きりきり

きりきり
adverb
sharp pain; tightly wound
1. with sharp, piercing pain
Describes a stabbing or grinding pain, especially in the stomach.
ストレスで()がきりきり(いた)む。
My stomach hurts with a sharp pain from stress.
きりきりと(あたま)(いた)い。
I have a piercing headache.
2. tightly; to the limit
Describes something wound, tied, or stretched very tight.
ネジをきりきりと()める。
Tighten the screw as tight as possible.
スケジュールがきりきりで余裕(よゆう)がない。
The schedule is so tight there's no room to spare.

TYPE: Mimetic word (giongo/gitaigo) representing sound or sensation.

SENSE 1 - PAIN:

  • Describes sharp, stabbing pain
  • Often associated with stomach (()) or head ((あたま))
  • きりきりと(いた)む is the most common pattern
  • Suggests stress-related pain

SENSE 2 - TIGHTNESS:

  • Suggests extreme tightness or tension
  • Can refer to physical tightness (rope, screw) or metaphorical (schedule, budget)
  • きりきり()い: being extremely busy, spinning around

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • ()がきりきり(いた)む (stomach has sharp pains)
  • きりきり()いする (to be run off one's feet)
  • きりきり()める (to tighten completely)

SIMILAR PAIN EXPRESSIONS:

  • ずきずき: throbbing pain
  • ちくちく: pricking pain
  • しくしく: dull aching pain