When something is glaringly bright or dazzlingly shiny, like the summer sun or a really sparkly object, you can describe it using the Japanese word ぎらぎら (giragira).
Imagine the strong sun on a hot day – it's ぎらぎら. Or a diamond necklace that's sparkling a lot – it's ぎらぎら.
It emphasizes a strong, often intense, visual brightness or shimmer. It's often used for things that are almost too bright to look at directly.
When something is glaringly bright or dazzlingly shiny, especially under direct sunlight, we use the adverb ぎらぎら (giragira). Imagine the sun reflecting off a window pane, or a very shiny car. It describes a strong, sometimes intense, shimmering light that might even be a bit too bright for your eyes. You'll often hear it when talking about things that reflect light very strongly.
When something is ぎらぎら (giragira), it's shining so brightly that it might even be a little overwhelming or uncomfortable to look at. Think of the intense glare of the summer sun reflected off water or a metallic surface. It's a vivid, strong shimmer that really catches your eye.
You might also hear it used to describe someone's eyes if they are shining with intense desire, ambition, or even greed. For example, if someone is looking at an expensive item with greedy, shining eyes, you could say their eyes are ぎらぎらしている (giragira shiteiru).
When used with the verb 輝く (kagayaku), ぎらぎら describes a strong, bright, and sometimes harsh light, like the midday sun or a diamond reflecting light.
It can also be used to describe someone's intense gaze, suggesting a fierce or ambitious look.
You might hear it in phrases like 太陽がぎらぎら輝く (Taiyou ga giragira kagayaku - The sun shines dazzlingly).
This word adds a vivid sense of intense brightness or strong visual impact.
§ Where you actually hear this word — work, school, news
ぎらぎら (giragira) describes a strong, often unpleasant, glare or shimmer. It's not a word you'll hear in every conversation, but it's very useful when you need to talk about bright, intense light. Let's look at some situations where this word pops up in real life, from work to news reports.
§ At work
In a professional setting, you might use ぎらぎら to describe lighting conditions or equipment. For example, if you're discussing a computer screen or a monitor, you might say it's ぎらぎらしていて見づらい (giragira shiteite mitsurai) — meaning it's glaring and hard to see.
パソコンの画面がぎらぎらしていて目が疲れる。
Hint
The computer screen is ぎらぎら and my eyes get tired.
You could also use it to describe bright, reflective surfaces in a factory or construction site, especially if the light is causing discomfort or safety issues.
Hint
The stage was ぎらぎら from the sunlight.
§ At school or home
Imagine a sunny day and the reflection off a window or a metallic object. This is a common scenario for using ぎらぎら. For example, if you're trying to read a book but the sun is reflecting off something outside, you might complain about the ぎらぎら した光 (giragira shita hikari — glaring light).
夏の日差しがぎらぎらと窓から入ってくる。
Hint
The summer sun is ぎらぎら coming in through the window.
It's also often used for eyes that shine intensely, sometimes with a sense of ambition or even greed, though this usage is more metaphorical.
彼の目は、成功への欲望でぎらぎらしていた。
Hint
His eyes were ぎらぎら with ambition for success.
§ In news or media
News reports might use ぎらぎら to describe various visual phenomena. Think about a hot summer day — the sun might be described as ぎらぎら と照りつける (giragira to teritsukeru — glaring down fiercely). This emphasizes the intensity and discomfort of the heat.
真夏の太陽がぎらぎらとなり、外に出るのも危ない。
Hint
The midsummer sun is ぎらぎら and it's dangerous to go outside.
It can also be used to describe the flashy or gaudy appearance of something, like a celebrity's outfit or an extravagant display.
パパラッチにぎらぎら した自動車 (paparacchi ni giragira shita jidousha) - a ぎらぎら car to the paparazzi (implying flashy, eye-catching)
The sun is shining dazzlingly. (The sun is **dazzlingly shining**.)
彼の目は欲望にぎらぎらしていた。
His eyes were glaring with desire. (His eyes were **glaringly** with desire.)
夏のぎらぎらした日差しがまぶしい。
The blazing summer sun is dazzling. (Summer's **blazing** sunlight is dazzling.)
街のネオンがぎらぎらと光る。
The city's neon lights glitter brightly. (The city's neon lights **glitter brightly**.)
ぎらぎらと燃える炎を見つめた。
I stared at the fiercely burning flames. (I stared at the **fiercely burning** flames.)
砂漠のぎらぎらする暑さに耐える。
To endure the scorching heat of the desert. (To endure the desert's **scorching** heat.)
宝石がぎらぎらと輝いていた。
The jewels were shimmering brilliantly. (The jewels were **brilliantly shimmering**.)
ぎらぎらと照りつける太陽の下で働く。
To work under the blazing sun. (To work under the **blazing** sun.)
彼女のぎらぎらした視線に気づいた。
I noticed her glaring gaze. (I noticed her **glaring** gaze.)
ぎらぎらした街の明かりが遠くに見える。
The dazzling city lights are visible in the distance. (The city's **dazzling** lights are visible in the distance.)
문법 패턴
Adverbial usage modifying verbs
Usage with と (to) particle for onomatopoeic/mimetic words
Usage as an adjectival noun with した (shita) to modify nouns
Describing strong, intense light or shine
Describing a strong, intense emotion (metaphorical usage)
문장 패턴
A1
ぎらぎらと [動詞]
太陽がぎらぎらと輝く。 (The sun shines dazzlingly.)
A2
ぎらぎらした [名詞]
ぎらぎらした日差し。 (Dazzling sunlight.)
B1
[何か]がぎらぎらと [動詞]ている
宝石がぎらぎらと光っている。 (The jewels are shimmering brightly.)
B1
ぎらぎらと [形容詞/副詞]
ぎらぎらと眩しい。 (Dazzlingly bright.)
어휘 가족
명사
輝き (kagayaki)radiance, sparkle
光 (hikari)light, gleam
동사
ぎらつく (giratsuku)to glare, to dazzle
輝く (kagayaku)to shine, to glitter
형용사
ぎらぎらした (giragira shita)glaring, dazzling
眩しい (mabushii)dazzling, glaring
실생활에서 연습하기
실제 사용 상황
Describing strong sunlight
太陽がぎらぎらと照りつける。
真夏の太陽がぎらぎら輝く。
ぎらぎらした日差し
Describing something shiny or metallic
ぎらぎら光る宝石。
金属がぎらぎら反射する。
ぎらぎらした鎧
Describing eyes with a strong or intense look
ぎらぎらした目で見る。
彼の目はぎらぎらしていた。
ぎらぎらと獲物を狙う目つき
Describing something that stands out conspicuously
ぎらぎらした派手な服。
広告塔がぎらぎらと輝いている。
ぎらぎら目立つ看板
Describing oil or grease shining on a surface
油でぎらぎらした床。
ラーメンのスープがぎらぎらしている。
ぎらぎらと脂ぎった肌
대화 시작하기
"一番ぎらぎらした太陽を経験したのはどこですか？ (Where did you experience the most glaring sun?)"
"ぎらぎら光るもので一番好きなのは何ですか？ (What's your favorite dazzlingly shiny thing?)"
"誰かの目がぎらぎらしているのを見たことがありますか？どんな状況でしたか？ (Have you ever seen someone's eyes with an intense, glaring look? What was the situation?)"
"もしぎらぎらした服を着るとしたら、どんな場面で着たいですか？ (If you were to wear dazzlingly conspicuous clothes, what kind of situation would you want to wear them in?)"
"ぎらぎらした食べ物で、特に印象に残っているものはありますか？ (Is there any particularly memorable greasy or oily food that you've seen shimmering?)"
일기 주제
今日、ぎらぎらした何かを見つけましたか？それは何でしたか？ (Did you find anything glaring/dazzling today? What was it?)
もし自分がぎらぎらと輝けるとしたら、どんな風に輝きたいですか？ (If you could shine dazzlingly, how would you want to shine?)
ぎらぎらという言葉から、どんな感情を連想しますか？ (What emotions do you associate with the word 'giragira'?)
ぎらぎらした風景を描写してみてください。(Try to describe a dazzling/glaring landscape.)
ぎらぎらという音の響きについて、どう思いますか？ (What do you think about the sound of 'giragira'?)
셀프 테스트
72 질문
listening
A1
The sun is shining brightly.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽がぎらぎらと輝いています。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
listening
A1
The desert was shimmering.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 砂漠はぎらぎらと光っていました。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
listening
A1
The jewels looked dazzling.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 宝石がぎらぎらと輝いて見えました。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
太陽がぎらぎら。
Focus: ぎらぎら (gi-ra-gi-ra)
당신의 답변:
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정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
ぎらぎらと光る。
Focus: ぎらぎらと (gi-ra-gi-ra-to)
당신의 답변:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A1
Read this aloud:
砂漠がぎらぎら。
Focus: ぎらぎら (gi-ra-gi-ra)
당신의 답변:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
Speech recognition is not supported in your browser. Try Chrome or Edge.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
sentence order
A1
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽が ぎらぎら 輝いている。
This sentence describes the sun shining dazzlingly. '太陽' (taiyō) means sun, 'ぎらぎら' (giragira) means dazzlingly, and '輝いている' (kagayaite iru) means is shining.
sentence order
A1
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 暑い日に ぎらぎら 光る。
This sentence means 'It glares on a hot day'. '暑い日' (atsui hi) means hot day, 'ぎらぎら' (giragira) means glaringly, and '光る' (hikaru) means to shine/glare.
sentence order
A1
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 汗が ぎらぎらと 流れる。
This sentence means 'Sweat glistens'. '汗' (ase) means sweat, 'ぎらぎらと' (giragirato) is an adverbial form of 'ぎらぎら' meaning glisteningly, and '流れる' (nagareru) means to flow.
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A2
夏の太陽が___と照りつけている。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は太陽の強い光がまぶしい様子を表します。
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A2
彼は金色のネックレスを___とつけていた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は光るものがまぶしいほど輝く様子を表します。
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A2
砂漠の太陽は___と肌を焼く。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は強い日差しが照りつける様子を表します。
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A2
彼の指輪はダイヤモンドが___と輝いていた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は宝石などが強い光を放つ様子を表します。
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A2
暑い日差しが地面に___と反射していた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は強い光が反射してまぶしい様子を表します。
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A2
夜の街にはネオンが___と光っている。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」はネオンのような強い光がまぶしいほど輝く様子を表します。
multiple choice
A2
Choose the sentence where ぎらぎら is used correctly:
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽がぎらぎら輝いている。
ぎらぎら describes intense, dazzling light, like the sun shining brightly.
multiple choice
A2
Which of these describes something ぎらぎら?
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: A shiny, reflective surface in bright sunlight.
ぎらぎら implies a strong, bright, and sometimes dazzling reflection or glow.
multiple choice
A2
What is the most common use of ぎらぎら?
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: To describe intense light or shine.
ぎらぎら primarily refers to bright, dazzling, or glaring light.
true false
A2
ぎらぎら can be used to describe the sound of thunder.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
ぎらぎら describes light, not sound.
true false
A2
A diamond can ぎらぎら.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 참
Diamonds are known for their dazzling and shimmering quality, which ぎらぎら accurately describes.
true false
A2
ぎらぎら means 'very dark'.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
ぎらぎら means 'glaringly' or 'dazzlingly', which is the opposite of dark.
listening
A2
The sun is shining brightly.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽がぎらぎらと輝いています。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
listening
A2
His ring is shimmering.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 彼の指輪はぎらぎら光っています。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
listening
A2
On a hot summer day, the asphalt is dazzling.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 夏の暑い日に、アスファルトがぎらぎらしています。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
ぎらぎらと輝く太陽がまぶしい。
Focus: ぎらぎら (gi-ra-gi-ra)
당신의 답변:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
その車の窓はぎらぎらしていました。
Focus: ぎらぎら (gi-ra-gi-ra)
당신의 답변:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
speaking
A2
Read this aloud:
暑い砂漠の太陽はぎらぎらしています。
Focus: ぎらぎら (gi-ra-gi-ra)
당신의 답변:
AI is analyzing your pronunciation...
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정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
writing
A2
Imagine you are outside on a very sunny day. Describe what you see, focusing on something that is "glaring" or "dazzling." Use ぎらぎら in your description.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
夏の太陽がぎらぎらと輝いています。その光がとてもまぶしいです。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
writing
A2
Write a short sentence about a piece of jewelry that is shining very brightly. Use ぎらぎら.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
Sample answer
彼女の指輪がぎらぎらと光っています。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답:
writing
A2
Describe how something might look in a strong, bright light at night. For example, a neon sign. Use ぎらぎら.
Well written!Good try! Check the sample answer below.
夏の太陽が___と照りつけていた。(The summer sun was shining glaringly.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は太陽などが強く、眩しく輝く様子を表します。
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B2
ダイヤモンドの指輪が___と光っていた。(The diamond ring was shimmering dazzlingly.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は宝石などが強い光を反射して輝く様子にも使われます。
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B2
彼の目は欲望で___と輝いていた。(His eyes were shining glaringly with desire.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、強い感情や欲求が表れた目の輝きにも使われることがあります。
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B2
砂漠の真昼の太陽は___と肌を焼く。(The midday desert sun glares and burns the skin.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は強い日差しが照りつける様子を表現します。
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B2
豪華なシャンデリアが___と部屋を照らしていた。(The luxurious chandelier was dazzlingly illuminating the room.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、豪華な照明が強く輝く様子を表すこともできます。
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B2
彼の派手なアクセサリーはいつも___と目立っている。(His flashy accessories always stand out dazzlingly.)
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、装飾品などが強く輝き、派手な印象を与える様子に使われます。
multiple choice
B2
Choose the sentence where 「ぎらぎら」 is used correctly.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽がぎらぎらと照りつける。
「ぎらぎら」 describes intense, dazzling light, like the sun. It doesn't typically describe a smile, playing, or rain.
multiple choice
B2
Which of these objects is most likely to be described as 「ぎらぎら」?
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 真夏の強い日差し
「ぎらぎら」 implies intense, almost harsh brightness, which fits a strong summer sun. The other options describe softer or less intense light/conditions.
multiple choice
B2
Select the most appropriate synonym for 「ぎらぎら」 in the context of light.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: きらきら (sparklingly)
While 'きらきら' is often used for sparkling, it's the closest in describing bright, reflective light compared to the other options which describe faintness, moisture, or quietness. 「ぎらぎら」 is more intense than 'きらきら', often with a slightly negative or overwhelming nuance.
true false
B2
「ぎらぎら」 can be used to describe the quiet flickering of a candle.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
「ぎらぎら」 describes intense, dazzling light, not a quiet flicker.
true false
B2
A diamond that reflects light very intensely could be described as 「ぎらぎら」.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 참
「ぎらぎら」 is appropriate for describing something that glares or reflects light dazzlingly, like an intensely shining diamond.
true false
B2
「ぎらぎら」 is typically used for a gentle, soft light.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
「ぎらぎら」 conveys a sense of strong, often overwhelming or almost harsh brightness, not gentleness or softness.
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C1
夏の太陽が___と照りつけ、地面は焼けるようだった。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は太陽などが強く照りつける様子を表します。他の選択肢は文脈に合いません。
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C1
彼女の大きなダイヤモンドの指輪が___と輝いていた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は宝石などがまぶしいほど輝く様子を表します。
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C1
砂漠の空は雲一つなく、太陽が___と降り注いでいた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は太陽光が強い様子を表現するのに適切です。
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C1
ショーウィンドウに飾られた金色のアクセサリーが___と光を放っていた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、光を強く反射してまぶしく輝く様子を示します。
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C1
高級車のクロームメッキが___と反射して、目がくらむようだった。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、金属などが強く光を反射する様子を表現するのに使われます。
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C1
真夏の昼下がり、アスファルトの道路は太陽の光を___と照り返していた。
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: ぎらぎら
「ぎらぎら」は、表面が強く光を反射している状況に適しています。
multiple choice
C1
Choose the sentence where 「ぎらぎら」 is used appropriately to describe a strong, dazzling light:
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 夏の太陽がぎらぎらと輝き、汗が止まらなかった。
「ぎらぎら」 describes a strong, glittering, often harsh light. The summer sun fits this description best.
multiple choice
C1
Which of the following best describes the nuance of 「ぎらぎら」 when referring to something's appearance?
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: A dazzling, intense, almost aggressive shimmer.
「ぎらぎら」 implies a very strong, often unpleasantly bright or intense shine.
multiple choice
C1
Select the sentence that uses 「ぎらぎら」 to convey a sense of something being overly showy or ostentatious:
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: その店のショーウィンドウには、ぎらぎらと輝く宝石が飾られていた。
「ぎらぎら」 can also describe something that is excessively flashy or gaudy, often with a slight negative connotation.
true false
C1
「ぎらぎら」 can be used to describe the gentle flicker of candlelight.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
「ぎらぎら」 implies a strong, dazzling light, not a gentle flicker.
true false
C1
It is appropriate to use 「ぎらぎら」 to describe a person's eyes when they are intensely focused or determined.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 참
「ぎらぎら」 can be used to describe eyes that are shining with intense emotion, such as ambition or determination.
true false
C1
「ぎらぎら」 always has a positive connotation, suggesting beauty and brilliance.
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 거짓
「ぎらぎら」 can sometimes carry a negative connotation, implying something is too flashy or unpleasantly bright.
sentence order
C2
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 太陽が ぎらぎらと 照りつける。
This sentence describes the sun shining intensely.
sentence order
C2
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 夏の暑い日差しが ぎらぎらと アスファルトに反射していた。
This sentence describes the hot summer sun reflecting dazzlingly on the asphalt.
sentence order
C2
아래 단어를 탭해서 문장을 만들어 보세요
정답!아쉬워요. 정답: 彼女の指には ぎらぎらと輝く ダイヤモンドの指輪があった。
This sentence describes a diamond ring shimmering dazzlingly on her finger.
/ 72 correct
Perfect score!
Summary
ぎらぎら describes things that shine very brightly, sometimes unpleasantly so.
