Translation guide
Describes light, quick, and often irregular movement, such as wings, leaves, flags, or a heart beating fast from emotion. Japanese uses a variety of mimetic words and verbs depending on what is fluttering and how.
Describe something small and light moving quickly and irregularly in the air or wind.
Mimetic adverb for light, fluttering movement like a butterfly, leaf, or piece of paper. Often used with と and a verb like 舞う (まう) or 落ちる (おちる).
Cherry blossom petals are fluttering down.
Verb for something like a flag, sail, or curtain flapping or fluttering in the wind. Implies a stronger, more rhythmic movement than ひらひら.
The flag is fluttering in the wind.
Mimetic word for light flapping or fluttering, often with a sound, like a bird's wings or a piece of cloth. Can also describe a child running around.
The small bird is fluttering its wings.
Verb for a quick, flashing flutter, like a fish's fin or a sudden movement. Also used metaphorically for an idea flashing into mind.
The fish's tail fin fluttered in the water.
Describe the sensation of one's heart beating fast or irregularly due to excitement, nervousness, or love.
Mimetic word for a pounding or throbbing heart, often from excitement, nervousness, or anticipation. Commonly used with する.
My heart flutters when I see the person I like.
Verb for the heart fluttering with romantic excitement or joy. Often used in the phrase 胸がときめく.
Phrase describing a sudden, tight, fluttering feeling in the chest, often from something cute or touching. Common in casual speech.
My heart fluttered when I saw his smile.
Describe the quick, light movement of eyelashes, often in a flirtatious or emotional way.
Literally 'to make one's eyelashes tremble', used for a delicate fluttering movement, often when moved or trying to appeal.
She fluttered her eyelashes and looked up at him.
Mimetic phrase for blinking or fluttering eyelashes rapidly, often in surprise or confusion.
She fluttered her eyelashes in surprise.
ひらひら describes light, gentle fluttering like petals or butterflies. はためく implies stronger, wind-driven flapping like flags or sails. Use ひらひら for delicate, silent movement; はためく for audible, forceful flapping.
A butterfly is fluttering about.
The tent is flapping in the strong wind.
ひらひら is for physical, visible fluttering. For heart fluttering, use どきどき, ときめく, or きゅんとする. Saying 心がひらひらする sounds unnatural.
彼からのメッセージに胸がときめいた。
My heart fluttered at his message.