Japanese meaning of じりじり
Reading:
じりじり (jirijiri)
English Translation:
scorching, sizzling heat
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Describes the relentless, burning feeling of the sun or slowly advancing heat.
Cultural Context:
Common for hot summer days or tense “closing in” scenes in manga.
強い日差しがじりじりと照りつける様子。
夏の暑さ、バトルのじりじり詰め寄る表現など。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
Used as “じりじり + verb”; often “照る”: じりじり照る (“to blaze down”), can also use “する”: じりじりする.
Trap for English Speakers
Not “jelly jelly.”
Example
Basic Example
じりじりと日差しが暑い。
The sun’s rays are scorching.
Applied Example
敵がじりじり距離を詰めてくるバトル。
Enemy slowly closing in during a manga battle.