みるみる

adverb

rapidly; visibly; before one's eyes

1. rapidly, visibly, before one's eyes, in no time

Describes a change happening so quickly that one can see it progressing in real time. Emphasizes the visual aspect of witnessing a rapid transformation.

空(そら)がみるみる暗(くら)くなった。

The sky darkened rapidly before our eyes.

水(みず)がみるみるうちに増(ふ)えていった。

The water rose visibly in no time.

新薬(しんやく)を飲(の)んだら、症状(しょうじょう)がみるみる改善(かいぜん)して驚(おどろ)いた。

After taking the new medicine, the symptoms improved so rapidly that I was amazed.

Formed by repeating the verb 見(み)る (to see), literally meaning "while watching" or "as one watches." The reduplication conveys the sense that the change is fast enough to be witnessed happening in real time.

Usage

Often used with the particle うちに in the form みるみるうちに, which emphasizes that the change occurs "while one is watching." Both みるみる and みるみるうちに are interchangeable. Typically used with verbs of change.

Common collocations

みるみるうちに: in the blink of an eye, before one's very eyes
みるみる変(か)わる: to change rapidly
みるみる大(おお)きくなる: to grow quickly
みるみる上達(じょうたつ)する: to improve rapidly

Similar words

たちまち: immediately, in no time — emphasizes the speed of completion rather than watching it happen
あっという間(ま)に: in the blink of an eye — idiomatic expression for extremely fast
急速(きゅうそく)に: rapidly — more formal and neutral, lacking the visual nuance

Related Words

Compare: たちまち (immediately, in no time)

Compare: あっという間(ま)に (in the blink of an eye)

Compare: 急速(きゅうそく)に (rapidly)

Compare: 瞬(またた)く間(ま)に (in the blink of an eye)

general

Added 2026.4.2 13:09 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02

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