Entry
キンキラ
kinkira
キンキラ describes something that is excessively flashy, gaudy, or ostentatiously shiny, often with a slightly cheap or tacky undertone.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe objects, clothing, or decorations that are extremely bright, shiny, and showy. Unlike the pure and beautiful sparkle of 'kirakira', 'kinkira' often carries a slightly negative nuance, implying that something is overly decorated, tasteless, or trying too hard to stand out.
- flashy or gaudy appearance
- ostentatious and excessive shininess
Sense Map
Gaudy Appearance
Describes clothing, makeup, or personal style that is excessively flashy and seeks attention in an inelegant way.
キンキラな服を着る
Ostentatious Shine
Describes objects, jewelry, or decorations that are overwhelmingly bright or covered in shiny, sometimes fake-looking gold.
キンキラの時計
Usage Note
How to Use
キンキラの + noun
Used to modify a noun, describing it as gaudy or excessively shiny (e.g., a flashy watch).
キンキラな + noun
An alternative adjectival form to describe a noun with a flashy or tacky attribute.
キンキラに + verb
Used as an adverb to describe an action being done in a gaudy or ostentatiously shiny manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
キンキラの服
flashy clothes
キンキラに光る
to shine gaudily
キンキラな時計
a tacky / flashy watch
キンキラの装飾
ostentatious decorations
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clothing and fashion | negative | Implies the outfit is too loud, tasteless, or trying too hard to grab attention. |
| Decorations and objects | neutral to negative | Highlights that the object is covered in shiny materials, often looking somewhat cheap. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きらきら きらきら / contrast | When something sparkles beautifully, purely, or naturally (like stars or diamonds). | Kinkira is used for artificial, excessive, or tacky shininess. | 星がキラキラ光る |
ぎらぎら ぎらぎら / similar | When a light is intensely blinding, harsh, or oppressive (like the glaring sun). | Kinkira focuses on showy or cheap decoration, whereas giragira is about harsh light intensity. | 太陽がギラギラ照りつける |
ぴかぴか ぴかぴか / similar | When a surface is newly polished, clean, and catching light. | Kinkira describes excessive decorative shine, while pikapika describes the clean shine of a polished surface. | 床をピカピカに磨く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'kinkira' as a compliment for someone's beautiful jewelry.
It often sounds like you are calling the jewelry tacky or fake; use 'kirakira' for a pure compliment.
Using it to describe the natural sparkle of stars or water.
'Kinkira' is only used for artificial, man-made gaudiness, not for natural phenomena.
Examples
Examples
彼はいつもキンキラの時計をしている。
かれはいつもキンキラのとけいをしている。
He is always wearing a flashy watch.
VisualFocuses on the flashy and showy nature of the accessory.
舞台の衣装はキンキラに光っていた。
ぶたいのいしょうはキンキラにひかっていた。
The stage costumes were shining gaudily.
VisualHighlights the overwhelming brightness of the stage costumes.
その部屋はキンキラな装飾でいっぱいだった。
そのへやはキンキラなそうしょくでいっぱいだった。
The room was full of ostentatiously shiny decorations.
VisualDescribes an interior that feels a bit too decorated and ostentatious.
キンキラの服を着てパーティーに行った。
キンキラのふくをきてパーティーにいった。
I went to the party wearing excessively flashy clothes.
VisualShows how 'kinkira' describes clothing that is loudly seeking attention.
成金趣味のキンキラな車が止まっている。
なりきんしゅみのキンキラなくるまがとまっている。
A gaudy car with nouveau-riche taste is parked there.
FigurativeExtends to social nuance, implying the owner is showing off wealth in a tacky way.
Similar Words
キラキラ
kirakira
Describes light that shines or glitters beautifully and rhythmically. For pure, beautiful sparkles.
ギラギラ
giragira
Describes an intense, overwhelming brightness or a coarse, aggressive shine. For blinding or harsh light.
ピカピカ
pikapika
ピカピカ describes something that is shiny, spotlessly clean, or brand new. For clean, polished surfaces.
キンキラキン
kinkirakin
Kinkirakin describes something that is excessively sparkly or flashy, often to the point of being gaudy or tacky.
Questions
Is 'kinkira' a positive word?
Usually, no. It often implies that something is too flashy, ostentatious, or tacky, lacking elegance.
Can I use 'kinkira' for a beautiful diamond?
It is better to use 'kirakira' for a beautiful diamond. 'Kinkira' might make it sound cheap or overly showy.
What is the difference between 'kinkira' and 'kinkirakin'?
'Kinkirakin' is simply a more emphatic, longer version of 'kinkira', emphasizing the excessive gaudiness even further.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2851775
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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