はじく

は

じ

く

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 10,000

はじく · godan verb (-ku)

Form	Positive	Negative
Dictionary	はじく	はじかない
Polite	はじきます	はじきません
Past polite	はじきました	はじきませんでした
Past	はじいた	はじかなかった
Te-form	はじいて	はじかないで
Desire	はじきたい	はじきたくない
Potential	はじける	はじけない
Passive	はじかれる	はじかれない
Causative	はじかせる	はじかせない
Causative passive	はじかせられるalso はじかされる	はじかせられないalso はじかされない
Volitional	はじこう
Polite volitional	はじきましょう
Imperative	はじけ	はじくな
Conditional	はじけば	はじかなければ
Tara conditional	はじいたら	はじかなかったら

Pairs with弾ける

Meanings

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

flip; flick; snap

usually written using kana alone

Quick, light motion with a finger or small object, often to move or strike something.

彼かれは指ゆびでコインをはじいた。
He flipped the coin with his finger.
虫むしをはじいて窓まどの外そとに出だした。
I flicked the bug out the window.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

repel; shed

usually written using kana alone

Often used for water, dirt, or attacks; implies the surface or object does not absorb or allow entry.

この傘かさは水みずをよくはじく。
This umbrella repels water well.
撥はっ水すい加か工こうで汚よごれをはじく。
The water-repellent finish sheds dirt.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

use an abacus; calculate on an abacus

usually written using kana alone

Specifically refers to moving abacus beads; extended to calculating in general, though less common.

そろばんをはじいて合ごう計けいを出だした。
I calculated the total using the abacus.

godan verb (-ku), transitive verb

strum; pluck

usually written using kana alone

Used for string instruments like guitar or shamisen; implies a light, quick plucking motion.

ギターの弦げんをはじいて音おとを出だした。
He plucked the guitar strings to make a sound.

See all 44 example sentences ›

Usage patterns

指ゆびで〈物もの〉を弾はじくto flick something with one's finger
指ゆびでビー玉だまを弾はじいて遊あそんだ。
I played by flicking marbles with my finger.
水みずを弾はじくto be water-repellent; to shed water
このコートの生き地じは水みずを弾はじく。
The fabric of this coat sheds water.
弦げんを弾はじくto pluck the strings (of an instrument)
彼かれはギターの弦げんを軽かるく弾はじいた。
He gave the guitar strings a light pluck.

Expressions

そろばんをはじくto count on the abacus; to do abacus calculation · to calculate cost-benefit; to be guided by self-interest

Kanji

弾bullet, twang, flip

Transitive / intransitive

弾はじける
弾く (はじく) is the transitive counterpart meaning to flick or snap something, while 弾ける is the intransitive verb for that thing springing or bursting open on its own.

Related words

はねるN2
はじく describes a quick, elastic flicking motion, such as a bead flicking off a surface, while 撥ねる (はねる) covers a broader sense of flipping or splattering, as with mud or paint.

Opposites

吸すうN5sense 2
弾く describes a surface repelling water or dirt without absorbing it, while 吸う describes the surface absorbing or soaking it up.

Don't confuse with

弾ひくN5sense 4
弾く（はじく）means to flick or snap something with a quick light motion, while 弾く（ひく）means to play a string instrument in the general sense of performing music, and the two are easily confused because they share the same kanji.
波は磔たく sense 1
弾く is a quick, light flick usually done with a finger, while はたく is a broader slapping or brushing motion, as in dusting something off.
はじき
はじく is the verb meaning 'to flick/repel' from which the noun はじき (gun slang, ohajiki, or repellence) is derived, so learners may mix up the verb and its noun forms.

Word family

はじき
gun; pistol · ohajiki; traditional children's game similar to marbles · repellence; repelling
おはじき
ohajiki; traditional children's game similar to marbles · gun; pistol
弾はじき玉だま
marbles
つまはじき
shunning; ostracism; exclusion · flick of a finger (to show disgust or scorn)
弾はじき返かえす
reject; repel; flick back
弾はじき飛とばす
flick off; send flying; knock away

Written forms

はじくUsage99%
Usually written in kana; the kanji 弾く is also used but less common for these senses.
弾はじくUsage1%
Kanji form; can also be read ひく (to play a string instrument). Context usually disambiguates.

Etymology

Native Japanese verb. The kanji 弾 is associated with 'bullet' or 'play (string instrument)', but the core meaning of はじく is a quick, spring-like motion.