じゃらつく

じゃ

ら

つ

く

Meanings

1

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

jingle; clink; chink

usually written using kana alone

Describes the light, metallic sound of small objects like coins or keys hitting each other. Often used for the sound of loose change or accessories.

ポケットの中なかで小こ銭ぜにがじゃらつく。
The coins jingle in my pocket.

鍵かぎがじゃらついてうるさい。

The keys are clinking noisily.

2

godan verb (-ku), intransitive verb

act flirtatiously; act coquettishly

Describes playful, coquettish behavior, often with a nuance of being overly familiar or teasing. Can imply a lack of seriousness or modesty.

彼かの女じょは男だん性せいの前まえでじゃらつくのが好すきだ。
She likes to act coquettishly in front of men.
あの子こはいつもじゃらついていて、真面目まじめな話はなしができない。
That girl is always flirting and you can't have a serious conversation with her.

Written forms

じゃらつくUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji forms じゃら付く and 戯つく are rare and may not be widely recognized.
じゃら付つく
Rare kanji spelling using 付く; not commonly used.
戯じゃらつく
Rare kanji spelling using 戯; may be unfamiliar to most readers.

Kanji

付adhere, attach, refer to
戯frolic, play, sport

Similar words

ちゃらつく
Similar onomatopoeic verb for jingling or clinking, but ちゃらつく often implies a lighter, more trivial sound or behavior, and can also mean to talk frivolously.
じゃらじゃら
Adverb form describing continuous jingling or clinking, or the state of being covered in jangling accessories. じゃらつく is the verb form.

Etymology

Onomatopoeic origin from the sound of small objects clinking together (じゃら). The verb ending つく adds the sense of 'becoming' or 'acting in a certain way'. The flirtatious sense likely derives from the idea of making oneself 'jangly' or showy to attract attention.