Entry
キョロキョロ
kyorokyoro
Describes the action of looking around restlessly or curiously in multiple directions.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to depict someone who is constantly moving their eyes or head to look in various directions. It often implies the person is in an unfamiliar environment, is searching for something, or is feeling unsettled and nervous.
- Looking around because of confusion or being in a new place.
- Looking here and there while searching for someone or something.
- Scanning surroundings restlessly or suspiciously.
Sense Map
Curiosity or Confusion
Looking in various directions because of being unfamiliar with the surroundings or out of interest.
The place was so new to me that I looked around with curiosity.
Restlessness or Searching
Moving eyes quickly back and forth because of nervousness or trying to find a specific object.
Looking all around in front of the station to find a friend.
Usage Note
How to Use
キョロキョロする
The verb form meaning to perform the action of looking around restlessly.
キョロキョロ（と）見回す
Used with the verb to look around to emphasize the action of searching or scanning.
キョロキョロしながら
Means doing another action while constantly looking around.
How to Use
Common Phrases
キョロキョロ見回す
to look around in all directions
辺りをキョロキョロ見る
to look around the area restlessly
不審な動きでキョロキョロする
to look here and there with suspicious movements
キョロキョロしながら歩く
to walk while looking around
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Tourist in a new place | neutral | Indicates natural wonder or slight confusion. |
| Someone being watched | negative | Indicates wary behavior, possibly hiding something. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎょろぎょろ ぎょろぎょろ / similar | Used when someone has large or goggling eyes that move sharply. | Focuses on the size or sharp glare of the eyes rather than just the movement of looking around. | Staring with large, rolling eyes. |
うろうろ うろうろ / similar | Used when someone is walking around aimlessly or restlessly. | Focuses on the physical movement of the legs or body rather than just the eyes. | Wandering around in confusion. |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this for staring at one object for a long time.
Use jiro-jiro or jitto for focused staring.
Thinking it only means suspicious behavior.
It can also mean innocent curiosity, like a child in a toy store.
Examples
Examples
はじめて東京に来たので、キョロキョロしてしまった。
はじめてとうきょうにきたので、きょろきょろしてしまった。
Since it was my first time in Tokyo, I ended up looking all around with curiosity.
VisualDescribes a tourist amazed by the city sights.
待ち合わせの場所が見つからず、駅前をキョロキョロと見回した。
まちあわせのばしょがみつからず、えきまえをきょろきょろとみまわした。
I couldn't find the meeting spot, so I looked all around in front of the station.
LiteralUsed when searching for someone in a crowd.
怪しい男が辺りをキョロキョロ見ながら歩いている。
あやしいおとこがあたりをきょろきょろみながらあるいている。
A suspicious man is walking while looking around restlessly.
FigurativeIndicates wary and suspicious behavior.
子供が珍しいおもちゃを求めて、店内をキョロキョロしている。
こどもがめずらしいおもちゃをもとめて、てんないをきょろきょろしている。
The child is looking all around the store for a rare toy.
VisualDescribes the enthusiasm of children.
面接の前に緊張して、控え室でキョロキョロしてしまった。
めんせつのまえにきんちょうして、ひかえしつできょろきょろしてしまった。
I got nervous before the interview and ended up looking around restlessly in the waiting room.
LiteralDescribes restlessness due to situational pressure.
Similar Words
ぎょろぎょろ
gyorogyoro
The appearance of large eyes moving restlessly or staring intently. Focuses on sharp glare or large eyes moving.
うろうろ
urouro
Urouro describes the action of wandering around a limited area without a clear purpose or destination. Focuses on body or leg movement wandering around.
きょとん
kyoton
A mimetic word that describes a blank or puzzled facial expression when someone doesn't understand a situation or is taken by surprise.
Questions
Is Kyoro Kyoro always negative?
No. It is frequently used for tourists visiting a city for the first time or children looking around with interest.
What is the difference between Kyoro Kyoro and Gyoro Gyoro?
Kyoro Kyoro focuses on the action of looking in many directions due to confusion or searching, while Gyoro Gyoro focuses on large eyes or a sharp glare.
Can I use it when searching for a lost item?
Yes, it is very common when someone is actively looking for something or someone by moving their head around.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1003490
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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