Translation guide
Describes doing something with a quick, light, sharp movement, often of the fingers, wrist, or a tool. Japanese uses mimetic adverbs, specific verbs, or instrumental phrases.
The core meaning: a sudden, sharp, light movement, often of the fingers or wrist, to move, remove, or activate something.
Mimetic adverb for a light, sharp flicking or snapping motion. Often used with verbs like はじく (to flick) or 弾く (to pluck).
彼は指でぴんとコインをはじいた。
He flicked the coin with his finger.
Mimetic adverb for a light, popping or tapping flick. Slightly softer sound than ぴんと. Used for gentle flicks or taps.
彼女はぽんと肩をたたいた。
She tapped him on the shoulder with a flick.
Verb meaning to flick, snap, or flip something with a finger or tool. Transitive. Often used with 指で (with a finger).
彼は指で水滴をはじいた。
He flicked off the water droplets with his finger.
Verb meaning to pluck or flick, especially for string instruments. Also used for flicking with a finger. Can be read はじく in some contexts, but ひく is standard for instruments.
ギターの弦を指で弾く。
Pluck the guitar strings with a flick of the finger.
A swift, light movement across a surface, like flicking dust off or swiping a screen.
Mimetic adverb for a quick, light, sweeping motion. Implies doing something swiftly and lightly, like a flick of the hand.
彼はさっと手を振ってほこりを払った。
He flicked the dust off with a quick sweep of his hand.
Verb meaning to brush off, sweep away, or flick off. Often combined with adverbs like さっと or ぱっと.
Mimetic adverb for a sudden, light, spreading motion. Can be used for flicking something away quickly.
A sudden rotational movement, like flicking a switch or throwing something with a wrist snap.
Mimetic adverb for a quick turning or spinning motion. Used for flicking something around or turning a switch.
彼は手首をくるっと回してドアを開けた。
He opened the door with a flick of his wrist.
Verb meaning to twist, turn, or flick with the fingers or wrist. Often used for small, precise movements.
Turning something on/off or changing a state with a quick, light press or flip.
Phrase using mimetic ぱちっと for a clicking or snapping flick. Describes turning on a switch with a crisp motion.
彼はスイッチをぱちっと入れて、部屋を明るくした。
He flicked the switch on and lit up the room.
Similar to ぱちっと, but カチッと emphasizes a mechanical click sound. Slightly more technical feel.
スイッチをカチッと入れると、機械が動き出した。
With a flick of the switch, the machine started up.
Japanese often uses mimetic adverbs (onomatopoeia) like ぴんと, さっと, くるっと to convey the manner of a flick. Pair them with a verb for natural expression.
ぴんと指ではじく
flick with a finger
There is no single Japanese word for 'flick'. Translating 'with a flick' literally as フリックで or 一振りで often sounds unnatural. Use mimetic adverbs or specific verbs instead.
She flicked the dust off her skirt with her hand.
He flicked his hand to shoo away the bug.
He flicked the knob with his fingers.