Translation guide
A physical sensation of slight stinging or prickling, often from cold, excitement, or a mild irritant. Japanese expresses this through onomatopoeia and descriptive verbs rather than a single direct equivalent.
日焼けで肌がひりひりする。
My skin tingles from the sunburn.
ぞくぞくした。
I felt a tingle of excitement.
足がしびれている。
My foot is tingling (asleep).
Describe a mild, often pleasant or uncomfortable prickling feeling on the skin, like from cold, a light touch, or a mild irritant.
Describes a continuous, mild stinging or smarting pain, often from sunburn, windburn, or spicy food. It's the most common way to express a tingle that is slightly painful.
日焼けした肌がひりひりする。
My sunburned skin tingles.
冷たい風で頬がひりひりする。
My cheeks tingle from the cold wind.
Similar to ひりひり but often implies a sharper, more electric or nervous sensation. Can also describe a tense atmosphere.
炭酸飲料が舌にぴりぴりする。
The carbonated drink tingles on my tongue.
Describes a prickling sensation like from a needle or rough fabric. Often used for wool or stubble.
このセーターはちくちくする。
This sweater feels prickly/tingly.
Express a shiver or thrill of excitement, often accompanied by goosebumps.
Describes a shiver or thrill running down the spine, often from excitement, fear, or cold. It's the go-to word for a 'tingle of excitement'.
ホラー映画を見てぞくぞくした。
I got a tingle (of fear) watching the horror movie.
Describe the tingling sensation when a limb 'falls asleep' or recovers from numbness.
Describe a pleasant, ticklish sensation from a gentle touch.
All three describe a prickling sensation, but with different nuances. ひりひり is a continuous mild sting (like sunburn). ぴりぴり is sharper and more electric (like static or tension). ちくちく is like being poked with many small needles (like a wool sweater).
日焼けはひりひり、静電気はぴりぴり、ウールはちくちく。
Sunburn is hirihiri, static electricity is piripiri, wool is chikuchiku.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all meanings of 'tingle'. Using a direct translation like チングル will not be understood. Always choose the onomatopoeia or verb that matches the specific sensation.
彼の歌声にぞくぞくした。
His singing voice gave me tingles.
Means to be excited or thrilled in anticipation. It's more about emotional excitement than a physical sensation, but can be used when that excitement gives you a tingle.
旅行の前日はわくわくして眠れなかった。
The night before the trip, I was so excited I couldn't sleep (I had tingles of excitement).
Means to become numb or to have a tingling sensation from pressure on a nerve. It covers both the numbness and the subsequent prickling.
正座で足がしびれた。
My legs fell asleep (tingled) from sitting in seiza.
A common phrase specifically for legs/feet falling asleep.
長時間座っていて足がしびれた。
My legs are tingling from sitting so long.
Means ticklish. It can describe a light, tingling sensation that makes you want to laugh or squirm.
耳元でささやかれてくすぐったい。
It tingles (is ticklish) when someone whispers in my ear.