ぴりぴり
ぴりぴり
adverb, mimetic
tingling; prickly; tense
1.
tingling; prickly; stinging
A physical sensation of tingling, burning, or numbness, often from spicy food or electrical stimulation.
唐辛子で舌がぴりぴりする。
My tongue is tingling from the chili pepper.
2.
tense; on edge; nervous
An atmosphere or state where everyone is nervous, irritable, or on high alert.
締め切り前で職場がぴりぴりしている。
The workplace is tense because of the deadline.
彼は最近ぴりぴりしている。
He's been on edge lately.
ONOMATOPOEIA TYPE:
Giseigo/gitaigo - mimetic word expressing physical sensation and emotional state.
USAGE:
Sense 1 (physical) is used for:
- Spicy food sensations
- Electric tingles
- Numbness returning
Sense 2 (emotional) is used for:
- Tense atmospheres
- Irritable people
- High-pressure situations
COMMON PATTERNS:
- ぴりぴりする (to tingle; to be tense)
- ぴりぴりした空気 (tense atmosphere)
- ぴりぴり辛い (stingingly spicy)
RELATED MIMETICS:
- ひりひり - burning, stinging (pain sensation)
- びりびり - electric shock, numbness
- いらいら - irritated, impatient
REGISTER:
Casual. Common in everyday conversation.