり / contrast | Used for a loud, continuous, and vigorous crunching sound, or tearing something forcefully. | カリッと is a single, light snap/crispness; バリバリ is heavy and continuous. | バリバリ食べる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using カリッと to describe fresh salad or vegetables.
Use シャキッと (shakitto) for watery, fresh vegetable crispness. カリッと is exclusively for dry, cooked, or hard items.
Using it for a loud person chewing heavily on chips.
カリッと focuses on a light, refined crispness. For loud, continuous crunching, use ボリボリ (boribori) or バリバリ (baribari).
Examples
Examples
唐揚げがカリッと揚がった。
からあげがカリッとあがった。
The fried chicken is fried to a crisp.
LiteralDescribes a perfectly fried result.
トーストをカリッと焼く。
トーストをカリッとやく。
Toast the bread until it's crisp.
LiteralThe surface of the bread becomes crisp.
アーモンドをカリッと噛む。
アーモンドをカリッとかむ。
Biting into an almond with a crunch.
LiteralFocuses on the light sound of biting a nut.
飴をカリッと噛み砕く。
あめをカリッとかみくだく。
Crunching down on a hard candy.
LiteralThe sound of hard candy breaking in the mouth.
表面がカリッとした食感のクッキー。
ひょうめんがカリッとしたしょっかんのクッキー。
A cookie with a crisp texture on the outside.
LiteralUsing the adjectival form to describe a noun.
Similar Words
パリッと
paritto
This word describes a crisp texture, a sharp cracking or tearing sound, or a stylish and dapper appearance. Used for thin, brittle crispness (like a thin potato chip), rather than thick/dense foods.
シャキッと
shakitto
Describes a crisp texture in food, a sharp and alert state of mind, or a smart and upright posture. For watery, fresh vegetables, the opposite of dry crispness.
バリバリ
baribari
バリバリ describes doing something with intense energy and force, such as working highly effectively, tearing things roughly, or eating hard food with a loud crunch. Heavy, continuous crunching, as opposed to a light single snap.
Questions
What is the difference between カリッと and パリッと?
カリッと implies a thicker or denser hard surface (like nuts or fried chicken coating). パリッと is for very thin, brittle crispness (like a thin potato chip or sausage skin).
Can I use カリッと for an apple?
No. The crispness of fresh, juicy fruits or vegetables is described using シャキッと (shakitto) or サクサク (sakusaku). カリッと is for dry and hard crispness.
Is カリッと a positive word?
Yes, in the context of food, it is highly positive and is frequently used in advertising to make food sound delicious.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2413680
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ムスっと (musutto)
- Next entry
- のたりのたり (notarinotari)