Entry
きょろり
kyorori
Describes wide, bright eyes, or a nonchalant, unconcerned expression.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Kyorori primarily describes the visual appearance of eyes that are bright, round, and wide open. Secondarily, it can describe a facial expression or attitude that is innocently blank, nonchalant, or unconcerned, as if nothing has happened.
- Wide Eyes
- Nonchalant Attitude
Sense Map
Wide Eyes
Having bright, round, and wide-open eyes.
目をきょろりとさせる。
Nonchalant Attitude
Looking blank, innocent, or completely unconcerned.
きょろりとこちらを見る。
Usage Note
How to Use
きょろりとする
Used as a verb to describe the action of acting nonchalant or widening one's eyes.
きょろりとした + noun
Modifies a noun (usually "eyes" or "pupils") to describe their wide, bright appearance.
きょろりと + verb
Used as an adverb modifying a verb (like looking) to indicate doing so with wide eyes or nonchalantly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
きょろりとした目
bright, wide eyes
きょろりと見る
to look with wide eyes / to look nonchalantly
目をきょろりとさせる
to open one's eyes wide
きょろりとしている
to act nonchalant or unaffected
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing eyes | Neutral | Highlights eyes that are noticeably round, wide open, or bright, often like an animal or a surprised person. |
| Describing an attitude | Neutral to Negative | Can imply that someone is acting oblivious, innocent, or unconcerned in a situation where they shouldn't be. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぱっちり ぱっちり / similar | For eyes that are attractively large and wide open. | Pacchiri focuses on the beautiful, clear shape of the eyes as a compliment, while kyorori focuses on a sudden roundness or a blank gaze. | ぱっちりとした目 |
けろり けろり / similar | For acting completely normal or unbothered after an incident. | Kerori focuses purely on the emotional recovery or unbothered attitude, whereas kyorori emphasizes the visual aspect of a blank, wide-eyed look. | けろりとしている |
ぎょろぎょろ ぎょろぎょろ / contrast | For eyes that are rolling around, often glaring or looking suspicious. | Gyorogyoro implies unsettling or intense eye movement, while kyorori is a singular bright or blank look. | 目をぎょろぎょろさせる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Confusing kyorori with kyorokyoro.
Kyorokyoro means looking around restlessly, while kyorori describes a single wide-eyed or nonchalant look.
Using kyorori to compliment someone's beautiful eyes.
Pacchiri is the natural choice for complimenting large, beautiful eyes. Kyorori sounds more like they have a blank or suddenly surprised expression.
Examples
Examples
少女はきょろりとした大きな目で私を見上げた。
しょうじょは きょろりとした おおきなめで わたしを みあげた。
The girl looked up at me with large, bright eyes.
VisualDescribes bright, round, wide-open eyes.
怒られているのに、彼はきょろりとしていた。
おこられているのに、かれは きょろりとしていた。
Even though he was being scolded, he looked completely nonchalant.
FigurativeDescribes a nonchalant attitude in a situation where one should feel guilty.
その動物は驚いたように目をきょろりとさせた。
そのどうぶつは おどろいたように めを きょろりと させた。
The animal widened its eyes as if in surprise.
VisualShows the sudden action of opening the eyes wide.
少し首を傾げ、きょろりとこちらを見た。
すこし くびを かしげ、きょろりと こちらを みた。
Tilting their head slightly, they looked at me with wide, innocent eyes.
VisualCombines a look of innocence with wide-open eyes.
みんなが慌てている中、彼女だけがきょろりとしている。
みんなが あわてているなか、かのじょだけが きょろりとしている。
While everyone else is panicking, only she remains completely unconcerned.
FigurativeHighlights the contrast between a nonchalant attitude and surrounding panic.
Similar Words
パッチリ
pacchiri
Describes eyes that are large, bright, and wide open, or being fully awake without drowsiness. Pacchiri is also used for wide eyes, but kyorori implies a sudden blank or round look rather than beauty.
けろり
kerori
Describes acting nonchalantly as if nothing happened, or completely returning to a normal state. Kerori focuses purely on a nonchalant attitude without referring to the visual appearance of the eyes.
ぎょろぎょろ
gyorogyoro
The appearance of large eyes moving restlessly or staring intently. Gyorogyoro implies suspicious eye movement, contrasting with the singular gaze of kyorori.
Questions
What is the difference between kyorori and kyorokyoro?
Kyorori is a single look with wide eyes or a nonchalant expression, while kyorokyoro refers to the action of looking around restlessly.
Can I use kyorori to compliment someone's eyes?
It is better to use 'pacchiri' for compliments, as it sounds beautiful. Kyorori gives an impression of suddenly wide or blank eyes, which might not be taken as a compliment.
Is kyorori used in everyday speaking?
It is understood in speech, but you will more frequently encounter it in novels, manga, and storytelling to describe a character's expression.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2727190
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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