クラクラ

ク

ラ

ク

ラ

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

クラクラする · noun or participle which takes 'suru'

Meanings

dizzy; giddy; lightheaded

Describes a sensation of dizziness, spinning, or feeling faint, often from heat, illness, or standing up too quickly. Commonly used with する or と.

boiling vigorously; bubbling up

Describes liquid boiling or bubbling up intensely. Often used with と. Less common than the dizziness sense.

頭あたまがクラクラするto feel dizzy/lightheaded
熱ねつがあって頭あたまがクラクラする。
I have a fever and feel lightheaded.
目めがクラクラするto feel dizzy or overwhelmed visually
急きゅうに立たち上あがったら目めがクラクラした。
I got dizzy when I stood up suddenly.
お湯ゆがクラクラ沸わくfor water to boil vigorously, bubbling up
鍋なべのお湯ゆがクラクラと沸わいている。
The water in the pot is boiling vigorously.

ふらふらN3sense 1
ふらふら describes unsteady, wobbly movement, while クラクラ focuses on the internal sensation of dizziness or lightheadedness.
めまいN3sense 1
めまい is the noun for a dizzy spell or vertigo, while クラクラ is the onomatopoeic adverb describing that dizzy feeling as it happens.
グラグラN3sense 2
ぐらぐら describes something physically unstable or shaking, such as boiling water, whereas クラクラ in its boiling sense simply emphasizes vigorous bubbling.

グラグラN3
クラクラ is a katakana-emphasized form used almost exclusively for dizziness, while グラグラ has a wider range of meanings including physical wobbling, mental wavering, and boiling.

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it likely imitates the sensation of spinning or lightheadedness.