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.
(した)がぴりぴりする。
My tongue is tingling.
唐辛子(とうがらし)(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(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.
(かれ)最近(さいきん)ぴりぴりしている。
He's been on edge lately.
()()(まえ)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)(まえ)はぴりぴりした空気(くうき)(ただよ)っていた。
Before the match, a tense atmosphere hung in the air.

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(くうき) (tense atmosphere)
  • ぴりぴり(から)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.