ぎらぎら

ぎらぎら
adverb
glaring; dazzling (harshly)
1. glaring; dazzling; blindingly bright
Describes intense, harsh brightness that is uncomfortable to look at.
夏(なつ)の太陽(たいよう)がぎらぎら照(て)りつける。
The summer sun is blazing down harshly.
ぎらぎら光(ひか)るネオンサイン。
Glaringly bright neon signs.
アスファルトにぎらぎら日差(ひざ)しが照(て)り返(かえ)す。
The sunlight glares off the asphalt.
2. greedy; hungry (eyes)
Describes eyes that show intense desire or greed.
ぎらぎらした目(め)で見(み)ていた。
He was watching with greedy eyes.
ぎらぎらした野心(やしん)を持(も)っている。
He has burning ambition.
彼(かれ)はぎらぎらした目(め)で獲物(えもの)を見(み)つめた。
He stared at the prey with hungry eyes.

ぎらぎら is an onomatopoeic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) expressing harsh, uncomfortable brightness or intense, unsettling desire.

Sense 1 (glaring): Describes light that is painfully bright — the summer sun beating down, neon signs, light reflecting off metal or asphalt. Always has a negative or overwhelming connotation.

Sense 2 (greedy eyes): Describes eyes burning with desire, ambition, or predatory intent.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ぎらぎら光(ひか)る: to glare harshly
  • ぎらぎら照(て)りつける: to blaze down (sun)
  • ぎらぎらした目(め): greedy/hungry eyes
  • ぎらぎらした野心(やしん): burning ambition

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • きらきら: sparkling, glittering (pleasant, beautiful)
  • ぴかぴか: shiny (clean, polished surface)
  • てかてか: glossy, oily (surface sheen)
  • まぶしい: dazzling, too bright (adjective)

Related Words

Contrast: きらきら (sparkling (pleasant))
Related: ぴかぴか (shiny, sparkling clean)
Related: てかてか (shiny, glossy)
Related: まぶしい (dazzling (adjective))
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.4.14 12:22
05000/05359_giragira