Entry
ぺろっと
perotto
ぺろっと describes doing something swiftly and completely, such as gobbling up food, briefly sticking out a tongue, or peeling a sticker off cleanly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures actions that are completed in a single, smooth motion without resistance. It is most commonly used for eating a large amount of food effortlessly, briefly sticking out one's tongue, peeling a label off cleanly in one piece, or completely forgetting something as if it never mattered.
- eating up quickly
- sticking out tongue
- peeling off cleanly
- forgetting completely
Sense Map
Eating quickly
To eat all of one's food easily, effortlessly, and in no time, often despite the portion being large.
ケーキをぺろっと食べる
Licking / Tongue
To briefly stick out one's tongue, often in a cheeky, playful, or embarrassed manner, or to quickly lick something.
舌をぺろっと出す
Peeling cleanly
To peel something off, like a sticker or tape, smoothly and cleanly in one go without it tearing.
シールをぺろっと剥がす
Completely forgetting
To completely slip one's mind, acting as if something never happened or was completely forgotten.
約束をぺろっと忘れる
Usage Note
How to Use
ぺろっと + Verb
Used directly before verbs to describe how an action was done effortlessly or cleanly.
ぺろっと + 食べる
Specifically used before eating verbs to mean finishing everything quickly and easily.
ぺろっと + 剥がれる
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぺろっと食べる
eat up effortlessly
舌をぺろっと出す
stick out one's tongue briefly
ぺろっと剥がれる
peel off smoothly
ぺろっと忘れる
forget completely
ぺろっと平らげる
devour completely
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Eating a large meal | Positive | Shows a healthy appetite and finishing food completely without effort. |
| Sticking out tongue | Neutral | Can look playful, cheeky, or slightly embarrassed. |
| Peeling tape or labels | Positive | Implies satisfaction that it came off cleanly without tearing or leaving sticky residue. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぺろり ぺろり / similar | Used interchangeably with ぺろっと for eating food quickly or sticking out the tongue. | ペロリ is often slightly more focused on the state of completion or the visual image, while ぺろっと strongly emphasizes the swift, effortless action itself. | ペロリと食べる |
けろっと けろっと / similar | Used when someone acts entirely unaffected, as if nothing happened, or completely forgets something. | けろっと focuses on a person's nonchalant attitude, whereas the forgetting usage of ぺろっと focuses on the complete disappearance of the memory. ぺろっと is also used for physical actions. | けろっとしている |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぺろっと to mean 'fast' in general situations, like running or driving.
ぺろっと only applies to specific actions: eating effortlessly, licking, peeling smoothly, or completely forgetting. It does not mean 'speedy' in a physical travel sense.
Confusing ぺろっと with ぺらっと.
ぺろっと is for eating, licking, or peeling thick stickers. ぺらっと is for flipping thin pages or flimsy materials.
Examples
Examples
ケーキをぺろっと食べてしまった。
ケーキをぺろっとたべてしまった。
I gobbled up the cake effortlessly.
LiteralShows finishing the food completely and quickly.
彼は照れ隠しに舌をぺろっと出した。
かれはてれかくしにしたをぺろっとだした。
He briefly stuck out his tongue to hide his embarrassment.
VisualA quick and short movement of the tongue.
値札のシールがぺろっと剥がれた。
ねふだのシールがぺろっとはがれた。
The price tag sticker peeled off cleanly.
VisualPeeling off in one go without leaving any sticky residue.
息子は大盛りのご飯をぺろっと平らげた。
むすこはおおもりのごはんをぺろっとたいらげた。
My son easily polished off a large bowl of rice.
LiteralOften used with the verb 'tairageru' (to polish off/devour).
大切な約束をぺろっと忘れていた。
たいせつなやくそくをぺろっとわすれていた。
I completely forgot about the important promise.
FigurativeDescribes a memory that completely slipped one's mind.
Similar Words
ペロリ
perori
Describes completing an action swiftly and easily, such as eating an entire meal quickly or peeling something off cleanly. Used for similar actions of eating or sticking out the tongue.
けろっと
kerotto
けろっと describes a sudden, complete shift to a normal state, such as recovering fully from illness, forgetting entirely, or acting nonchalantly. Shares the nuance of forgetting something or acting completely unaffected.
Questions
Can I use ぺろっと for drinking?
No, it's generally used for eating solid food. For drinking a liquid in one gulp, 'ぐいっと' (guitto) is better.
Is ぺろっと polite?
It is a casual, conversational word. In very formal situations, it's better to use standard adverbs like 'すぐに' (sugu ni).
What is the difference between ぺろっと and ぺろぺろ?
ぺろっと refers to a single, quick action (licking once). 'ぺろぺろ' (peropero) is a continuous or repeated licking action.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009690
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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