キラキラ

キ

ラ

キ

ラ

Common wordJLPTN3Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

キラキラする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'

Form	Positive	Negative
Dictionary	キラキラする	キラキラしない
Polite	キラキラします	キラキラしません
Past polite	キラキラしました	キラキラしませんでした
Past	キラキラした	キラキラしなかった
Te-form	キラキラして	キラキラしないで
Desire	キラキラしたい	キラキラしたくない
Potential	キラキラできる	キラキラできない
Passive	キラキラされる	キラキラされない
Causative	キラキラさせる	キラキラさせない
Causative passive	キラキラさせられる	キラキラさせられない
Volitional	キラキラしよう
Polite volitional	キラキラしましょう
Imperative	キラキラしろ	キラキラするな
Conditional	キラキラすれば	キラキラしなければ
Tara conditional	キラキラしたら	キラキラしなかったら

Meanings

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

glittering; sparkling; twinkling

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes light reflecting off small surfaces in a bright, cheerful way. Often used for stars, jewelry, water, or eyes. Can be used adverbially with と or as a する verb.

星ほしがキラキラ光ひかっている。
The stars are twinkling.
彼かの女じょの目めがキラキラと輝かがやいていた。
Her eyes were sparkling.

See all 37 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

〈物もの〉がキラキラ（と）光ひかるsomething glitters/sparkles
夜よ空ぞらの星ほしがキラキラと光ひかっていた。
The stars in the night sky were twinkling.
〈人ひと〉の目めをキラキラさせるto make someone's eyes sparkle (with excitement)
子こ供どもたちは目めをキラキラさせてプレゼントを開あけた。
The children opened their presents with sparkling eyes.
キラキラした〈物もの〉a glittering/sparkling (thing)
彼かの女じょはキラキラしたアクセサリーが好すきだ。
She likes sparkly accessories.

Related words· 8

ピカピカN3
ピカピカ describes a smooth, shiny surface reflecting light evenly (like a polished floor), while キラキラ describes many small points of light glittering, as in stars or jewelry.
ぎらぎらN1
ギラギラ is a harsh, intense glare such as strong sunlight, while キラキラ is a gentle, pleasant sparkle.
きらめく
きらめく is the verb form meaning 'to sparkle,' while キラキラ is the adverb/onomatopoeia describing the same visual effect, often paired with する or と.
輝かがやくN3
輝く is a broader, more literary verb for shining or radiating light, while キラキラ specifically evokes a twinkling, multi-point sparkle.

Show 4 more

きらりN1
キラキラ describes a continuous, repeated sparkle or glitter, while きらり describes a single, momentary flash of light.
ちらちらN1
きらきら describes a brighter, more continuous sparkle or glitter, while ちらちら describes smaller, intermittent flickering or wavering light.
つやつやN1
きらきら describes sparkling, twinkling light (like stars or jewels), whereas つやつや describes a smooth, even sheen without necessarily sparkling.
煌こう々こうN1
きらきら is a common, casual mimetic word for sparkling or twinkling, whereas 煌々 is formal and describes a steady, powerful radiance rather than a twinkle.

Don't confuse with

きらびやかN1
きらきら is an onomatopoeic adverb describing a twinkling or glittering motion, while きらびやか is a na-adjective describing an overall gorgeous, richly decorated appearance.

Word family

キラキラネーム
unconventional baby name; flashy given name

Written forms

キラキラUsage55%
Common katakana spelling for this mimetic word.
きらきらUsage45%
Common hiragana spelling.

Etymology

Onomatopoeic/mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it imitates the sound or visual impression of small, bright flashes of light.