きょろつく

きょろつく
verb (godan)
to look around restlessly; to glance about
1. to look around restlessly; to glance about nervously
To look around repeatedly in different directions, often suggesting nervousness, unfamiliarity with surroundings, or searching for something.
(かれ)はきょろつきながら(ある)いていた。
He was walking while looking around restlessly.
(はじ)めての場所(ばしょ)でつい きょろつくしてしまう。
I can't help looking around when I'm in a new place.
()どもたちは(めずら)しそうにきょろつきながら、博物館(はくぶつかん)(なか)(ある)いた。
The children walked through the museum, looking around with curiosity.

USAGE:
きょろつく is related to きょろきょろ (an onomatopoeia for looking around). It describes the action of glancing around restlessly or nervously, and often implies the person looks unfamiliar with their surroundings or is searching for something.

COMMON COLLOCATIONS:

  • きょろつきながら(ある)く (to walk while looking around)
  • きょろつく() (restless eyes)

RELATED:

  • きょろきょろする — to look around (more common, similar meaning)
  • きょろきょろ見回(みまわ)す — to look all around