ちらちら
ちらちら
adverb, mimetic
flickering; glancing; in small pieces
1.
flickering; twinkling; flashing
Describes light or small objects appearing and disappearing repeatedly in an unstable, intermittent way.
星がちらちら光っている。
The stars are twinkling.
ろうそくの火がちらちら揺れている。
The candle flame is flickering.
木の葉の間から日の光がちらちら見えた。
Sunlight flickered through the gaps in the leaves.
2.
glancing; stealing looks; peeking
Looking at something repeatedly but briefly, often in a furtive manner.
ちらちら見るな。
Stop glancing over here.
彼女は彼のことをちらちら見ていた。
She kept stealing glances at him.
授業中、隣の席の子がちらちらこちらを見てきた。
During class, the kid in the next seat kept glancing my way.
3.
in small pieces; lightly
Falling or appearing in small, sparse amounts (like light snow).
雪がちらちら降ってきた。
Snow started to fall lightly.
桜の花びらがちらちら散っている。
Cherry blossom petals are drifting down in small flurries.
朝からちらちら雪が降っていたが、午後には止んだ。
Light snow was falling since morning, but it stopped in the afternoon.
ONOMATOPOEIA TYPE:
Giseigo/gitaigo - mimetic word expressing manner of action.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ちらちら光る - to flicker/twinkle
- ちらちら見る - to steal glances
- 雪がちらちら降る - snow falls in light flurries
- ちらちら見える - to be barely visible, to catch glimpses of
RELATED MIMETICS:
- きらきら - sparkling, glittering (more steady, beautiful light)
- ぴかぴか - shiny, gleaming (solid brightness)
- じろじろ - staring (prolonged, often rude)
NUANCE:
ちらちら suggests intermittent, unstable, or furtive action - not continuous or steady.
REGISTER:
Neutral. Common in everyday conversation.