Translation guide
The English word 'flick' can refer to a quick light hit, a sudden movement, or a quick look. This guide covers natural Japanese ways to express these actions.
To hit something lightly and quickly, often with a finger or fingernail.
The most common verb for flicking something with a finger, like flicking a marble or a bug off a table.
彼は指でビー玉を弾いた。
He flicked the marble with his finger.
机の上のゴミを弾いて落とした。
I flicked the dust off the desk.
Often used for a light slapping or flicking motion, like swatting a fly or dusting off something.
ハエを手ではたいた。
I flicked the fly away with my hand.
Explicitly says 'flick with a finger', useful when the tool is important.
指で弾いてホコリを取った。
I flicked off the dust with my finger.
To move something quickly and sharply, like flicking a switch or a whip.
A general phrase meaning 'to move quickly/sharply', often used for flicking a switch or a hand.
彼はスイッチをさっと動かした。
He flicked the switch.
Means 'to wave/shake', used for flicking a whip or a towel.
彼はムチを振った。
He flicked the whip.
Emphasizes a sudden, sharp movement, like flicking a card or a piece of paper.
カードをパッと動かして見せた。
He flicked the card to show it.
To look at something quickly, often by moving the eyes or head sharply.
The most common way to say 'take a quick look/glance', often used for a brief, casual look.
彼は時計をちらっと見た。
He flicked a glance at his watch.
A casual/slang term for a quick, often sneaky glance.
彼女は隣の人の答案をチラ見した。
She flicked a look at her neighbor's test paper.
Literally 'run one's eyes', used for scanning or flicking through a document quickly.
彼は書類に目を走らせた。
He flicked through the document.
To turn pages quickly, often to get a rough idea of the content.
The standard onomatopoeic verb for flipping/flicking through pages.
雑誌をパラパラめくった。
I flicked through the magazine.
Means 'to skim/look over quickly', focusing on the action of checking content rather than the physical page turning.
レポートにざっと目を通した。
I flicked through the report.
弾く (はじく) is specifically a flicking motion with a finger, often using the nail. はたく is a broader light slapping or brushing motion, like swatting a fly or dusting off clothes. Use 弾く for a precise flick, and はたく for a more open-handed light hit.
The loanword フリック (furikku) is used in tech contexts (e.g., flick input on a smartphone) and is not natural for physical flicking actions. Use native Japanese verbs instead.