Onomatopoeia
Japanese meaning of じりじり
Reading:
Voice sample:
じりじり (jirijiri)
English Translation:
slowly, sizzling heat
Meaning & Cultural Context
Meaning:
Describes something happening little by little (slowly advancing), or the sensation of strong, relentless heat.
日本語で読む
物事が少しずつ進む様子、または強い日差しがじりじり照りつける様子。
Cultural Context:
Used for suspenseful scenes or hot weather.
日本語で読む
じりじり詰め寄る敵、じりじり照る太陽、など漫画で多用。
Grammar & Learning Points
Grammar Point
“じりじり迫る”“じりじり暑い”など。
日本語で読む
「じりじり迫る」「じりじり暑い」など。
Trap for English Speakers
Not “jelly jelly.”
日本語で読む
“jelly”ではない。
Example
Example 1Basic Example
太陽がじりじり照りつけて暑い。
The sun was beating down relentlessly.
Example 2Applied Example
敵がじりじり距離を詰めてくるバトルシーン。
Enemy slowly closes in during a manga battle: “jirijiri...”
Quick check
Meaning
What does 「じりじり」 mean?