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きらっと Japanese meaning | Kotomora

きらっと

Meanings

1

adverb

with a single flash; glitteringly; sparklingly

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a brief, sharp glint or sparkle, often of light reflecting off a surface or a momentary gleam in the eye.

彼かの女じょの目めがきらっと光ひかった。
Her eyes flashed for a moment.
星ほしがきらっと輝かがやいた。
A star twinkled brightly.

Written forms

キラッと
Katakana variant often used for emphasis or stylistic effect.
キラっと
Mixed kana/katakana variant, less common but still encountered.

Similar words

きらきら
きらきら describes continuous or repeated sparkling, while きらっと refers to a single, momentary flash.
ぴかっと
ぴかっと is also a single flash, but often implies a stronger, more brilliant light, like lightning or a camera flash.

Etymology

Mimetic word derived from the sound/impression of a quick, sharp glint. The exact origin is uncertain, but it belongs to a family of onomatopoeic adverbs starting with きら (e.g., きらきら, きらり).