adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
Describes a swift, fleeting action, often with a sense of doing something in a flash or for a short moment. Common with verbs like 出る, 動く, 見える.
猫がちょろりと顔を出した。
The cat poked its head out for a moment.
彼はちょろりと舌を出して笑った。
He stuck out his tongue briefly and laughed.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
Implies doing something without much thought, often leading to a minor mistake or slip. Used with verbs like 言う, やる, 漏らす.
ついちょろりと秘密を漏らしてしまった。
I carelessly let the secret slip out.
ちょろりとそんなことを言うもんじゃない。
You shouldn't say such a thing so rashly.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
in trickles; in a thin stream
Describes a small amount of liquid flowing or dripping, often with a sense of a thin, continuous trickle. Used with verbs like 流れる, 垂れる, 出る.
蛇口から水がちょろりと流れている。
Water is trickling from the faucet.
傷口から血がちょろりと出た。
A thin stream of blood came from the wound.
Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely derives from the sound or motion associated with a quick, slight, or trickling action.