Entry
けろり
kerori
Describes acting nonchalantly as if nothing happened, or completely returning to a normal state.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word used when someone acts completely unfazed or innocent after an event. It also describes a sudden, complete change back to normal, such as forgetting something entirely or recovering fully from an illness.
- Nonchalant / Unfazed
- Complete Recovery / Forgetting
Sense Map
Nonchalant / Unfazed
Acting completely calm, innocent, or unaffected, as if nothing out of the ordinary has occurred.
けろりとしている。
Complete Recovery / Forgetting
Returning completely to a normal state, such as fully recovering from sickness or completely forgetting something.
けろりと忘れる。
Usage Note
How to Use
けろりとしている
Used to describe someone's current state of acting completely unfazed or innocent.
けろりと + 動詞
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs like 'to forget' or 'to heal', indicating the action happened completely and abruptly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
けろりとしている
to act nonchalantly
けろりと忘れる
to completely forget
けろりと治る
to recover completely
けろりとした顔
an innocent or unbothered look
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| When recovering from illness | positive | Shows a surprisingly quick and complete return to health. |
| When someone makes a mistake and ignores it | negative | Can express mild annoyance that the person isn't taking their mistake seriously. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
けろっと けろっと / similar | Used interchangeably with けろり, but sounds slightly more casual and conversational. | Has the exact same core meaning of acting nonchalant or completely returning to normal. | けろっと忘れる。 |
しれっと しれっと / similar | Used when someone acts nonchalant or innocent, but often with a slightly more negative or cheeky nuance (playing dumb). | けろり is more about the complete change or lack of reaction, whereas しれっと implies they know what they did but act like they don't. | しれっと嘘をつく。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to mean 'completely' for physical objects breaking or being destroyed.
けろり is for personal states (recovering, forgetting, acting). For physical destruction, use words like すっかり or 完全に.
Confusing it with just 'being quiet'.
It specifically means being unbothered or returning to a normal state after an event, not just silence.
Examples
Examples
ひどく叱られたのに、彼はけろりとしている。
ひどく しかられた のに、 かれ は けろり と している。
Even though he was scolded severely, he acts completely unfazed.
FigurativeHighlights an unbothered attitude despite just experiencing something negative.
大切な約束をけろりと忘れてしまった。
たいせつな やくそく を けろり と わすれて しまった。
I completely forgot about the important promise.
LiteralUsed when memory of something is completely and surprisingly gone.
薬を飲んだら、熱がけろりと治った。
くすり を のんだら、 ねつ が けろり と なおった。
After taking the medicine, the fever completely and suddenly went away.
LiteralEmphasizes a quick recovery and return to a normal physical state.
彼女はけろりとした顔で嘘をついた。
かのじょ は けろり とした かお で うそ を ついた。
She told a lie with a completely innocent face.
VisualDescribes a calm, guilt-free facial expression while doing something bad.
さっきまで泣いていた子供が、おもちゃをもらうとけろりとしている。
さっき まで ないて いた こども が、 おもちゃ を もらう と けろり と している。
The child who was crying just a moment ago is now acting completely fine after getting a toy.
FigurativeHighlights a very fast mood change, returning to a normal state.
Similar Words
けろっと
kerotto
けろっと describes a sudden, complete shift to a normal state, such as recovering fully from illness, forgetting entirely, or acting nonchalantly. A more casual variant.
しれっと
shiretto
Acting completely calm or as if nothing happened, usually after making a mistake or doing something cheeky. Implies acting innocent while knowing what one did.
すっかり
sukkari
Indicates that a state has changed 100% or that an action has been carried out with absolutely nothing left behind.
Questions
What is the difference between けろり and けろっと?
They mean the same thing, but けろっと is slightly more conversational and casual.
Can けろり be used for physical healing?
Yes, けろりと治る is a very common phrase for suddenly and completely recovering from an illness.
Does けろり have a negative meaning?
It can, if you are criticizing someone for acting completely unbothered when they should be apologetic.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2098330
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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