Entry
ぴりり
piriri
ぴりり describes a sharp, stinging, or tingling sensation felt on the skin or tongue.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to express the sharp, pungent bite of spices on the tongue, a brief stinging sensation on the skin from cold or pain, or a tense atmosphere and biting words.
- Pungent spice
- Skin tingling
- Tense atmosphere
Sense Map
Pungent Spice
The sharp, tingling spice bite from peppers or sansho on the tongue.
胡椒がぴりりと効く。
Skin Stinging
A brief, sharp stinging or tingling sensation on the surface of the skin, often from cold.
頬がぴりりとする。
Tense Atmosphere
A tense, serious atmosphere, or a sharp, biting remark.
空気がぴりりとする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぴりりとする
Used as a verb to express the state of skin tingling, tongue burning with spice, or a tense atmosphere.
ぴりりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying an action with a sharp or pungent effect (e.g., 'ぴりりと効く' - takes effect sharply).
ぴりりとした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe it as having a sharp or stinging quality (e.g., a sharp remark).
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぴりりと辛い
pungently spicy
ぴりりと効く
to have a sharp, spicy kick
舌がぴりりとする
tongue tingles
空気がぴりりとする
atmosphere is tense
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food and spices | positive/neutral | Describes the pungent, stimulating bite of spices on the tongue, often considered appetizing. |
| Physical sensation | neutral | Refers to a brief, sharp stinging sensation on the skin, like from cold wind, which is temporary. |
| Atmosphere or words | neutral/negative | Implies a tense, serious atmosphere or a sharp, biting remark that hits the mark. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひりひり ひりひり / similar | For a continuous, superficial stinging pain from burns, sunburns, or scrapes. | ぴりり focuses on a brief, sharp prickling sensation or the appetizing pungent bite of spices. | 日焼けで背中がヒリヒリする。 |
ぴりっと ぴりっと / similar | For a sudden, sharp sting or a very momentary spicy kick. Extremely common in everyday conversation. | ぴりり means essentially the same thing, but it can have a slightly more traditional, lingering, or literary nuance. | ピリッと辛い生姜。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぴりり for deep pain or severe burns.
ぴりり is only for superficial, sharp, and brief stings. For painful burns, use ヒリヒリ (hirihiri).
Applying ぴりり to all types of hot, spicy food that burns the whole mouth.
ぴりり is best for the sharp, tingling bite of localized spices like black pepper or sansho, rather than a broad chili heat.
Examples
Examples
舌がぴりりとする。
した が ぴりり と する。
My tongue is tingling.
LiteralDescribes the tingling sensation on the tongue from spicy food.
冷たい風で頬がぴりりとする。
つめたい かぜ で ほお が ぴりり と する。
My cheeks sting from the cold wind.
LiteralUsed for the sharp, stinging pain caused by cold air.
このスープは胡椒がぴりりと効いている。
この すーぷ は こしょう が ぴりり と きいて いる。
This soup has a sharp pepper kick.
LiteralIndicates that the spice flavor is highly noticeable and sharp.
緊張感で現場の空気がぴりりとする。
きんちょうかん で げんば の くうき が ぴりり と する。
The atmosphere at the scene tingles with tension.
FigurativeDescribes a highly serious or tense atmosphere.
山椒は小粒でもぴりりと辛い。
さんしょう は こつぶ でも ぴりり と からい。
Sansho pepper is small but pungently spicy.
FigurativeA proverb meaning that even though someone is small, they have a sharp ability or character and cannot be underestimated.
Similar Words
ピリッと
piritto
ピリッと describes a sudden, sharp, and brief stinging or tingling sensation, such as a spicy kick, a mild electric shock, or a suddenly tense atmosphere. A more common everyday variant.
ヒリヒリ
hirihiri
Describes a continuous, superficial stinging or burning sensation, typically on the skin or tongue. Used for a continuous stinging or burning pain.
ちくり
chikuri
ちくり describes a momentary, sharp prickling or stinging sensation, and is metaphorically used for making biting remarks or tattling on someone.
Questions
Can ぴりり be used for chili pepper heat?
It can, but it is much more natural for the sharp, tingling spice of black pepper, ginger, or sansho. For a mouth-burning chili heat, words like ヒリヒリ (hirihiri) are better.
What is the difference between ぴりり and ピリッと?
They share the same core meaning. However, ぴりり is often used in proverbs or written text, feeling a bit more traditional, while ピリッと is extremely common in casual daily conversation.
Does ぴりり always refer to pain?
No. In the context of food, it describes an appetizing, sharp spicy kick. It can also describe a tense atmosphere that sharpens focus.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2642500
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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