Entry
ぞわり
zowari
A sudden, passing chill or wave of goosebumps caused by fear, disgust, or cold.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a sudden, momentary sensation of a chill running down the spine or goosebumps breaking out on the skin. It is most often triggered by something creepy, unsettling, physically disgusting, or an unexpected gust of cold air.
- Goosebumps or chills from fear, creepiness, or disgust.
- A sudden physical chill from cold temperatures.
Sense Map
Fear & Disgust
Getting goosebumps or feeling a creeping sensation from seeing, hearing, or sensing something scary or gross.
背筋がぞわりとする
Physical Cold
A sudden bodily chill triggered by the temperature or wind.
冷気にぞわりとする
Usage Note
How to Use
ぞわりとする
Used to express that the subject (often the spine or skin) experiences a sudden chill or goosebumps.
ぞわりと + verb
Acts as an adverb describing how an action (like feeling or shivering) occurs alongside a wave of chills.
How to Use
Common Phrases
背筋がぞわりとする
a chill runs down one's spine
肌がぞわりとする
one's skin breaks out in goosebumps
首筋にぞわりとくる
to feel a chill on the back of the neck
全身がぞわりとした
got full-body chills
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Listening to a ghost story | negative | Perfectly captures the sudden wave of fear shooting down your spine. |
| Seeing a cluster of bugs | negative | Expresses the instant physical reaction of skin breaking out in goosebumps from disgust. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぞわぞわ ぞわぞわ / similar | When the creeps, chills, or goosebumps are continuous and lingering. | ぞわり highlights a single, sudden wave of a chill, whereas ゾワゾワ describes an ongoing, lingering creepy sensation. | 背中がゾワゾワする |
ぶるっと ぶるっと / similar | When physically shaking or shuddering for a brief moment. | ぞわり focuses on the internal sensation of goosebumps or a creeping chill, while ぶるっと focuses on the actual physical muscle twitch or shake. | 寒さでぶるっと震える |
そわそわ そわそわ / similar | When someone is nervously restless or fidgety because of anticipation or anxiety. | Although some dictionaries translate both as 'restlessly', ぞわり is a sensory chill/goosebump response, while そわそわ is an inability to stay physically still due to nervousness. | 落ち着かずにそわそわする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to mean 'restless' in the sense of nervous pacing.
For nervous fidgeting, use そわそわ (sowasowa). ぞわり strictly means experiencing chills or goosebumps.
Using it for a prolonged feeling of fear.
The '-ri' ending means it's a momentary flash. For a continuous creepy feeling, use ゾワゾワ (zowazowa).
Examples
Examples
暗い道で後ろから足音が聞こえて、背筋がぞわりとした。
くらい みちで うしろから あしおとが きこえて、せすじが ぞわりとした。
Hearing footsteps from behind on a dark road, a sudden chill ran down my spine.
FigurativeShows the psychological chill caused by fear.
その不気味な人形を見た瞬間、肌がぞわりとした。
その ぶきみな にんぎょうを みた しゅんかん、はだが ぞわりとした。
The moment I saw that creepy doll, my skin broke out in goosebumps.
LiteralA direct physical reaction (goosebumps) to something creepy.
冷たい風が吹き抜けて、首筋にぞわりと感じた。
つめたい かぜが ふきぬけて、くびすじに ぞわりと かんじた。
A cold wind blew through, and I felt a sudden chill on the back of my neck.
LiteralDescribes the chill caused by a physical change in temperature.
大きな虫が這っているのを見て、全身がぞわりとした。
おおきな むしが はっているのを みて、ぜんしんが ぞわりとした。
Seeing a large bug crawling around gave my whole body the chills out of disgust.
LiteralShows the full-body chills that arise from physical disgust.
彼の冷たい視線に、思わずぞわりと身震いした。
かれの つめたい しせんに、おもわず ぞわりと みぶるいした。
Under his cold gaze, I involuntarily shivered with a sudden chill.
FigurativeDescribes the chill response to an aggressive or cold attitude from a person.
Similar Words
ゾワゾワ
zowazowa
ゾワゾワ describes the physical or psychological sensation of getting goosebumps, shivering, or feeling creeped out. ぞわり is a sudden flash of chills, while ゾワゾワ is a continuous creeping feeling.
そわそわ
sowasowa
A state of being restless, fidgety, or unable to calm down due to anticipation, nervousness, or excitement. そわそわ means nervous restlessness, not getting the chills.
ぶるっと
burutto
A sudden, brief, and involuntary shudder or shiver, usually caused by cold, fear, or disgust. ぶるっと focuses more on the physical, visible muscle shudder.
Questions
Does ぞわり describe visible physical shaking?
Not primarily. It describes the internal sensory wave of a chill or skin getting goosebumps. For a visible, physical shudder, ぶるっと is better.
Can I use ぞわり when I am excited or moved to tears?
No. It is exclusively used for negative or uncomfortable feelings like fear, disgust, or sudden cold.
What does the '-ri' ending signify?
In Japanese mimetics, words ending in '-ri' usually indicate a sudden, single, and momentary change in state, as opposed to repeated or ongoing states.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2852931
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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