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 sensations are expressed beautifully through sound:

Kura (くらっ)

Kurari (くらり)

What is “Kura” (くらっ)?

A short, sharp dizziness.

Used for: sudden lightheadedness, standing up quickly, or a brief dizzy spell.

Nuance: instant, abrupt, momentary.

Example:
She stood up suddenly,
and her vision blurred —
kura…!

Pronunciation

koo-rah (short, clipped, quick)

あわせて読みたい

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 onomatop…

What is “Kurari” (くらり)?

A soft, swaying dizziness.

Used for: heatstroke, fatigue, or emotional faintness.

Nuance: gentle, floating, drawn out — a subtle swaying rather than a sudden flash.

Example:
After walking in the hot sun,
her head swayed lightly —
kurari…

Pronunciation

koo-rah-ree (slightly longer, swaying)

あわせて読みたい

What Is “Kurari”? The Japanese Sound of Gentle Swaying Dizziness Ever walked out into the summer heat and felt your body waver slightly?Or stood for too long and felt your balance gently give way? That’s when the Japanese …

Cultural Note

In English, you might simply say:

“Feeling faint.”

“Dizzy.”

“My head spun.”

But in Japanese, the distinction is clear:

Kura (くらっ) = short and sudden

Kurari (くらり) = gentle and swaying

That’s why in literature or manga, Kura (くらっ) is often used for a quick shock or sudden dizziness, while Kurari (くらり) paints a softer, almost floating faintness.

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Sudden dizziness (Kura)

She jumped up too quickly —
kura!

Example 2: Heat-induced faintness (Kurari)

The hot sun blurred her vision —
kurari…

Try Using Them!

When you feel a sharp flash of dizziness,
say kura!

When you feel yourself sway gently with fatigue,
say kurari…