Entry
くわっと
kuwatto
Opening (eyes or mouth) suddenly and widely.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the action of opening something, especially the eyes or mouth, very widely and suddenly, often out of shock, anger, or an intense reaction.
- eyes wide open
- mouth gaping
Sense Map
Eyes Wide Open
Opening the eyes very widely and suddenly, often due to strong emotions like shock, anger, or sudden realization.
目をくわっと見開く
Mouth Wide Open
Opening the mouth suddenly and extremely widely, often used for wild animals, monsters, or aggressive actions.
口をくわっと開ける
Usage Note
How to Use
くわっと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs related to opening something, specifically highlighting the suddenness and width.
くわっと + 見開く
The most common phrase used to describe eyes suddenly opening wide in astonishment or anger.
くわっと + 開ける
How to Use
Common Phrases
目をくわっと見開く
open eyes wide
口をくわっと開ける
open mouth wide
くわっと目を開ける
open eyes suddenly and wide
くわっと大口を開ける
open a large mouth widely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eyes (Shock / Anger) | Neutral to tense | Emphasizes the physical wideness of eyelids pulled back suddenly. |
| Mouth (Animals / Monsters) | Threatening / Wild | Creates a threatening and ferocious impression, like a predator about to attack. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
かっと かっと / similar | When eyes open wide in a glare of intense anger, or when light flashes brightly. | くわっと emphasizes the physical wideness of the opening, while カッと focuses on burning intensity or rage. | カッと目を見開く |
がらっと がらっと / contrast | When suddenly sliding open a door, window, or similar physical object. | ガラッと is for inanimate sliding objects, whereas くわっと is specifically for body parts like eyes or mouth. | ドアをガラッと開ける |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using くわっと for opening a door or a box.
くわっと is strictly for eyes or mouths. For a sliding door, use ガラッと (garatto).
Using くわっと for eyes opening slowly.
くわっと implies a very sudden, extreme action. For a slow opening, use slowly (ゆっくり).
Examples
Examples
彼は驚いて目をくわっと見開いた。
かれはおどろいてめをくわっとみひらいた。
He opened his eyes wide in surprise.
VisualA common usage for showing shock.
怒りで目をくわっと見開いて睨んだ。
いかりでめをくわっとみひらいてにらんだ。
They glared with their eyes wide open in anger.
VisualUsed for intense emotion like anger.
ライオンがくわっと大きな口を開けた。
ライオンがくわっとおおきなくちをあけた。
The lion opened its large mouth wide.
VisualUsed for sudden, wide opening of the mouth.
暗闇の中で怪物がくわっと口を開くのが見えた。
くらやみのなかでかいぶつがくわっとくちをひらくのがみえた。
In the darkness, I saw the monster suddenly open its mouth wide.
VisualCreates a dramatic and sudden effect.
少女はくわっと目を開けて目を覚ました。
しょうじょはくわっとめをあけてめをさました。
The girl woke up with her eyes suddenly opening wide.
VisualOpening eyes suddenly after being asleep or unconscious.
Similar Words
カッと
katto
Expresses a sudden, high-intensity flare-up of emotion, light, heat, or a sharp physical movement like widening one's eyes. Also used for opening eyes wide, but focuses on the emotion of intense anger.
ガラッと
garatto
A sudden, complete change, or the loud clatter of flinging open a door. Used for inanimate objects like doors or windows opening suddenly, not for body parts.
ぱくっと
pakutto
Pakutto describes something suddenly opening widely, such as a mouth gaping open or a surface splitting apart.
Questions
Can I use this for opening a window?
No, for sliding windows or doors, you should use ガラッと (garatto).
What is the difference between くわっと and カッと when used with eyes?
Both mean opening eyes wide, but カッと (katto) carries a strong nuance of fierce anger or glaring, while くわっと can be just sheer surprise or a sudden physical action.
Can I use くわっと for animals?
Yes! It is often used to describe a wild animal or monster opening its mouth wide to attack or roar.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2734730
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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