Entry
にったり
nittari
Nittari means to smile quietly in a sly, self-satisfied, or meaningful way.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word describes a faint, often creepy smile. It conveys that the person has a hidden motive, is plotting something, or is smugly satisfied with a situation that might not be entirely innocent.
- sly smirk
- unsettling smile
Sense Map
Sly or Self-Satisfied Smirk
Used when someone smiles because they have a secret plan or are smugly pleased with gaining an advantage.
にったりと笑う
Creepy Faint Smile
Describes a silent, slight smile that feels unnatural, suspicious, or frightening to an observer.
にったりしている
Usage Note
How to Use
にったりと + 動詞（笑うなど）
にったりする
Used as a verb to state that someone is forming a smirk.
にったりした + 名詞（顔など）
How to Use
Common Phrases
にったりと笑う
to give a sly smirk
にったりとする
to smirk quietly
にったりした顔
a face with a meaningful or creepy smile
口元がにったりする
to have a smirk form on one's lips
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| A villain revealing their master plan. | Sinister and smug. | A textbook scenario for nittari, highlighting the character's malicious satisfaction. |
| Someone figuring out a juicy secret. | Manipulative and knowing. | Shows the person is pleased with the leverage or information they have just acquired. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
にやり にやり / similar | Use niyari for a very quick, fleeting smirk that happens in an instant. | Nittari can feel slightly more prolonged and carries a heavier, creepier nuance than a quick niyari. | にやりと笑う |
にやにや にやにや / similar | Use niyaniya when someone is grinning continuously, often because they are thinking about something amusing or suspicious. | Niyaniya refers to an ongoing, continuous grin, while nittari is a specific facial expression of a single, unsettling smirk. | にやにやする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using nittari to describe an adorable baby's smile.
Use niko niko instead. Using nittari makes the baby sound like an evil mastermind plotting a scheme.
Thinking nittari means to laugh out loud.
Nittari is a mimetic word describing a visual expression. The smile is completely silent.
Examples
Examples
彼は計画が成功したのを見て、にったりと笑った。
かれはけいかくがせいこうしたのをみて、にったりとわらった。
He gave a sly smirk seeing that his plan had succeeded.
LiteralShows satisfaction over a successful, perhaps sinister, scheme.
暗闇の中で男がにったりしているのが見えた。
くらやみのなかでおとこがにったりしているのがみえた。
I saw the man smirking creepily in the dark.
LiteralHighlights the creepy and unsettling nature of the smile.
その質問を聞いて、彼女は意味ありげににったりとした。
そのしつもんをきいて、かのじょはいみありげににったりとした。
Hearing that question, she gave a meaningful smirk.
LiteralA smile indicating that she knows a secret or has a hidden motive.
鏡の前でにったりした顔を作る。
かがみのまえでにったりしたかおをつくる。
Making a smirking face in front of the mirror.
LiteralDescribes deliberately forming that specific facial expression.
相手の失敗に、思わず口元がにったりする。
あいてのしっぱいにおもわずくちもとがにったりする。
Unconsciously forming a smirk at the opponent's failure.
LiteralA suppressed smile that slips out from taking pleasure in someone else's misfortune.
Similar Words
ニヤリ
niyari
A momentary, meaningful smirk or grin, often carrying a suggestive, knowing, or slightly sinister undertone. Use niyari for a very quick, fleeting smirk that happens in an instant. Nittari can feel slightly more prolonged and carries a heavier, creepier nuance than a quick niyari.
ニヤニヤ
niyaniya
ニヤニヤ means to smirk or grin continuously, often indicating self-satisfaction, harboring a secret, or thinking about something funny. Use niyaniya when someone is grinning continuously, often because they are thinking about something amusing or suspicious. Niyaniya refers to an ongoing, continuous grin, while nittari is a specific facial expression of a single, unsettling smirk.
Questions
Can nittari be used as a compliment?
No. It has a negative, creepy, or sly nuance and would be insulting or confusing if used as a compliment.
What is the difference between nittari and niko niko?
Niko niko is a genuine, warm, and friendly smile. Nittari is a sly, creepy smile with a hidden agenda.
Does nittari involve making any noise?
No, it is purely a visual description of a facial expression. The smirk happens quietly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 904608297
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/につたり-3215459
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- ルンルン (runrun)
- Next entry
- もわもわ (mowamowa)