Entry
ピラピラ
pirapira
ピラピラ (pirapira) describes the light, continuous fluttering or waving motion of thin, lightweight materials like paper or cloth.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures the movement of small, light things catching the wind. Unlike heavy materials, pira-pira emphasizes thinness and lack of weight. It can also describe objects that have frills or materials that feel overly thin and flimsy.
- fluttering movement of paper
- thin waving cloth or frills
Sense Map
Fluttering of Thin Materials
The light fluttering or waving motion of thin items like paper, plastic, or ribbons.
紙がピラピラと舞う。
Thinness / Frills
Refers to the physical state of being very thin (sometimes flimsy) or having small fluttering frills.
ピラピラした袖。
Usage Note
How to Use
ピラピラ（と）+ verb
Used as an adverb to describe how something flutters or waves.
ピラピラする
Used as a verb to indicate that something is fluttering or is notably thin and flimsy.
ピラピラの + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as thin, fluttering, or frilly.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ピラピラと舞う
to flutter about
裾がピラピラする
the hem flutters
ピラピラの紙
very thin paper
ピラピラめくれる
to flap open in the wind
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Paper or plastic in the wind | neutral | Focuses on the physical lightness of the movement. |
| Clothing materials | negative | Implies the material is too thin, cheap, or flimsy. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
びらびら びらびら / opposite | Used for thicker, wider, or heavier materials fluttering. | Not for light, paper-thin objects. | 厚手のカーテンがびらびらする。 |
ひらひら ひらひら / similar | Used for more elegant, gentle fluttering like flower petals or dresses. | Not for the quick, dry fluttering of paper. | 花びらがひらひら落ちる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for falling cherry blossoms.
Use ひらひら (hirahira) for elegant fluttering like petals.
Using it to describe speaking fluently.
Use ペラペラ (perapera) for speaking fluently; pira-pira is for physical fluttering.
Examples
Examples
風でポスターの端がピラピラとめくれている。
かぜでポスターのはしがピラピラとめくれている。
The edge of the poster is fluttering in the wind.
VisualShows the fluttering movement of a thin object.
彼女のスカートにはピラピラした飾りがついている。
かのじょのスカートにはピラピラしたかざりがついている。
Her skirt has light fluttering frills on it.
VisualRefers to easily fluttering decorations or frills.
チケットの半券が手の中でピラピラしている。
チケットのはんけんがてのなかでピラピラしている。
The ticket stub is fluttering in my hand.
VisualEmphasizes a small, light object catching the wind.
メモ用紙が風に乗ってピラピラと飛んでいった。
メモようしがかぜにのってピラピラととんでいった。
The memo paper caught the wind and fluttered away.
VisualDescribes a light piece of paper flying in the wind.
薄くてピラピラの紙にメモを書いた。
うすくてピラピラのかみにメモをかいた。
I wrote a memo on a thin, flimsy piece of paper.
VisualEmphasizes the very thin nature of the material.
Similar Words
びらびら
birabira
Describes the fluttering, flapping, or dangling movement of relatively thick or heavy materials like cloth, tarps, or cardboard. For thicker, heavier materials.
ひらひら
hirahira
Hirahira describes the light, gentle fluttering or flapping motion of thin objects like petals or cloth in the wind, or refers to frilly designs. For slower, more graceful fluttering.
ペラペラ
perapera
Speaking a foreign language fluently, or referring to something that is very thin and flimsy.
Questions
What is the difference between pira-pira and hira-hira?
Hira-hira is slower, softer, and more elegant (e.g., petals). Pira-pira is for thinner, lighter things like small pieces of paper or cheap plastic.
Can pira-pira mean 'fluent in a language'?
No. 'Fluent' is ペラペラ (perapera). Pira-pira only describes the physical fluttering of thin materials.
Does pira-pira always have a negative meaning?
Not always. It's neutral when describing paper fluttering, but can be negative if used to describe a shirt as 'thin and flimsy'.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2736210
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- さらっと (saratto)
- Next entry
- ペッ (pe)