じっと

adverb

still, motionlessly, fixedly

1. still, motionlessly

Remaining in one position without moving. Implies patience or endurance.

じっと立(た)っていました。

I stood still.

じっとしていて。

Stay still.

子供(こども)がじっと座(すわ)っているのは難(むずか)しい。

It's hard for children to sit still.

2. fixedly, intently

Looking at something without looking away. Staring or gazing.

彼女(かのじょ)をじっと見(み)ていました。

I was staring at her intently.

猫(ねこ)が鳥(とり)をじっと見(み)つめている。

The cat is staring intently at the bird.

先生(せんせい)の顔(かお)をじっと見(み)て話(はなし)を聞(き)いた。

I looked intently at the teacher's face and listened.

3. patiently, quietly

Enduring a situation without complaint or action.

痛(いた)みをじっと我慢(がまん)した。

I endured the pain patiently.

彼(かれ)はじっと考(かんが)えていた。

He was thinking quietly.

結果(けっか)が出(で)るまでじっと待(ま)つしかない。

There's nothing to do but wait patiently until the results come out.

じっと describes stillness, fixedness, or patient endurance. Placed directly before the verb it modifies.

THREE CORE USES:
1. Physical stillness: じっとしている (stay still)
2. Fixed gaze: じっと見(み)る (stare intently)
3. Patient endurance: じっと我慢(がまん)する (endure patiently)

COMMON PATTERNS:

じっと見(み)る / じっと見(み)つめる: stare at, gaze at
じっと待(ま)つ: wait patiently
じっと我慢(がまん)する: endure patiently
じっとしている: stay still, remain motionless

SIMILAR WORDS:

じっくり: carefully, thoroughly (emphasizes taking time to do something well)
じっと: emphasizes stillness, fixedness, or endurance

Related Words

Contrast: じっくり (carefully, thoroughly)

general

Added 2026.1.9 20:41 · Revised 2026.4.6 13:02

01500/01571_jitto