Entry
パッチリ
pacchiri
Describes eyes that are large, bright, and wide open, or being fully awake without drowsiness.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word (gitaigo) that describes eyes that are naturally large, bright, and wide open. It is also commonly used to express waking up completely with a clear head, free from drowsiness. It carries a positive, lively nuance.
- Large, wide-open eyes
- Waking up completely
Sense Map
Large, Bright Eyes
Used to describe eyes that are attractively large and wide open.
パッチリした目
Fully Awake
Used to describe the state of waking up completely, with eyes wide open and no sleepiness.
パッチリ目が覚める
Usage Note
How to Use
パッチリ（と） + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs related to the eyes, such as 'to open' (hiraku) or 'to wake up' (mezameru).
パッチリする
Functions as a verb, often meaning 'eyes become wide' or 'eyes look larger' (e.g., due to makeup or waking up).
パッチリ（と）した + noun
Acts as an adjective modifying a noun (usually 'eyes' or 'face'), meaning 'large and bright'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
目をパッチリ開ける
to open one's eyes wide
パッチリした目
large, bright eyes
目がパッチリ覚める
to wake up wide awake
ぱっちり二重
clear and wide double eyelids
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing physical appearance | Positive | Often used as a compliment, especially for babies, children, or women who have notably large, attractive eyes. |
| Cosmetic effect | Positive | A common buzzword in Japanese makeup culture to describe the effect of eyeliner or mascara making eyes pop. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
きょろり きょろり / similar | When describing large eyes that are moving around or looking around restlessly. | Pacchiri focuses on the physical shape, brightness, and openness of the eyes, while kyorori emphasizes the movement of the eyes looking around. | 目をきょろりとする |
かっと かっと / contrast | When eyes are thrown wide open suddenly due to strong emotions like anger, shock, or realization. | Pacchiri has a gentle, positive nuance (attractive eyes or waking up nicely), whereas katto implies intense, sudden emotion. | 目をカッと見開く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe opening a physical object like a box, door, or window wide.
Pacchiri is specifically used for eyes. For physical objects opening wide, use words like 'paka-tto' or 'kara-tto'.
Using it for a scary or angry glare.
Pacchiri has a cute, lively, or positive nuance. For a scary or intense stare, use 'giron' or 'katto'.
Examples
Examples
彼女はパッチリした目をしている。
かのじょはパッチリしためをしている。
She has large, bright eyes.
VisualUsed to compliment the attractive shape of someone's eyes.
朝早く起きたが、目はパッチリ開いている。
あさはやくおきたが、めはパッチリあいている。
Even though I woke up early, my eyes are wide open and I'm fully awake.
VisualFocuses on the physical state of the eyes being wide open due to lack of sleepiness.
赤ちゃんが目をパッチリと見開いた。
あかちゃんがめをパッチリとみひらいた。
The baby opened its eyes wide.
VisualVery commonly paired with the verb 'mihiraku' (to open wide) for babies.
メイクで目がぱっちりする。
メイクでめがぱっちりする。
Makeup makes the eyes look bigger and brighter.
VisualA common verb usage in beauty and cosmetic contexts.
コーヒーを飲んだら、パッチリ目が覚めた。
コーヒーをのんだら、パッチリめがさめた。
After drinking coffee, I woke up completely alert.
FigurativeDescribes mental alertness and the complete disappearance of sleepiness.
Similar Words
きょろり
kyorori
Emphasizes the movement of large eyes looking around.
Questions
Can I use pacchiri for anything other than eyes?
No, pacchiri is almost exclusively used for eyes, either their physical shape, makeup effects, or the act of waking up fully.
Is it natural to use pacchiri to compliment an adult man?
While it can describe a man's eyes if they are notably large and round, it is much more frequently applied to babies, children, or women due to its cute and soft nuance.
What's the difference between pacchiri suru and pacchiri shita?
'Pacchiri suru' often describes an action or change (e.g., eyes becoming wide from makeup or suddenly waking up), while 'pacchiri shita' modifies a noun to describe a fixed state (e.g., having naturally large eyes).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010430
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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