Translation guide
Describes light or flame that is unsteady, wavering, or flashing on and off rapidly. Also used metaphorically for emotions or expressions that appear briefly.
Describing a light source that wavers, trembles, or goes on and off rapidly.
Describing an emotion, smile, or thought that appears briefly and then disappears.
Adverb meaning 'for a moment' or 'fleetingly', often used with verbs like 見える or 浮かぶ.
彼女の顔に不安の色がちらりと浮かんだ。
A flicker of anxiety crossed her face.
Describing a screen or display that is unstable, with rapid changes in brightness or image.
ちらちら is a gentle, wavering flicker (candle, twinkle). チカチカ is a rapid, often irritating on-off flicker (faulty fluorescent light). ちらつく is a verb often used for screens or snow, implying an intermittent disturbance.
English 'flicker of emotion' is not directly translated with light-flickering words. Use adverbs like ちらりと or 一瞬 to convey the brief appearance.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing a flickering or twinkling light, often used with する. Very common and natural.
ろうそくの火がちらちら揺れている。
The candle flame is flickering.
Noun/する-verb meaning 'flickering on and off' or 'blinking', often used for lights, stars, or electronic indicators.
遠くの灯台の明かりが明滅している。
The light from the distant lighthouse is flickering.
Verb meaning to flicker or waver, often used for flames or shadows. Slightly literary.
暖炉の火が揺らめいている。
The fire in the fireplace is flickering.
Onomatopoeia for a light flickering or blinking rapidly, often annoyingly. Used with する.
蛍光灯がチカチカしてうっとうしい。
The fluorescent light is flickering and it's annoying.
Verb meaning to twinkle or flicker, typically used for stars or distant lights. Can also mean 'to blink' (eyes).
星が瞬いている。
The stars are twinkling.
Adverb meaning 'faintly' or 'slightly', often used to describe a barely perceptible expression.
彼はかすかに微笑んだ。
He smiled faintly (a flicker of a smile).
Noun/adverb meaning 'an instant' or 'a moment', used to describe something that appears very briefly.
彼の目に一瞬怒りが走った。
A flicker of anger flashed in his eyes.
Verb meaning to flicker or flutter, commonly used for screens, lights, or snow. Very natural for screen flicker.
パソコンの画面がちらついている。
The computer screen is flickering.
Loanword from English 'flicker', used in technical contexts for screen flicker or light flicker.
このモニターはフリッカーが少ない。
This monitor has little flicker.