What Is “Kura”? The Japanese Sound of a Sudden Dizzy Spell

Ever stood up too quickly and felt the world tilt for a second?
Or stepped out of a hot bath, only to feel your vision blur?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “kura” (くらっ) comes in — the sound and sensation of a sudden, momentary dizziness.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

What is “Kura” (くらっ)?

“kura” (くらっ) is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes a brief, sharp dizzy spell.

It’s used for:

Physical reactions: standing up too fast, overheating, or being lightheaded.

Emotional shock: when something is so surprising it makes you feel faint.

It’s always short, sharp, and sudden — just a moment of imbalance.

Pronunciation

koo-rah (quick and clipped, almost like a gasp)

Categories

Movement / Condition

あわせて読みたい

What’s the Difference Between “Kura” and “Kurari” in Japanese? Ever stood up too quickly and felt a sudden flash of dizziness?Or stayed in the summer heat too long and felt your balance gently sway? In Japanese, these se…

What Does “Kura” Look Like?

It looks like:

A flash of stars in front of your eyes.

Knees buckling for just a moment.

A world that tilts suddenly, then steadies again.

How Do You Say It?

Say it suddenly, as if surprised:
Kura!

Like your vision going white for an instant, or your balance slipping for a breath.

Example in Daily Life

Example: Sudden dizziness

He stood up too quickly,
and his vision spun —
kura!

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:

“I felt dizzy.”

“I almost fainted.”

“My vision spun.”

But “kura” (くらっ) gives you the instant, sensory impact — the sharp flicker of dizziness in just one sound.

Watch & Feel the “Kura” World!

Feel the sudden tilt, the unsteady flash — short but powerful.

Even brave climbers can feel a quick dizzy spell when looking down from a great height. That moment is kura!

Try Using It!

When you get up too quickly…
When summer heat makes you lightheaded…
When shock nearly makes you faint…

Say it suddenly:
Kura!