Translation guide
The English phrase 'prick up' is almost exclusively used in the idiom 'prick up one's ears,' meaning to suddenly listen attentively or become alert. This guide focuses on how to express that concept naturally in Japanese.
prick up one's ears (casual)
more vivid, often for animals or figurative use
Expressing the action of becoming alert and focusing on a sound or conversation, often in response to something interesting or alarming.
He pricked up his ears at the sound.
I pricked up my ears when my name came up in the conversation.
Literally 'to clear one's ears,' meaning to listen carefully or strain to hear. It emphasizes the effort to catch faint sounds rather than a sudden alertness.
I pricked up my ears to the distant footsteps.
A more vivid, onomatopoeic expression. Often used for animals perking up their ears, but can be used figuratively for people suddenly paying attention.
The dog pricked up its ears and looked this way.
Literally 'to set up a listening ear,' implying eavesdropping or intentionally listening in on a conversation. Slightly negative nuance.
I pricked up my ears to the conversation in the next room.
Do not translate 'prick up' literally as 刺す (さす) or 突く (つく). The phrase is idiomatic and only used with 'ears.' The Japanese equivalents are set phrases involving 耳 (みみ).
耳をそばだてる implies a sudden, often involuntary reaction to a stimulus, while 耳を澄ます suggests a deliberate effort to listen carefully, often for faint or distant sounds.