Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kinkirakin is used to depict the appearance of objects like clothes, jewelry, or cars that are overly decorated, bright, or glittery. It usually carries a slightly negative nuance of being too showy or in bad taste.
- An excessively flashy or gaudy appearance
- Overly glaring or tacky sparkle
Sense Map
Flashy Appearance
Describes clothes or items with too many decorations or bright colors, making them look tacky or ostentatious.
キンキラキンの衣装
Dazzling Glare
Describes excessive sparkling or shining, like too much gold or glitter reflecting light in a garish way.
キンキラキンに光る
Usage Note
How to Use
キンキラキンの + noun
Used to modify a noun, showing that the object is gaudy or overly flashy (as a no-adjective).
キンキラキンな + noun
Another common way to modify a noun with the exact same meaning (as a na-adjective).
キンキラキンだ
Used at the end of a sentence to state that the subject is gaudy or too flashy.
キンキラキンに + verb
How to Use
Common Phrases
キンキラキンの服
flashy clothes
キンキラキンな車
gaudy car
キンキラキンの時計
showy watch
キンキラキンに光る
to shine flashily
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Clothes and Accessories | Negative | Describes items that are overly flashy, covered in gold/glitter, and considered tacky. |
| Decorations and Customization | Neutral to Negative | Refers to excessively ornate styling, such as customizing a car with too much chrome and shiny paint. |
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 describing a beautiful, pleasant sparkling or glittering (like stars or diamonds). | Kinkirakin implies an excessive, tacky, or gaudy flashiness, whereas kirakira is positive and beautiful. | 星がキラキラ光る。 |
ぴかぴか ぴかぴか / contrast | When something is polished, clean, or brand new and shines smoothly. | Pikapika focuses on being clean and shiny new, while kinkirakin focuses on excessive decoration or gaudiness. | ピカピカの靴。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using kinkirakin to compliment someone's beautiful jewelry.
Use kirakira instead. Kinkirakin means gaudy/tacky, so it might sound insulting.
Using kinkirakin to describe a clean, newly polished floor.
Use pikapika for smooth, clean shine instead.
Examples
Examples
彼はいつもキンキラキンの時計をしている。
かれはいつもキンキラキンのとけいをしている。
He is always wearing a gaudy watch.
VisualIndicates that the watch is overly shiny or covered in gold.
駐車場にキンキラキンな車が止まっている。
ちゅうしゃじょうにキンキラキンなくるまがとまっている。
A very flashy car is parked in the parking lot.
VisualA car that might be painted in glaring colors or have too many shiny chrome parts.
部屋の飾りがちょっとキンキラキンすぎるね。
へやのかざりがちょっとキンキラキンすぎるね。
The room's decorations are a bit too tacky, aren't they?
VisualCriticizing the decorations for being overly ornate.
舞台の衣装はキンキラキンだ。
ぶたいのいしょうはキンキラキンだ。
The stage costumes are extremely flashy.
VisualA context where a gaudy or flashy appearance might be intentional.
そのスーツはキンキラキンで目が痛いよ。
そのスーツはキンキラキンでめがいたいよ。
That suit is so gaudy it hurts my eyes.
FigurativeThe phrase 'hurts my eyes' emphasizes how overly bright or flashy it is.
Similar Words
キラキラ
kirakira
Describes light that shines or glitters beautifully and rhythmically. Kirakira is beautiful and positive, unlike the tacky kinkirakin.
ピカピカ
pikapika
ピカピカ describes something that is shiny, spotlessly clean, or brand new. Pikapika implies clean and polished shine, not over-decorated gaudiness.
Questions
What is the difference between kinkirakin and kirakira?
Kirakira refers to a beautiful, pleasant sparkle, like stars or diamonds. Kinkirakin is an excessive, flashy sparkle that is often considered gaudy or tacky.
Can I use kinkirakin as a compliment?
Usually not. Because it implies something is overly decorated or in bad taste, using it to describe someone's outfit or jewelry might sound rude.
Is kinkirakin a na-adjective or a no-adjective?
It can be used as both. You can say 'kinkirakin na' or 'kinkirakin no' before a noun, and both are natural and common.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2076660
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- ぼけっと (boketto)