Entry
ぱちくり
pachikuri
Blinking rapidly in response to a sudden surprise or state of confusion.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes the physical action of blinking one's eyes repeatedly and quickly. It is typically used when someone is caught off guard, surprised by unexpected news, or bewildered by a situation unfolding before them.
- blinking from surprise
- blinking from bewilderment
Sense Map
Surprise
Blinking quickly because one has seen or heard something highly unexpected.
驚いて目をぱちくりさせる
Bewilderment
Blinking repeatedly while trying to process a confusing or incomprehensible situation.
不思議そうに目をぱちくりする
Usage Note
How to Use
目をぱちくりさせる
The causative form often used to describe one 'making their eyes blink' in reaction to a shock.
目をぱちくりする
An alternative structure directly using the 'suru' verb to mean 'to blink in surprise'.
ぱちくりと
Used as an adverb modifying another related verb like blinking (瞬きする).
How to Use
Common Phrases
目をぱちくりさせる
to blink one's eyes in surprise
目をぱちくりする
to blink one's eyes (in wonder)
ぱちくりと瞬きをする
to blink rapidly
驚いて目をぱちくり
blinking in astonishment
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Hearing nonsensical news. | neutral | Shows the subject actively trying to mentally process the shocking information they just received. |
| Waking up in an unfamiliar environment. | neutral | Highlights visual confusion as they look around trying to understand where they are. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びっくり びっくり / similar | When you want to state the feeling of being surprised in general, without specifically referencing eye movements. | びっくり focuses on the internal emotional state of surprise, whereas ぱちくり focuses strictly on the physical eye movement caused by surprise. | 大きな音にびっくりする。 |
ぱちぱち ぱちぱち / similar | When describing the sound of clapping, crackling fire, or mechanical blinking of eyes without the context of surprise. | パチパチ can describe the mere physical motion of opening and closing eyes, while ぱちくり always carries a nuance of being surprised or confused. | パチパチと瞬きをする。 |
しょぼしょぼ しょぼしょぼ / contrast | When eyes are blinking weakly because they are tired, sleepy, or dry. | しょぼしょぼ describes weak blinking due to fatigue or dryness, completely lacking the element of astonishment present in ぱちくり. | 目がしょぼしょぼする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぱちくり for natural, reflex blinking.
For regular, unconscious blinking, use the standard verb 瞬きをする (mabataki o suru).
Using ぱちくり to describe dry, stinging eyes.
Use しょぼしょぼ to describe the weak blinking associated with dry or tired eyes.
Examples
Examples
突然名前を呼ばれて、目をぱちくりさせた。
とつぜんなまえをよばれて、めをぱちくりさせた。
I blinked my eyes in surprise when my name was called suddenly.
VisualShows surprise from an unexpected occurrence.
手品を見て、子供は目をぱちくりしている。
てじなをみて、こどもはめをぱちくりしている。
Watching the magic trick, the child is blinking in bewilderment.
VisualDescribes the innocence of a child confused and unable to comprehend what happened.
信じられない話を聞いて、彼はぱちくりするばかりだった。
しんじられないはなしをきいて、かれはぱちくりするばかりだった。
Hearing the unbelievable story, he could only blink in astonishment.
VisualIndicates that he was so surprised he was at a loss for words.
彼女は状況が理解できず、ぱちくりと瞬きをした。
かのじょはじょうきょうがりかいできず、ぱちくりとまばたきをした。
Unable to understand the situation, she blinked her eyes repeatedly.
VisualEmphasizes visual confusion from not knowing what is going on.
部屋の変わりように驚いて、目をぱちくりさせた。
へやのかわりようにおどろいて、めをぱちくりさせた。
I blinked my eyes in shock at how much the room had changed.
VisualShows a person's shock upon seeing a new sight.
Similar Words
びっくり
bikkuri
The feeling of being suddenly surprised or startled by something unexpected. Focuses on the internal emotion of surprise, whereas pachikuri focuses on the eye movement.
パチパチ
pachipachi
Represents light, sharp, repeated sounds like a crackling fire, clapping hands, or the visual action of blinking. Regular physical blinking movement without the indication of shock or bewilderment.
しょぼしょぼ
shoboshobo
Shoboshobo describes a weak, energy-lacking state, such as tired eyes blinking, persistent weak drizzle, or walking despondently. Eyes blinking weakly from fatigue or sleepiness, unlike the rapid blinking of pachikuri.
Questions
Can ぱちくり be used for other body parts?
No, this word is exclusively used to describe the movement of eyes.
What is the difference between ぱちくり and 瞬き (mabataki)?
瞬き is the standard noun for a blink, while ぱちくり is a specific onomatopoeia describing rapid blinking caused by shock or wonder.
Can I use ぱちくり for someone who is sleepy?
Not appropriately. If someone is blinking sluggishly due to sleepiness or eye fatigue, しょぼしょぼ (shoboshobo) is the correct term to use.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010400
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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