ぴりぴり

ぴりぴり
adverb, onomatopoeia
tingling; prickly; tense
informaldescriptiveonomatopoeia
1. tingling; prickly; stinging
A physical sensation of tingling, burning, or numbness, often from spicy food or electrical stimulation.
舌(した)がぴりぴりする。
My tongue is tingling.
唐辛子(とうがらし)で舌(した)がぴりぴりする。
My tongue is tingling from the chili pepper.
この料理(りょうり)はぴりぴり辛(から)くておいしい。
This dish has a nice spicy tingle to it.
2. tense; on edge; nervous
An atmosphere or state where everyone is nervous, irritable, or on high alert.
彼(かれ)は最近(さいきん)ぴりぴりしている。
He's been on edge lately.
締(し)め切(き)り前(まえ)で職場(しょくば)がぴりぴりしている。
The workplace is tense because of the deadline.
試合(しあい)の前(まえ)はぴりぴりした空気(くうき)が漂(ただよ)っていた。
Before the match, a tense atmosphere hung in the air.

Usage

Mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) describing a stinging sensation or nervous tension.
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

Related words

  • 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.

Related Words

Related: ひりひり (burning, stinging)
Related: いらいら (irritated, impatient)
general
Added 2026.1.19 16:25 · Revised 2026.10.7 9:25
07000/07409_piripiri