Entry
くりくり
kurikuri
Kurikuri describes something smoothly round and cute, most commonly used for big round eyes or a completely shaved head.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
In Japanese, kurikuri is an onomatopoeia used to describe things that have a smooth, round, and cute appearance. It is overwhelmingly used to describe large, bright, and round eyes (like a puppy's) or a cleanly shaved, bald head. It can also describe small spinning or rolling movements.
- Large, round, cute eyes
- Completely shaven smooth head
- Plump and round appearance
- Small turning/spinning motion
Sense Map
Round Eyes
Describes eyes that are large, round, and brightly expressive, conveying innocence and cuteness.
目がくりくりしている。
Shaved Head
Describes a head that has been cleanly shaven, resulting in a smooth and round bare surface.
頭をくりくりに丸める。
Small Spinning
Describes the small, smooth rotational movement of a round object or rolling one's eyes.
小石をくりくりと回す。
Usage Note
How to Use
くりくりした + Noun
Used to modify a noun (usually eyes) to say they are big and round. Example: くりくりした目 (big round eyes).
くりくりの + Noun
Functionally very similar to 'kurikuri shita', linking the quality of roundness directly to the noun.
くりくり（と） + Verb
Acts as an adverb describing a small turning motion or the action of rolling one's eyes open widely.
くりくりに + Verb
Describes the resulting state of an action, typically used with the verb 丸める (to shave/make round) to mean shaving a head completely bald.
How to Use
Common Phrases
くりくりした目
big, round eyes
目をくりくりさせる
to open one's eyes wide and round
くりくり坊主
cleanly shaven head
頭をくりくりにする
to shave one's head completely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing eyes | Positive, cute | Often used to compliment babies, children, or pets who have large, shiny, and expressive round eyes. |
| Describing a head | Neutral | Refers to a freshly and completely shaved head. It implies a smooth, hairless, perfectly round surface. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
くるくる くるくる / similar | When something is continuously spinning around or wrapped in a circular manner. | くるくる focuses on the action of continuous spinning (like a top) or wrapping, whereas くりくり focuses on a static round shape (like big eyes) or a smooth shaved head. | 傘をくるくる回す。 |
ころころ ころころ / similar | When a small round object is rolling, or when something changes frequently. | コロコロ emphasizes the physical rolling movement of a small round object or a light sound, whereas くりくり emphasizes a cute, prominent round shape on a living thing. | ボールがコロコロ転がる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using くりくり to describe a perfectly round inanimate object like a basketball or a globe.
くりくり implies a 'cute, prominent roundness' usually attached to a living thing. For purely spherical inanimate objects, use まん丸 (manmaru).
Confusing くりくり with くるくる for describing spinning objects.
While くりくり can mean a small spinning motion, くるくる is the standard and more natural choice for describing things that spin continuously, like a wheel or a fan.
Examples
Examples
彼女はくりくりした大きな目が特徴だ。
かのじょ は くりくり した おおきな め が とくちょう だ。
Her big, round eyes are her defining feature.
VisualA very common use case praising someone's beautiful eyes.
少年は頭をくりくりに丸めた。
しょうねん は あたま を くりくり に まるめた。
The boy shaved his head completely bald.
VisualShows the action of shaving off all hair until the head is smooth and round.
子犬のくりくりとした瞳に見つめられた。
こいぬ の くりくり とした ひとみ に みつめられた。
I was stared at by the puppy's big, round eyes.
VisualOften applied to adorable pets.
少年は目をくりくりさせて不思議そうにこちらを見た。
しょうねん は め を くりくり させて ふしぎそう に こちら を みた。
The boy opened his eyes wide and round, looking at me curiously.
VisualDescribes the expression of surprise or curiosity by opening the eyes completely round.
その子はどんぐりを指でくりくり回していた。
そのこ は どんぐり を ゆび で くりくり まわしていた。
That child was spinning the acorn round and round with their fingers.
LiteralFocuses on the small spinning motion of a round object.
Similar Words
くるり
kururi
Describes a swift, single turning motion, a sudden complete change, or perfectly round eyes.
くるくる
kurukuru
Describes a light, continuous circular motion, the action of winding something repeatedly, or states that change rapidly. Focuses on the continuous movement of spinning.
ぐりぐり
guriguri
Guriguri describes a firm circular rubbing motion or a hard, palpable lump found under the skin.
ころころ
korokoro
The light rolling movement of small, round objects, or things that change easily and frequently. Focuses on the rolling movement of an object.
Questions
Can I use くりくり to describe a round watermelon?
No. くりくり is generally used for prominent features on living creatures (eyes, head, a chubby body). A round watermelon would be better described as まん丸 (manmaru).
What does 'kurikuri bouzu' mean?
It refers to a person, usually a young boy, whose head has been completely shaved smooth. 'Bouzu' refers to a shaved head, and 'kurikuri' emphasizes its smooth, round shape.
Is くりくり mostly a positive word?
Yes, especially when describing eyes or chubbiness in babies, it carries an overwhelmingly cute and affectionate nuance.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2131860
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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