じりじり

also: ぢりぢり · ヂリヂリ

じ

り

じ

り

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

slowly but steadily; gradually; bit by bit

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a gradual, often relentless progression, like a deadline approaching or a situation worsening step by step.

締しめ切きりがじりじりと迫せまってきた。
The deadline has been creeping up on me.

敵てきがじりじりと前ぜん進しんしてくる。

The enemy is advancing slowly but steadily.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

irritatedly; impatiently

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Expresses growing irritation or impatience, often with a sense of being on edge. Can be used with する to describe a state of frustration.

彼かれは待まち合あわせに遅おくれて、じりじりしていた。
He was getting irritated because the person he was meeting was late.
結けっ果かが気きになってじりじりする。
I'm on edge wondering about the results.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

scorchingly (of the sun)

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes the intense, burning heat of the sun beating down.

真ま夏なつの太たい陽ようがじりじりと照てりつける。
The midsummer sun beats down scorchingly.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

sizzling (sound of frying)

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Mimics the sound of something frying in hot oil.

フライパンで肉にくがじりじりと音おとを立たてている。
The meat is sizzling in the frying pan.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

ringing (of an alarm or bell)

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Represents the persistent, irritating sound of a warning bell, alarm clock, or similar device.

目め覚ざまし時計どけいがじりじりと鳴なっている。
The alarm clock is ringing persistently.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

oozing out; seeping out

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes something like oil or sweat slowly coming out, often with a sense of unpleasantness.

額ひたいから汗あせがじりじりと滲にじみ出でてきた。
Sweat started oozing out from my forehead.

Written forms

じりじりUsage79%
Standard hiragana spelling for this mimetic adverb.
ジリジリUsage21%
Katakana spelling, often used for emphasis or in informal writing.

Similar words

じわじわ
じわじわ also means 'slowly' or 'gradually', but often implies a softer, more spread-out progression (like liquid soaking through), while じりじり can carry a sense of tension, irritation, or a more relentless, step-by-step advance.
いらいら
いらいら is a more common word for irritation or annoyance, often used for a general state of being irritated. じりじり in its irritated sense emphasizes a growing, impatient frustration, often tied to waiting or a specific situation.

Etymology

A mimetic word (擬態語) whose sound-symbolic origin is uncertain. The reduplicated form じりじり likely imitates a continuous, grating sensation or sound, which gave rise to its various meanings.