Entry
くらっと
kuratto
Describes a sudden, momentary wave of dizziness or lightheadedness.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
くらっと names a sharp, brief onset of dizziness, such as when standing up too fast, feeling faint from heat, or losing color for a second. The と ending marks the feeling as momentary, not a long spinning spell.
- Sudden physical dizziness
- A brief rush of being charmed
Sense Map
Physical Dizziness
Feeling a sudden wave of dizziness or lightheadedness after standing up quickly, from anemia, or from heat.
急に立ち上がるとくらっとする。
Swept Away (Figurative)
Feeling momentarily unsteady because someone is charming, overwhelming, or unexpectedly attractive.
彼女の笑顔にくらっときた。
Usage Note
How to Use
くらっと + する
The usual form meaning to feel suddenly dizzy or lightheaded.
くらっと + くる
Means the dizzy feeling hits you, or you are suddenly struck by someone's charm.
How to Use
Common Phrases
くらっとする
to feel a sudden wave of dizziness
くらっとくる
to get hit by sudden dizziness, or to be swept away
暑さでくらっとする
to feel dizzy from the heat
一瞬くらっと
dizzy for a brief moment
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Standing up too fast | Neutral | The most typical use: it catches the second when your vision darkens after a sudden change of posture. |
| Being suddenly charmed | Positive | くらっとくる often means a smile, gesture, or voice made your heart skip for a moment. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くらくら くらくら / contrast | Use when the room keeps spinning or the dizzy spell lasts for a while. | Not for a single, momentary loss of balance. | 頭がくらくらする。 |
くらり くらり / similar | Use for a slower, swaying dizzy feeling, often in a softer or more literary tone. | Not as sharp or abrupt as くらっと. | くらりと揺れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using くらっと for feverish dizziness that lasts all day.
Use くらくら for a lasting spell. くらっと is only for a sudden, brief sensation.
Using it as a standalone noun.
Always pair it with a verb such as する or くる.
Examples
Examples
急に立ち上がったら、頭がクラッとした。
きゅうにたちあがったら、あたまがクラッとした。
When I stood up suddenly, I felt a sharp wave of dizziness.
LiteralThe classic lightheaded moment after a sudden change of posture.
夏の暑さで、一瞬クラッと倒れそうになった。
なつのあつさで、いっしゅんクラッとたおれそうになった。
Due to the summer heat, I felt momentarily dizzy and almost collapsed.
LiteralPaired with 一瞬 to stress how brief the feeling is.
彼の優しい笑顔に、思わずクラっときた。
かれのやさしいえがおに、おもわずクラっときた。
I could not help being swept away by his gentle smile.
FigurativeFigurative use for a sudden rush of charm.
貧血のせいで、朝から何度もクラッとする。
ひんけつのせいで、あさからなんどもクラッとする。
Because of anemia, I keep getting brief waves of dizziness since morning.
LiteralPaired with 何度も for brief spells that keep coming back.
強いお酒を飲んだら、急に酔いが回ってクラッときた。
つよいおさけをのんだら、きゅうによいがまわってクラッときた。
After drinking something strong, the alcohol suddenly hit me and made me dizzy.
LiteralDescribes the sudden physical hit when alcohol catches up with you.
Similar Words
クラクラ
kurakura
A sensation of dizziness or vertigo where the head feels like it is spinning, or the appearance of water boiling vigorously. For a longer, continuous spinning dizzy feeling.
くらり
kurari
A sudden sensation of dizziness or lightheadedness. A softer, slower variant of the same brief dizzy feeling.
Questions
What is the difference between くらっと and くらくら?
くらっと is sudden and momentary, such as when you stand up too fast. くらくら is continuous, as when the room keeps spinning for minutes.
Can I use くらっと when I have a cold?
Not if the cold keeps you dizzy all day. If you stand up from bed and lose your balance for a second, くらっと fits.
Is くらっと only used for physical health?
No. It is also used figuratively when someone does something attractive and it makes you feel briefly swept away.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2080380
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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