Entry
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.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word captures physical or abstract sensations that are sharp, sudden, and quick to pass. It is highly common for describing the pungent, biting heat of spices like pepper or mustard, the brief sting of an antiseptic or static electricity, and a sudden shift to a strict, tense, or highly focused mood.
- Sharp spicy taste
- Brief stinging pain
- Tense atmosphere
Sense Map
Spicy Taste
A sharp, sudden spicy or pungent flavor, like chili or mustard.
胡椒がピリッと効いている
Stinging Pain
A brief, sharp stinging physical sensation or a mild electric shock.
静電気で指がピリッとする
Tense Atmosphere
A tense, strict atmosphere or a sharp remark.
場の空気がピリッとする
Usage Note
How to Use
ピリッとする
Uses the verb suru to express that something causes a stinging, spicy, or tense sensation.
ピリッとした + noun
Uses the past form shita to modify a noun, such as a sharp flavor (taste) or a tense mood (atmosphere).
ピリッと + verb
Functions as an adverb describing how an action occurs sharply, effectively, or with a sudden sting.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ピリッとする痛み
brief stinging pain
スパイスがピリッと効く
spices have a sharp kick
ピリッとした雰囲気
tense atmosphere
空気がピリッとする
the air becomes tense
ピリッと辛い
sharply spicy
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food and Spices | positive | It often highlights a desirable spicy kick that enhances the flavor of a dish without making it painfully hot. |
| Atmosphere and Social Dynamics | neutral | Describes a sudden shift to a serious, tense, or highly focused atmosphere, often initiated by a strict remark. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ひりひり ひりひり / nearby | Use for a lingering pain or spice that stays on the skin or tongue, such as a sunburn. | ヒリヒリ is used for continuous, lingering burning or stinging, while ピリッと is a brief, sharp sensation. | 日焼けして肌がヒリヒリする。 |
ちくちく ちくちく / nearby | Use when the skin feels itchy from rough wool clothing or when pricked by tiny thorns. | チクチク feels like being pricked by many tiny needles, whereas ピリッと is more like a single sharp shock or spicy bite. | セーターがチクチクする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ピリッと to describe a long-lasting sunburn or severe burn injury.
This word is only for brief, transient sensations like a static shock or spicy bite. Use ヒリヒリ for lingering sunburn pain.
Using it to describe food that is strongly flavored but not pungent or spicy.
It specifically describes the sharp, pungent kick of spices like pepper, mustard, or chili, not just a strong or salty taste.
Examples
Examples
このスープは胡椒がピリッと効いていて美味しい。
この スープは こしょうが ピリッと きいていて おいしい。
This soup is delicious with a sharp kick of black pepper.
LiteralDescribes the pleasant, sharp bite of pepper in a dish.
ドアの取っ手を触ったら、静電気で指がピリッとした。
ドアの とってを さわったら、せいでんきで ゆびが ピリッとした。
When I touched the door handle, my finger got a mild static shock.
LiteralDescribes the brief, sudden pain of static electricity.
転んで擦りむいた膝が、消毒液でピリッと痛む。
ころんで すりむいた ひざが、しょうどくえきで ピリッと いたむ。
My scraped knee stung sharply from the antiseptic.
LiteralDescribes a short, sharp stinging sensation on a wound.
監督の一言で、チームの空気がピリッとした。
かんとくの ひとことで、チームの くうきが ピリッとした。
The coach's single remark made the team's atmosphere tense and focused.
FigurativeExpresses a sudden shift to a serious, disciplined environment.
味が少し薄いので、唐辛子を入れて味をピリッとさせよう。
あじが すこし うすいので、とうがらしを いれて あじを ピリッと させよう。
The flavor is a bit weak, so let's add some chili to give it a sharp kick.
LiteralDescribes adding spice to give a dish more impact.
Similar Words
ヒリヒリ
hirihiri
Describes a continuous, superficial stinging or burning sensation, typically on the skin or tongue. Used for a continuous lingering pain or burning sensation.
チクチク
chikuchiku
チクチク (chikuchiku) describes a repeated, superficial prickling or stinging sensation, or biting remarks that emotionally sting. Used for a prickling sensation like tiny needles.
Questions
What is the difference between 辛い (karai) and ピリッと?
Karai is the standard adjective for spicy. Piri-tto specifically highlights the sharp, brief sting or 'bite' produced by pepper or chili.
Can I use this word for burn injuries?
No, it is not suitable for continuous pain like burns. For burns, use hirihiri. Piri-tto is for brief, sudden stings like a static shock.
What does it mean when a room's atmosphere is described as ピリッとした?
It means the mood has suddenly become tense, serious, and focused, usually because an authority figure is present or someone made a sharp remark.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2080600
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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