Translation guide
The sensation of many small, sharp points on the skin, often from heat, irritation, or a physical cause. In Japanese, this is expressed through specific mimetic words and descriptive phrases.
Describe a tingling, stinging, or prickly feeling on the skin, often from heat, sweat, or mild irritation.
Mimetic word for a prickling or stinging sensation, like many small needles. Commonly used for skin irritation, heat rash, or when something like a wool sweater feels prickly.
このセーター、チクチクする。
This sweater feels prickly.
汗で肌がチクチクする。
My skin feels prickly from sweat.
Mimetic word for a sharper, more electric prickling or tingling, often from irritation, chemicals, or nerve sensations. Can also describe a tense atmosphere.
化粧水が肌にピリピリしみる。
The toner stings my skin with a prickling sensation.
足がしびれてピリピリする。
My leg has fallen asleep and feels prickly.
Descriptive phrase meaning 'a feeling like being pricked by needles'. Used when you want to be more explicit about the sensation.
この布団は針で刺されるような感じがする。
This futon gives a prickling sensation, like being pricked by needles.
Describe a prickling sensation on the skin caused by cold, fear, or strong emotion, often with visible goosebumps.
Literally 'goosebumps stand up'. Used for both cold and emotional reactions like awe or fear. The prickling sensation is implied by the goosebumps.
寒くて鳥肌が立った。
I got goosebumps from the cold (and a prickling sensation).
感動して鳥肌が立った。
I was so moved I got goosebumps.
Mimetic word for shivers or chills, often from cold, fear, or excitement. Can describe a prickling sensation running down the spine.
Describe a sharp, stinging pain from a cut, insect bite, or plant sting.
Mimetic word for a smarting, burning pain, like from a scrape, sunburn, or insect sting. Often used for persistent stinging.
すり傷がヒリヒリ痛む。
The scrape has a prickling, stinging pain.
虫に刺されたところがヒリヒリする。
The insect bite stings and prickles.
Also used for sharp, intermittent prickling pain, like from a splinter or needle.
チクチク is for intermittent, needle-like prickling (e.g., wool, splinter). ピリピリ is for sharper, electric-like tingling or stinging (e.g., strong toner, nerve pain). ヒリヒリ is for persistent, burning sting (e.g., sunburn, scrape).
ウールのセーターはチクチクする。
A wool sweater feels prickly (many small pricks).
消毒液が傷にピリピリしみる。
The antiseptic stings the wound sharply.
日焼けで肌がヒリヒリする。
My skin stings and burns from sunburn.
怖くて背中がゾクゾクした。
I was so scared I felt a prickling shiver down my back.
とげが刺さってチクチク痛い。
The splinter is causing a prickling pain.