What Is “Gyoro-ri”? The Japanese Sound of Sharp-Eyed Movement

02/12/2026

Imagine someone suddenly turning their head and fixing you with a sharp, penetrating stare.
Or an animal jerking its eyes sideways with intense focus.

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Gyoro-ri” (ぎょろり) appears — the sound and feel of eyes snapping or moving sharply with attention or suspicion.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

Table of Contents

What is “Gyoro-ri” (ぎょろり) ?

“Gyoro-ri” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that captures the moment someone (or something) moves their eyes suddenly and sharply.
It’s often used to describe wide-open, glaring eyes — especially when they seem to pierce or examine you.

It can carry various nuances:

A sharp or suspicious glance
A predatory or intense stare
An eerie or comical pop-eyed movement

This sound appears often in anime, manga, or storytelling when a character turns their gaze dramatically.

illustration of sound word, gyoro-ri, ぎょろり, Sharp-Eyed Movement

Pronunciation

gyo-ro-ri
(Each syllable is clear and snappy — imagine your eyeballs moving sharply as you say it.)

How Do You Say It?

Say it with a snap:
Gyoro… ri!

Like eyes moving with a purpose,
sharply… intensely…
Gyoro-ri.

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Suspicious glance

She felt someone watching her.
Turning her head quickly —
gyoro-ri — she scanned the room.

Example 2: Animal’s alert eyes

The lizard’s eyes moved —
gyoro-ri — each in a different direction, watching.

Cultural Note

In English, we might say:

“He shot her a sharp glance.”
“His eyes darted sideways.”
“She gave a sideways look.”

But “gyoro-ri” gives it a more dramatic, almost comical or intense edge.
It adds personality to the stare — often with a bit of exaggeration, as you might see in manga or comedy skits.