ちらり
ちらり
adverb
briefly; fleetingly; for a moment
1.
briefly; fleetingly; for a moment; with a glance
Describes something appearing or being seen only briefly or fleetingly, often implying a quick, partial glimpse rather than a full view.
ちらりと見る。
To glance briefly.
雲の間から月がちらりと見えた。
The moon peeked briefly through a gap in the clouds.
彼は時計をちらりと見てから、席を立った。
He glanced at his watch and then got up from his seat.
A mimetic adverb (onomatopoeia/擬態語) describing a quick, fleeting glimpse or appearance. Almost always followed by the particle と when modifying a verb.
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- ちらりと見る: to glance at
- ちらりと見える: to be briefly visible
- ちらりと覗く: to take a quick peek
- ちらりと目をやる: to cast a quick glance
SIMILAR WORDS:
- ちらっと: same meaning but slightly more casual and conversational
- ちらちら: repeated or continuous flickering/fluttering (e.g., snow falling, lights flickering)
- じろじろ: staring intently — the opposite nuance, implying a rude or prolonged gaze
NUANCE:
Implies the action is quick, discreet, and often intentionally brief. Can suggest that the viewer does not want to be noticed looking, or that the object of sight appeared only momentarily.