Entry
キリキリ
kirikiri
A sharp, piercing pain, pulling something extremely tightly, or acting briskly under pressure.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
キリキリ describes a sharp, piercing pain (especially in the stomach), pulling or binding something extremely tightly to its limit, the sound of grinding teeth, or working briskly and rapidly under pressure.
- piercing pain
- tight pulling
- grinding teeth
- brisk action
Sense Map
Sharp Pain
A sharp, piercing, or cramping pain, most commonly used for stomachaches caused by stress.
胃がキリキリ痛む。
Pulling Tightly
Pulling, winding, or binding something (like a rope or bowstring) tightly to its absolute limit.
紐をキリキリと巻き上げる。
Grinding Teeth
Grinding or gnashing one's teeth due to anger, frustration, or enduring pain.
歯をキリキリと食いしばる。
Brisk Action
Working or moving very briskly, quickly, and without hesitation, often in tense or urgent situations.
キリキリ働く。
Usage Note
How to Use
キリキリ（と） + verb
Used with verbs (like 痛む 'to hurt', 締め付ける 'to tighten') to indicate a sharp, tense, or intense action.
キリキリする
Used as a verb to state that something (usually the stomach) is experiencing a sharp, piercing pain.
How to Use
Common Phrases
胃がキリキリ痛む
Stomach hurts with a sharp pain
紐をキリキリ結ぶ
Tie a string very tightly
歯をキリキリさせる
Grind one's teeth
キリキリ働く
Work briskly and efficiently
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Pain (especially stomach) | negative | Usually associated with stress, psychological pressure, or an ulcer. |
| Pulling/tightening | neutral | Implies the object is stretched or tightened to its maximum capacity. |
| Working/acting | neutral | Indicates rushing or working briskly under high demands or pressure. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎりぎり ぎりぎり / nearby | Use for a heavier, duller grinding sound, or to express being at the absolute limit of time or space (barely). | Unlike 'kirikiri', 'girigiri' is not used for sharp pain or brisk working actions. | ぎりぎり間に合った。 |
てきぱき てきぱき / nearby | Use to describe someone working efficiently, smoothly, and competently. | Unlike 'kirikiri', 'tekipaki' has a purely positive nuance of efficiency and does not imply feeling tense or pressured. | てきぱきと片付ける。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using キリキリ for a throbbing headache or muscle ache.
Use ズキズキ for a throbbing pain. キリキリ is specifically for sharp, piercing, cramping pains, mostly in the stomach.
Interpreting キリキリ働く as running physically fast.
For speed, キリキリ means efficiently completing tasks under pressure, not literal physical running speed.
Examples
Examples
大事な面接の前で、胃がキリキリと痛む。
だいじなめんせつのまえで、いがキリキリといたむ。
Before the important interview, my stomach hurts with a sharp, piercing pain.
LiteralThe most common usage for nervous tension causing a stomachache.
紐をキリキリと限界まで巻き上げる。
ひもをキリキリとげんかいまでまきあげる。
Winding the string extremely tightly to its limit.
VisualShows physical pulling tension to the limit of its capacity.
悔しさのあまり、彼は歯をキリキリと食いしばった。
くやしさのあまり、かれははをキリキリとくいしばった。
Out of extreme frustration, he ground his teeth tightly.
LiteralDescribes the sound or action of suppressing strong emotion through the teeth.
締め切りが近いので、休まずキリキリ働いてください。
しめきりがちかいので、やすまずキリキリはたらいてください。
Since the deadline is close, please work briskly without resting.
FigurativeUsed for working under high pressure with no spare time.
弓の弦をキリキリと引き絞る。
ゆみのつるをキリキリとひきしぼる。
Drawing the bowstring tightly to its limit.
VisualDescribes a strong pull creating maximum tension, sometimes producing a creaking sound.
Similar Words
ぎりぎり
girigiri
Heavier grinding sound, or being at the absolute limit.
てきぱき
tekipaki
Doing tasks or taking action quickly, efficiently, and without hesitation. Brisk work with a connotation of smooth efficiency, without tension.
きりり
kiriri
きりり describes something pulled firmly without any slack, a focused and dignified facial expression, or the creaking sound caused by strong tension.
限り限り
girigiri
Girigiri describes being at the absolute edge or threshold where something is only just successful or sufficient.
Questions
Can I use キリキリ for a headache?
It is rare. Throbbing headaches usually take ズキズキ or ガンガン. キリキリ is strongly preferred for stomachaches.
What is the difference between キリキリ and ズキズキ for pain?
キリキリ is a sharp, piercing, or cramping pain. ズキズキ is a throbbing, pulsating pain that beats with your heart.
Does キリキリ働く have a negative meaning?
It can be neutral or slightly negative, as it often implies being forced to work briskly under high pressure or tension.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1631780
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- きしきし (kishikishi)
- Next entry
- くるり (kururi)