Ever watched snow falls gently through the air?
Or caught someone glancing your way — again and again — as if by accident?
That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Chira Chira” (ちらちら) comes to life —
the sound and feel of something light, delicate, and flickering in sight or motion.
Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!
What is “Chira Chira” (ちらちら)?
“Chira Chira” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes things that move or appear lightly and intermittently.
It can express:
Gentle repetition — not continuous, but appearing again and again.
Visual flickering — snow, flames, or light fluttering softly.
Subtle movement — glances, leaves falling, or something wavering in sight.
Pronunciation
chee-rah chee-rah
(Say it softly and lightly, as if snow is drifting through the air.)
Categories
Movement / Visual / Condition
What Does “Chira Chira” Look Like?
It looks like:
Someone looking over shyly, eyes meeting for just a second.
Snowflakes falling one after another, dancing in the wind.
Candlelight flickering in the dark.
How Do You Say It?
Say it gently, almost like a whisper:
Chira… chira…
Let it feel like light or emotion passing through the air:
Chira chira…
Examples in Daily Life
Example 1: Falling snow
Snow drifted down from the sky,
soft and endless —
chira chira…
Example 2: Shy glance
She looked his way,
then quickly turned back,
eyes flickering —
chira chira…
Cultural Note
In English, “chira chira” might be expressed as:
- fluttering, flickering, glimmering, or sneaking glances.
But in Japanese, it’s not just about movement — it’s about feeling.
There’s a sense of delicacy, rhythm, and emotion behind it.
That’s why “chira chira” appears in literature and anime to describe light snow, candlelight, or a hesitant gaze filled with emotion.
Watch & Feel the “Chira Chira” World!
Feel the chira chira — the peaceful, quiet moment.
Try Using It!
When you see snow fluttering down — say chira chira.
When someone’s shy glances meet your eyes — say chira chira.
When candlelight dances softly — say chira chira.
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