キリキリ
Meanings
Describes a sharp, continuous friction or rubbing sensation, often used for chafing or teeth grinding.
My heel hurts with a chafing pain from the shoe rubbing.
Due to stress, I was grinding my teeth with a grinding sound while sleeping.
binding tightly; pulling tight
Used for the action of tying, binding, or pulling something very tightly, often with a sense of tension.
I bind the luggage tightly.
I pull the bowstring taut.
rotating quickly
Describes something spinning or turning rapidly, often with a whirring sound.
The top spins rapidly.
hurting sharply
Indicates a sharp, stabbing pain, often in the stomach or head.
I have a sharp pain in my stomach.
Describes doing something in a quick, efficient, and often slightly urgent manner.
I finish the work briskly.
I walk briskly.
Usage patterns
- 〈体の部分〉がキリキリ痛むfor a body part to hurt with a sharp, stabbing pain
When I get nervous, my stomach hurts with a sharp, stabbing pain.
- 〈物〉をキリキリ締めるto pull or tighten something firmly and tensely
I pulled the rope tight and secured the luggage.
- 歯をキリキリ鳴らすto grind one's teeth (making a sharp grinding sound)
He grinds his teeth while he's sleeping.
- 〈物〉がキリキリ回るfor something to spin around rapidly (often with a whirring sound)
The pinwheel is spinning around rapidly.
- キリキリ働くto work briskly and efficiently
She has been working briskly since morning.