ひらひら

ひ

ら

ひ

ら

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

ひらひらする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'

Meanings

Describes light, thin objects moving gently in the air, such as flags, leaves, or paper. Often used with と or as a する-verb.

Archaic use for light or flame flickering unsteadily. Rare in modern Japanese; ちらちら is more common.

frill; thin decorative piece

Refers to a frill or a thin, fluttering piece of material, such as on clothing. Derived from the adverbial sense.

〈物もの〉がひらひら(と)舞まうfor something (leaves, paper) to flutter and float down
落おち葉ばが風かぜにひらひらと舞まい落おちた。
The fallen leaves fluttered down in the wind.
〈物もの〉がひらひらするfor a thin object (flag, cloth) to flutter or flap
旗はたが風かぜにひらひらしている。
The flag is fluttering in the wind.
〈物もの〉のすそがひらひらするfor the hem or edge of a garment to flutter
スカートのすそがひらひらと揺ゆれている。
The hem of the skirt is fluttering as it sways.

ふわふわN2sense 1
ひらひら describes thin, flat things flapping crisply in the air, while ふわふわ describes soft, fluffy things drifting or bouncing lightly.
ちらちらN1sense 2
ちらちら is the modern, standard word for light flickering unsteadily, while ひらひら in this sense is archaic and rarely used today.
ゆらゆらN1sense 1
ひらひら suggests light, thin objects flapping with a fluttering motion, whereas ゆらゆら describes a slower, swaying back-and-forth motion.
ひらりN1
ひらり describes a single quick, light movement, while ひらひら describes a continuous fluttering or flapping motion.

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ハラハラN2
ひらひら describes light objects fluttering or waving back and forth in the air, while ハラハラ emphasizes their gentle, continuous falling motion, like petals or tears.
翻ひるがえる
ひらひら is an onomatopoeic adverb describing light, repeated fluttering motion, while 翻る is the verb naming the action of fluttering or flapping itself.

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely imitates the light, repeated motion of thin objects.