ちょろちょろ
ちょろちょろ
adverb
trickling, in a trickle; scurrying about
1.
trickling, in a trickle
Describes a small amount of water flowing continuously in a thin stream.
蛇口から水がちょろちょろ流れている。
Water is trickling from the faucet.
小川がちょろちょろと音を立てて流れている。
The stream flows with a trickling sound.
庭の水道がちょろちょろとしか出ない。
The garden faucet only produces a trickle.
2.
scurrying about, darting around
Describes small creatures or children moving quickly in various directions.
子供たちがちょろちょろ走り回っている。
The children are scurrying about.
ネズミがちょろちょろと逃げていった。
The mouse scurried away.
子猫が足元をちょろちょろしていて危ない。
The kitten is darting around my feet and it's dangerous.
SOUND SYMBOLISM: The repeated ちょろ sounds evoke the image of something small moving or flowing in quick, light movements.
VERB FORMS:
- ちょろちょろ流れる (to trickle)
- ちょろちょろ動く (to scurry around)
- ちょろちょろする (to dart about - often annoying)
NUANCE: When describing children or animals moving around, can imply slight annoyance at the restless movement.
SIMILAR WORDS:
- さらさら: Flowing smoothly (larger volume, pleasant)
- ぽたぽた: Dripping (drops rather than stream)
- ちょこちょこ: Moving in small quick steps (often for children)