じろじろ in 30 Seconds
- じろじろ describes an impolite, fixed stare.
- It implies making someone uncomfortable.
- Use it when someone looks intently without breaking eye contact.
- Avoid it for casual or polite glances.
Understanding じろじろ (Jirojiro)
The Japanese adverb じろじろ (jirojiro) describes the act of staring intently or fixedly at someone or something. It's often used to convey a sense of impoliteness or intrusiveness because staring can make people feel uncomfortable or scrutinized. Imagine someone looking at you with wide, unblinking eyes, not breaking their gaze. That's the kind of action じろじろ captures. It's not just a casual glance; it's a prolonged and often unwelcome examination.
- Usage Contexts
- People might stare じろじろ at someone who is dressed unusually, acting strangely, or perhaps if they are a foreigner in a less diverse area. It can also be used when someone is intensely focused on an object, like a piece of art or a delicious meal, though this usage is less common and usually implies an almost obsessive focus.
- Nuance of Impoliteness
- The key takeaway with じろじろ is its negative connotation. While in some cultures, direct eye contact can be a sign of attentiveness, in Japan, prolonged staring, especially without a clear reason, is generally considered rude. It can make the person being stared at feel self-conscious and uneasy. This is why it's often paired with expressions of disapproval or discomfort.
知らない人にじろじろ見られると、少し怖い気持ちになります。
彼は新しい携帯電話をじろじろ見ていた。
- Visualizing the Action
- Imagine a child pointing at something unusual and their parent quickly telling them, "Don't stare!" The act the child was doing, or was about to do, is often described with じろじろ. It's an action that draws attention to itself and can be perceived as rude by the person being observed. This adverb emphasizes the manner of looking – not just looking, but looking intently and perhaps inappropriately.
- Beyond People
- While most commonly associated with staring at people, じろじろ can also describe staring intently at objects. For instance, if someone is admiring a piece of jewelry or examining a complex mechanism, they might be described as looking at it じろじろ. However, even in these cases, there's often an implication of intense focus that might border on being overly absorbed or even slightly odd. The context is crucial for determining the exact nuance.
Constructing Sentences with じろじろ
The adverb じろじろ (jirojiro) typically modifies verbs, indicating the manner in which an action is performed. It's often placed before the verb it modifies. Understanding its placement is key to using it correctly in sentences. Since it describes an action, it usually follows the subject or topic of the sentence and precedes the verb that describes the staring behavior.
- Basic Sentence Structure
- The most common structure is: [Subject/Topic] は/が じろじろ [Verb]. For example, 「彼が私をじろじろ見ていた。」 (Kare ga watashi o jirojiro mite ita.) - He was staring at me.
- Adding Context and Nuance
- You can add phrases to explain why someone is staring or the reaction to being stared at. For instance, 「変な服を着ていたので、みんなにじろじろ見られた。」 (Hen na fuku o kite ita node, minna ni jirojiro mirareta.) - Because I was wearing strange clothes, everyone stared at me.
子供は珍しい車をじろじろ見ていた。
彼女は新しいアクセサリーをじろじろ眺めていた。
- Using with Different Verb Tenses
- じろじろ can be used with various verb tenses. For example, in the past continuous tense: 「彼は私の顔をじろじろ見ていた。」 (Kare wa watashi no kao o jirojiro mite ita.) - He was staring at my face. In the present progressive: 「彼女は展示品をじろじろ見ている。」 (Kanojo wa tenjihin o jirojiro mite iru.) - She is staring at the exhibit.
- Expressing Discomfort
- Often, the use of じろじろ implies the speaker's or subject's discomfort. 「知らない人にじろじろ見られるのは嫌だ。」 (Shiranai hito ni jirojiro mirareru no wa iya da.) - I don't like being stared at by strangers.
Real-Life Scenarios for じろじろ
The adverb じろじろ (jirojiro) is quite common in everyday Japanese conversations, particularly when discussing social interactions or personal experiences that involve being observed. You'll often hear it in informal settings, where people are sharing anecdotes or expressing feelings about social situations.
- Everyday Conversations
- Imagine friends chatting about a recent trip. One might say, 「空港で、周りの人にじろじろ見られてちょっと恥ずかしかったよ。」 (Kūkō de, mawari no hito ni jirojiro mirarate chotto hazukashikatta yo.) - At the airport, people around me stared at me, and I felt a bit embarrassed. This is a very typical use case.
- Media and Entertainment
- In dramas, movies, or anime, characters might use じろじろ to describe another character's suspicious or impolite behavior. For example, a character might complain, 「あの男、ずっと私をじろじろ見てるんだけど、どういうつもり？」 (Ano otoko, zutto watashi o jirojiro miteru n da kedo, dōiu tsumori?) - That guy keeps staring at me, what's he up to?
観光客が珍しい着物を着た私をじろじろ見ていた。
子供が初めて見る犬をじろじろ観察していた。
- In Educational Settings
- A teacher might gently admonish a student, 「授業中は先生をじろじろ見ないで、教科書を見てください。」 (Jugyōchū wa sensei o jirojiro minaide, kyōkasho o mite kudasai.) - During class, please don't stare at the teacher; look at your textbook. This highlights the importance of classroom etiquette.
- Describing Curiosity or Fascination
- While often negative, じろじろ can sometimes describe intense curiosity, especially with children. 「子供は初めて見る猫をじろじろ見ていた。」 (Kodomo wa hajimete miru neko o jirojiro mite ita.) - The child was staring intently at the cat they saw for the first time. Here, it implies deep interest rather than rudeness.
Avoiding Pitfalls with じろじろ
When learning Japanese, learners might sometimes misuse adverbs or misunderstand their nuances. For じろじろ (jirojiro), the most common mistake is often related to its implied impoliteness and the intensity of the stare.
- Confusing with Casual Looking
- A frequent error is using じろじろ to describe a normal, polite glance. For example, saying 「友達をじろじろ見た。」 (Tomodachi o jirojiro mita.) when you simply looked at your friend casually. The word implies a prolonged, fixed, and often unwelcome gaze. If the look was friendly or brief, other words or phrases would be more appropriate.
- Ignoring the Negative Connotation
- Learners might use じろじろ in situations where a neutral or even positive description of looking is intended. For instance, describing someone admiring a piece of art. While technically possible, it carries a nuance of being overly fixated. If the intention is simply admiration, words like 「じっくり見る」 (jikkuri miru - to look carefully) might be better. The key is that じろじろ often makes the person being stared at uncomfortable.
Mistake: 彼は私をじろじろ微笑んだ。(He stared at me and smiled.)
Mistake: 私は景色をじろじろ見た。(I stared at the scenery.)
- Overuse
- Some learners might overuse じろじろ to describe any kind of focused looking. This can make their Japanese sound unnatural or overly negative. For instance, describing a chef intently watching a cooking demonstration as 「シェフはデモンストレーションをじろじろ見ていた。」 might imply the chef was being rude or overly critical, rather than professionally focused.
- Incorrect Verb Collocation
- While じろじろ typically modifies verbs like 見る (miru) or 眺める (nagameru), learners might incorrectly try to use it with verbs that don't involve visual perception, or verbs where the adverb doesn't fit the meaning. For example, 「彼は私をじろじろ話した。」 (Kare wa watashi o jirojiro hanashita.) would be nonsensical, as you cannot 'stare' while speaking.
Distinguishing じろじろ from Other Expressions
Understanding the nuances between similar words is crucial for accurate and natural Japanese expression. While じろじろ (jirojiro) specifically denotes impolite, fixed staring, several other words describe different ways of looking.
- じろじろ (Jirojiro) vs. きょろきょろ (Kyoro-kyoro)
- じろじろ means to stare fixedly, often uncomfortably. きょろきょろ, on the other hand, describes looking around nervously or restlessly, like someone who is lost or trying to find something or someone.
Example (じろじろ): 「彼は私をじろじろ見ていた。」 (He was staring at me.)
Example (きょろきょろ): 「初めての場所で、彼はきょろきょろしていた。」 (In the unfamiliar place, he was looking around nervously.) - じろじろ (Jirojiro) vs. ちらちら (Chirachira)
- ちらちら describes looking quickly and intermittently, often trying not to be noticed, or seeing something appear and disappear. It's about fleeting glances.
Example (じろじろ): 「変な男が私をじろじろ見ていた。」 (A strange man was staring at me fixedly.)
Example (ちらちら): 「会議中、彼は時計をちらちら見ていた。」 (During the meeting, he kept glancing at his watch.)
じろじろ (stare intently, often impolite) vs. じっくり (look carefully, deliberately)
じろじろ (stare intently, often impolite) vs. ぼんやり (vaguely, absentmindedly)
- Alternatives for Polite or Neutral Looking
- If you want to describe looking carefully or with interest, you might use:
- じっくり (jikkuri): to look carefully, thoroughly. 「資料をじっくり見た。」 (I looked at the documents carefully.)
- 眺める (nagameru): to gaze at, to view. This is often used for pleasant sights. 「夕日を眺めた。」 (I gazed at the sunset.)
- 見る (miru): the general verb 'to see' or 'to look'. Can be modified by other adverbs for specific nuances. - Expressing Suspicious Looking
- While じろじろ implies impoliteness, if you want to specifically convey a suspicious or scrutinizing look, you might combine it with context or use phrases like 「怪しく見る」 (ayashiku miru - to look suspiciously). However, じろじろ itself carries a strong enough negative weight in most contexts.
How Formal Is It?
Fun Fact
Many Japanese adverbs describing actions or states are formed by repeating a syllable or a short word, often with the addition of 'to' (と) when used adverbially. Examples include きらきら (kirakira - sparkling), うろうろ (urouro - wandering aimlessly), and じろじろ itself. This repetition helps convey the continuous or intense nature of the action.
Pronunciation Guide
- Pronouncing 'ji' as a hard 'j' (like 'judge'). It's softer, more like 'gi' in 'gift'.
- Pronouncing 'ro' as a strong 'r' (like in English 'red'). The Japanese 'r' is a flap, similar to the 'tt' in 'butter' or the 'dd' in 'ladder'.
- Not giving enough emphasis to the repetition, making it sound like a single word rather than two distinct 'jiro' sounds.
Difficulty Rating
CEFR A2 level. Understanding the core meaning of 'staring' is straightforward, but grasping the nuance of impoliteness and the specific contexts where it's used requires more exposure. Recognizing it in written text is generally manageable for A2 learners.
A2 level. Learners can start using it correctly in simple sentences describing direct observations. Overuse or misuse in situations requiring more neutral vocabulary might occur.
A2 level. Learners can attempt to use it to describe observed actions, but might hesitate due to the negative connotation or struggle to recall it spontaneously in conversation.
A2 level. It's frequently used in spoken Japanese, especially in informal contexts, so learners should be able to recognize it when heard.
What to Learn Next
Prerequisites
Learn Next
Advanced
Grammar to Know
The use of adverbs with verbs.
じろじろ is an adverb that modifies verbs like 見る (miru - to see) or 眺める (nagameru - to gaze). It describes the manner in which the action is performed. For example, 'じろじろ見る' means 'to stare intently'.
Passive voice (受身形 - ukemi-kei).
When someone is stared at, the passive form is used: じろじろ見られる (jirojiro mirareru - to be stared at). For example, '知らない人にじろじろ見られた。(I was stared at by a stranger.)'
Onomatopoeia and mimetic words (擬音語・擬態語 - giongo/gitaigo).
じろじろ is a mimetic word that imitates the action of staring. Many Japanese words describe sensory experiences and actions vividly through sound and repetition, like きらきら (kirakira - sparkling) or うろうろ (urouro - wandering).
Using ～てしまう (te shimau) to express completion or regret.
思わずじろじろ見てしまった。(Omowazu jirojiro mite shimatta.) - I unintentionally ended up staring.
Using ～ように (yō ni) for comparison or manner.
まるで宝物を見るようにじろじろ見ていた。(Marude takaramono o miru yō ni jirojiro mite ita.) - He was staring intently as if looking at a treasure.
Examples by Level
猫が私をじろじろ見ていた。
The cat was staring at me.
じろじろ modifies the verb 見ていた (mite ita - was looking).
子供が新しいおもちゃをじろじろ見ていた。
The child was staring intently at the new toy.
じろじろ describes the manner of looking.
知らない人にじろじろ見られるのは嫌だ。
I don't like being stared at by strangers.
Passive form 見られる (mirareru - to be seen/looked at).
彼は絵をじろじろ見ていた。
He was staring at the painting.
じろじろ emphasizes the fixed gaze.
変な服を着て、みんなにじろじろ見られた。
I wore strange clothes and was stared at by everyone.
Passive form 見られた (mirareta - was seen/looked at).
彼女は新しいバッグをじろじろ見ていた。
She was staring intently at the new bag.
じろじろ indicates prolonged visual attention.
道を聞くとき、相手をじろじろ見てはいけない。
When asking for directions, you shouldn't stare at the other person.
Negative imperative form ～てはいけない (te wa ikenai - must not).
その怪獣をみんながじろじろ見ていた。
Everyone was staring intently at that monster.
じろじろ highlights the intense observation.
新しいカフェのメニューをじろじろ見て、何を注文するか決めた。
I stared intently at the new cafe's menu and decided what to order.
じろじろ modifies the verb 見て (mite - looking).
初めて見る外国の料理に、子供たちはじろじろと興味を示していた。
The children showed intense interest, staring intently at the foreign food they saw for the first time.
じろじろと adds emphasis to the manner of looking.
彼は、彼女の派手な髪の色をじろじろ見て、少し驚いた顔をした。
He stared intently at her flashy hair color and made a slightly surprised face.
じろじろ describes the action of looking.
旅行中、現地の文化に馴染めない自分を、地元の人々がじろじろ見ているように感じた。
During my trip, I felt like the local people were staring intently at me, feeling out of place.
じろじろ implies the perceived impolite gaze.
展示されている古い時計の精巧な作りを、彼はじろじろと観察していた。
He was intently observing the intricate craftsmanship of the antique clock on display.
じろじろと emphasizes the detailed observation.
彼の奇妙な行動に、周りの人々は顔をしかめながらじろじろ見ていた。
At his strange behavior, the people around were staring intently, frowning.
じろじろ combined with 顔をしかめながら (kao o shikamenagara - while frowning).
新しいスマートフォンの機能をじろじろ試しているうちに、時間が経つのを忘れてしまった。
While intently trying out the functions of the new smartphone, I forgot about the passage of time.
じろじろ describes the focused testing.
劇場で、前の席の人が携帯電話をじろじろ見ていたので、集中できなかった。
In the theater, the person in the seat in front of me was staring intently at their phone, so I couldn't concentrate.
じろじろ indicates the distracting, fixed gaze.
彼の突然の告白に、皆が驚いて彼をじろじろと見つめた。
At his sudden confession, everyone was surprised and stared intently at him.
じろじろと emphasizes the prolonged, surprised gaze.
街角で、派手な衣装を着たパフォーマーが通行人をじろじろと惹きつけていた。
On the street corner, a performer in flamboyant costume was intently attracting the attention of passersby.
じろじろと suggests the performer's presence commanded a fixed gaze.
その遺跡の複雑な彫刻を、考古学者はルーペを使ってじろじろと調べていた。
The archaeologist was intently examining the intricate carvings of the ancient ruins using a magnifying glass.
じろじろと implies a detailed, focused examination.
初めて訪れた美術館で、私は一枚の絵に心を奪われ、しばらくの間じろじろと眺めていた。
In the art museum I visited for the first time, I was captivated by one painting and gazed at it intently for a while.
じろじろと describes the captivated, prolonged viewing.
夜遅く、人気のない通りで誰かにじろじろ見られているような気がして、足早に家路を急いだ。
Late at night, on a deserted street, I felt like someone was staring intently at me, so I hurried home.
じろじろ indicates the unnerving, fixed stare.
新しい技術のデモンストレーションを、参加者たちは固唾を飲んでじろじろと見守っていた。
The participants watched the demonstration of the new technology intently, holding their breath.
じろじろと describes the intense, captivated observation.
彼女のプロフェッショナルなプレゼンテーションに、聴衆は感心してじろじろと聞き入っていた。
At her professional presentation, the audience listened intently, impressed.
じろじろと suggests a focused, impressed gaze.
子供が初めて見る動物園の象を、目を輝かせながらじろじろ見ていた。
The child was staring intently at the elephant at the zoo, eyes shining, seeing it for the first time.
じろじろと emphasizes the child's fascinated gaze.
その異様な服装の旅行者は、周囲の好奇の視線に気づきながらも、平然と街をじろじろと見て回っていた。
The traveler in the unusual attire, while aware of the curious stares from those around, calmly looked around the city intently.
じろじろと implies a deliberate, perhaps defiant, observation despite attention.
会議の進行を妨げるほどの熱心さで、彼は競合他社の新製品のデモをじろじろと分析していた。
With an intensity that threatened to disrupt the meeting's progress, he was intently analyzing the competitor's new product demo.
じろじろと suggests a highly analytical and fixed gaze.
彼女は、長年探し求めていた希少な古書を、指先でそっとページをめくりながら、じろじろと眺めていた。
She gazed intently at the rare old book she had been searching for years, gently turning the pages with her fingertips.
じろじろと denotes a deep, focused appreciation and examination.
その地域に伝わる伝統的な祭りの様子を、彼はカメラのファインダー越しにじろじろと捉えようとした。
He tried to capture the scene of the traditional festival of that region intently through his camera's viewfinder.
じろじろと implies a determined effort to capture every detail.
彼は、長年培ってきた職人技の粋を集めたその作品を、畏敬の念を込めてじろじろと見つめていた。
He gazed intently at the work, which represented the pinnacle of craftsmanship honed over many years, with a sense of awe.
じろじろと conveys a profound and prolonged admiration.
突然の停電で、暗闇の中で皆が互いの顔をじろじろと見つめ合い、不安を募らせていた。
Due to the sudden power outage, in the darkness, everyone stared intently at each other's faces, their anxiety growing.
じろじろと highlights the intense, uncertain gaze amidst fear.
その科学者は、顕微鏡を通して細胞分裂の驚異的なプロセスを、息をのんでじろじろと観察していた。
The scientist, holding their breath, was intently observing the astonishing process of cell division through the microscope.
じろじろと describes the focused, awe-inspired observation.
彼は、長年夢見てきたオーロラを初めて見たとき、言葉を失い、ただただ空をじろじろと見上げていた。
When he saw the aurora borealis for the first time, which he had dreamed of for years, he was speechless and simply kept looking up at the sky intently.
じろじろと emphasizes the overwhelming, sustained gaze of wonder.
その演出家の意図を汲み取ろうと、俳優たちは舞台上の微細な動きの一つ一つをじろじろと注視していた。
Trying to grasp the director's intent, the actors intently scrutinized every minute movement on stage.
じろじろと implies a deep, analytical observation for interpretation.
彼女は、長年かけて収集した美術品の数々を、一つ一つ丹念に、そして時には感傷的にじろじろと眺め返していた。
She gazed intently, meticulously, and sometimes sentimentally, at each of the numerous artworks she had collected over many years.
じろじろと suggests a prolonged, reflective, and detailed examination.
その政治家は、記者会見で投げかけられる質問の裏に隠された意図を読み取ろうと、記者たちをじろじろと品定めするように見ていた。
The politician looked intently, as if sizing up the reporters, trying to discern the hidden intentions behind the questions posed at the press conference.
じろじろと implies a shrewd, analytical, and potentially judgmental gaze.
彼は、長年封印されていた家族の秘密が隠されていると噂される古い日記帳を、震える手で開いては、インクの染み一つも見逃すまいとじろじろと眺めた。
He opened the old diary, rumored to contain long-sealed family secrets, with trembling hands, and gazed at it intently, determined not to miss a single ink stain.
じろじろと conveys extreme focus and meticulousness in searching for hidden information.
その指揮者は、オーケストラの各楽器奏者が発する微妙な音色の変化を捉えようと、彼らをじろじろと鋭く見つめていた。
The conductor intently and sharply observed the musicians of the orchestra, trying to capture the subtle changes in timbre produced by each instrument.
じろじろと suggests a highly critical and focused observation for artistic control.
彼女は、長年憧れていた作家のサイン会で、その人物の筆跡を、まるで宝物でも見るかのようにじろじろと見つめていた。
At the book signing event of the author she had admired for years, she gazed intently at their handwriting, as if looking at a treasure.
じろじろと expresses profound admiration and focused attention on a cherished detail.
その探偵は、現場に残されたわずかな証拠品を、まるでパズルのピースを組み合わせるように、じろじろと注意深く調べていた。
The detective meticulously examined the few pieces of evidence left at the scene, staring intently as if piecing together a puzzle.
じろじろと implies a sharp, analytical, and thorough investigation of clues.
彼は、長年夢にまで見た故郷の風景を、目に焼き付けるように、ただただじろじろと見上げていた。
He simply kept looking up intently at the scenery of his hometown, which he had dreamed of for years, as if imprinting it onto his memory.
じろじろと conveys an overwhelming, sustained gaze of deep emotional connection and memorization.
その芸術家は、キャンバス上の色彩の相互作用を捉えようと、筆の運び一つに至るまで、自身の作品を執拗にじろじろと見つめ直していた。
The artist intently and relentlessly re-examined their own work, down to every brushstroke, trying to capture the interplay of colors on the canvas.
じろじろと suggests an obsessive, critical, and prolonged self-evaluation.
彼女は、長年研究してきた古代文明の遺物から、失われた言語の鍵となる碑文を読み解こうと、その微細な象形文字をじろじろと凝視していた。
She intently stared at the minute hieroglyphs on the artifact from the ancient civilization she had studied for years, attempting to decipher the inscription that held the key to the lost language.
じろじろと implies an extremely focused, scholarly, and persistent examination for decipherment.
その批評家は、新進気鋭の作家のデビュー作に込められたメッセージの深層を暴こうと、ページをめくるたびに、その緻密な文章表現をじろじろと分析していた。
The critic, seeking to expose the deeper message within the debut work of an emerging writer, intently analyzed the meticulous prose with every page turn.
じろじろと denotes a sharp, analytical, and critical examination of literary text.
彼は、故郷の変わり果てた姿を目の当たりにし、かつての面影を探そうと、見慣れたはずの景色を、まるで初めて見るかのようにじろじろと見渡していた。
Witnessing the drastically changed appearance of his hometown, he surveyed the once-familiar landscape intently, as if seeing it for the first time, trying to find remnants of its past.
じろじろと conveys a profound, searching gaze filled with nostalgia and recognition of change.
その科学者は、未知の現象のメカニズムを解明するため、実験結果のデータを、これまで誰も気づかなかったパターンを見つけ出そうと、血眼になってじろじろと眺めていた。
The scientist, desperately trying to uncover patterns no one had noticed before, intently scrutinized the experimental data, seeking to unravel the mechanism of the unknown phenomenon.
じろじろと implies an obsessive, almost desperate, and highly focused examination for discovery.
彼女は、長年封印されていた禁断の書物に記された暗号を解読しようと、その異様な文字群を、まるで聖典を読むかのように、数日間にわたりじろじろと見つめ続けた。
She continued to stare intently at the strange script of the forbidden tome, rumored to be sealed for years, for several days, as if reading a sacred text, attempting to decipher its code.
じろじろと conveys an extreme, prolonged, and almost reverent fixation on deciphering cryptic information.
その指揮者は、オーケストラの演奏の完璧な調和を追求するため、奏者一人ひとりの表情や指先の動きに至るまで、彼らを執拗にじろじろと監視していた。
The conductor relentlessly and intently monitored each musician, down to their facial expressions and fingertip movements, in pursuit of the orchestra's perfect harmonic balance.
じろじろと suggests an obsessive, meticulous, and controlling observation for artistic perfection.
彼は、かつて愛した女性の面影を追い求め、彼女がよく訪れていたという古いカフェの窓辺に座り、行き交う人々を、彼女ではないかと期待と失望を交錯させながら、じろじろと見つめていた。
In pursuit of the lingering image of the woman he once loved, he sat by the window of an old cafe she used to frequent, intently watching the passersby, his heart oscillating between hope and disappointment, wondering if it might be her.
じろじろと captures the prolonged, emotionally charged, and searching gaze driven by longing and uncertainty.
Common Collocations
Common Phrases
— Please don't stare at me.
知らない人にじろじろ見ないでください。怖いです。(Shiranai hito ni jirojiro minaide kudasai. Kō desu.) - Please don't stare at me, stranger. It's scary.
— I was embarrassed because I was being stared at.
新しい服を着て街を歩いていたら、じろじろ見られて恥ずかしかった。(Atarashii fuku o kite machi o aruite itara, jirojiro mirarate hazukashikatta.) - When I walked around town wearing my new clothes, I was stared at and felt embarrassed.
— He was staring intently at her.
レストランで、彼は隣の席の彼女をじろじろ見ていた。(Resutoran de, kare wa tonari no seki no kanojo o jirojiro mite ita.) - At the restaurant, he was staring intently at the woman at the next table.
— A child was staring.
初めて見る犬に、子供がじろじろ見ていた。(Hajimete miru inu ni, kodomo ga jirojiro mite ita.) - The child was staring intently at the dog they saw for the first time.
— To observe intently.
科学者は顕微鏡で細胞をじろじろと観察していた。(Kagakusha wa kenbikyo de saibō o jirojiro to kansatsu shite ita.) - The scientist was intently observing the cells under the microscope.
— To gaze at intently.
彼は夕日をじろじろと眺めていた。(Kare wa yūhi o jirojiro to nagamete ita.) - He was gazing intently at the sunset.
— Don't stare, listen to me properly.
先生は生徒に「じろじろ見ないで、ちゃんと話を聞いてください」と言った。(Sensei wa seito ni 'jirojiro minaide, chanto hanashi o kiite kudasai' to itta.) - The teacher told the student, 'Don't stare, listen to me properly.'
— They were staring intently at his strange behavior.
周りの人々は、彼の奇妙な行動をじろじろ見ていた。(Mawari no hitobito wa, kare no kimyō na kōdō o jirojiro mite ita.) - The people around were staring intently at his strange behavior.
— To size up intently.
彼は新しい顧客をじろじろと値踏みした。(Kare wa atarashii kokyaku o jirojiro to nebiami shita.) - He intently sized up the new customer.
— To stare intently at.
彼女は絵画の細部をじろじろと見つめていた。(Kanojo wa kaiga no saibu o jirojiro to mitsumete ita.) - She was staring intently at the details of the painting.
Often Confused With
じろじろ means to stare fixedly, while きょろきょろ means to look around nervously or restlessly. The former is a focused gaze, the latter is a wandering one.
じろじろ is a prolonged, fixed stare. ちらちら describes quick, intermittent glances, often trying not to be noticed.
While both describe looking intently, まじまじ is generally more neutral and implies close examination or curiosity without the strong negative connotation of impoliteness that じろじろ carries.
Idioms & Expressions
— To stare rudely into someone's eyes, making them uncomfortable.
子供には、人の目をじろじろ見てはいけないと教えるべきだ。(Kodomo ni wa, hito no me o jirojiro mite wa ikenai to oshieru beki da.) - Children should be taught not to stare rudely into other people's eyes.
Informal/Advisory— What can you understand by just staring? (Implies that staring without action or thought is pointless.)
じろじろ見ていても何も解決しないだろう。(Jirojiro mite ite mo nani mo kaiketsu shinai darō.) - Just staring won't solve anything, will it?
Slightly critical/Rhetorical— To stare with great interest and curiosity.
子供たちは初めて見る動物園の動物たちをじろじろと興味津々で見つめていた。(Kodomo-tachi wa hajimete miru dōbutsuen no dōbutsu-tachi o jirojiro to kyōmibunbun de mitsumete ita.) - The children stared intently with great curiosity at the zoo animals they saw for the first time.
Descriptive— To stare suspiciously at someone.
彼は怪しい男をじろじろと怪しんでいた。(Kare wa ayashii otoko o jirojiro to ayashinde ita.) - He was suspiciously staring at the suspicious man.
Negative/Suspicious— To scrutinize or size someone/something up intently.
店員は新しい客をじろじろと品定めしていた。(Ten'in wa atarashii kyaku o jirojiro to shinadameshite ita.) - The store clerk intently sized up the new customer.
Informal/Observational— To watch over someone intently, often with concern or close attention.
母親は子供の初めての試みをじろじろと見守っていた。(Hahaoya wa kodomo no hajimete no kokoromi o jirojiro to mimamotte ita.) - The mother intently watched over her child's first attempt.
Caring/Concerned— A gaze that intensely searches or probes.
彼のじろじろと探るような目つきに、彼女は居心地の悪さを感じた。(Kare no jirojiro to saguru yō na metsuki ni, kanojo wa igokochi no warusa o kanjita.) - She felt uncomfortable with his intensely searching gaze.
Descriptive/Negative— To look around intently, often searching for something specific (like in a store).
彼は店の中をじろじろと物色していた。(Kare wa mise no naka o jirojiro to bussoku shite ita.) - He was intently looking around the store.
Neutral/Searching— To stare intently and become frozen or stunned.
突然の出来事に、彼はじろじろと見つめて固まってしまった。(Totsuzen no dekigoto ni, kare wa jirojiro to mitsumete katamatte shimatta.) - Due to the sudden event, he stared intently and became frozen.
Descriptive/Shocked— To be intently sized up or judged by someone's stare.
新しい環境では、じろじろと値踏みされることが多かった。(Atarashii kankyō de wa, jirojiro to nebiami sareru koto ga ōkatta.) - In the new environment, I was often intently sized up.
Passive/ExperientialEasily Confused
Both describe intense looking.
凝視する is a more neutral verb meaning 'to gaze intently' or 'to stare'. It doesn't inherently carry the implication of impoliteness or making someone uncomfortable, which is central to じろじろ. You might 凝視する at a piece of art or a scientific specimen with concentration, but you would use じろじろ to describe someone staring rudely at you.
彼は顕微鏡で細胞をじろじろ見ていた。(Kare wa kenbikyo de saibō o jirojiro mite ita.) - This sounds odd; it implies the cells were being stared at rudely. Correct would be: 彼は顕微鏡で細胞を凝視していた。(Kare wa kenbikyo de saibō o gyōshi shite ita.) - He was intently gazing at the cells under the microscope.
Both involve prolonged looking.
見つめる means to gaze or stare, and can be used in a variety of contexts, including positive ones like admiring someone or something. It lacks the specific nuance of impoliteness or making the other person uncomfortable that じろじろ strongly implies. While a prolonged stare (見つめる) can become uncomfortable, じろじろ specifically describes that uncomfortable, fixed manner of staring.
彼女は星空を見つめていた。(Kanojo wa hoshizora o mitsumete ita.) - She was gazing at the starry sky. (Neutral/Positive). If she were staring rudely at someone, じろじろ would be more appropriate.
Both describe a type of negative staring.
睨む means to glare, scowl, or look daggers at someone, implying anger, hostility, or strong disapproval. It's an active expression of negative emotion. じろじろ, on the other hand, describes the act of staring fixedly, and the impoliteness or discomfort arises from the prolonged nature of the gaze itself, rather than necessarily an overt expression of anger. You might glare (睨む) at someone who has wronged you, but you might stare (じろじろ) at someone who looks unusual, simply because you can't look away.
彼は怒って私を睨んだ。(Kare wa okotte watashi o niranda.) - He glared at me angrily. (Expressing anger). He might stare at a strange object じろじろ, not necessarily with anger but with intense fixation.
Both describe looking closely and intently.
まじまじ means to look closely, intently, or scrutinizingly, often out of curiosity or interest. It is generally neutral or slightly informal and doesn't carry the strong negative connotation of impoliteness that じろじろ does. You might look at a detailed map まじまじ, or examine a person's unusual accessory まじまじ. じろじろ is used when the staring is prolonged to the point of being uncomfortable or rude.
彼はその珍しい虫をまじまじと観察していた。(Kare wa sono mezurashii mushi o majimaji to kansatsu shite ita.) - He was closely observing the strange insect. (Neutral curiosity). If he were staring rudely at someone, じろじろ would be used.
Both relate to looking.
じろじろ means to stare fixedly for a prolonged period. ちらちら means to glance quickly and intermittently, often trying not to be noticed, or seeing something flash or appear briefly. It's about fleeting, quick looks, the opposite of the sustained gaze of じろじろ.
彼女は時計をちらちら見ていた。(Kanojo wa tokei o chirachira mite ita.) - She kept glancing at her watch. (Quick, intermittent looks). If she were staring intently at someone, it would be じろじろ見ていた.
Sentence Patterns
[Subject] は [Object] を じろじろ 見る。
子供は猫をじろじろ見る。(Kodomo wa neko o jirojiro miru.) - The child stares at the cat.
じろじろ 見ないで。
じろじろ見ないで！(Jirojiro minaide!) - Don't stare!
[Subject] は [Object] を じろじろ 見ていた。
彼は絵をじろじろ見ていた。(Kare wa e o jirojiro mite ita.) - He was staring at the painting.
じろじろ 見られて 恥ずかしかった。
じろじろ見られて恥ずかしかった。(Jirojiro mirarate hazukashikatta.) - I was embarrassed because I was stared at.
[Subject] は [Object] を じろじろと 眺める。
彼女は新しいバッグをじろじろと眺めていた。(Kanojo wa atarashii baggu o jirojiro to nagamete ita.) - She was gazing intently at the new bag.
じろじろ 見るのは 失礼だ。
知らない人をじろじろ見るのは失礼だ。(Shiranai hito o jirojiro miru no wa shitsurei da.) - Staring at strangers is rude.
[Subject] は [Object] を じろじろと 観察する。
科学者はその現象をじろじろと観察していた。(Kagakusha wa sono genshō o jirojiro to kansatsu shite ita.) - The scientist was intently observing the phenomenon.
じろじろ 見られて 不快だった。
彼のじろじろとした視線に不快だった。(Kare no jirojiro to shita shisen ni fukai datta.) - I felt uncomfortable with his intense stare.
Word Family
Verbs
Related
How to Use It
High, especially in spoken Japanese.
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Using じろじろ for polite or neutral observation.
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Use neutral verbs or adverbs like 見る (miru), 眺める (nagameru), or じっくり (jikkuri).
じろじろ specifically implies a prolonged, fixed stare that often makes the observed person uncomfortable or is perceived as impolite. Using it for a casual glance or careful study would be inaccurate and potentially misleading.
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Confusing じろじろ with きょろきょろ.
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じろじろ = fixed stare; きょろきょろ = looking around nervously/restlessly.
じろじろ describes a gaze fixed on one point or person, often uncomfortably. きょろきょろ describes a wandering, anxious gaze as if searching for something or someone. They represent opposite types of looking.
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Using じろじろ when anger or hostility is the primary emotion.
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Use 睨む (niramu) for glaring with anger.
While じろじろ can be uncomfortable, it doesn't necessarily convey anger. 睨む is the verb specifically for glaring with malice or strong negative emotion. じろじろ is about the act of fixed staring itself.
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Overusing じろじろ for any kind of intense looking.
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Consider the social context and the feeling evoked. Use more specific verbs if the impoliteness is not the focus.
Excessive use of じろじろ can make descriptions sound repetitive or overly negative. If the focus is purely on concentration without social awkwardness, words like 凝視する (gyōshi suru) or まじまじ (majimaji) might be better.
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Ignoring the passive form when being stared at.
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Use the passive form じろじろ見られる (jirojiro mirareru).
Often, learners will use the active form 'じろじろ見る' when they are the ones being stared at. It's important to use the passive form to indicate that the action is being done to the subject. For example, '私はじろじろ見られた (I was stared at).'
Tips
Focus on the Feeling
じろじろ is often about the feeling it evokes in the person being stared at – discomfort, awkwardness, or feeling scrutinized. When you use it, think about whether that feeling is present in the situation.
Rhythm and Repetition
The repetition of 'jiro' in じろじろ is key. Practice saying it with a clear rhythm to emphasize the prolonged nature of the stare. Think of it as two distinct 'jiro' sounds linked together.
Context is King
While じろじろ implies impoliteness, it's not always aggressive. It can stem from intense curiosity, especially in children. Always consider the surrounding circumstances to fully grasp its meaning.
Verb Modification
Remember that じろじろ is an adverb and modifies verbs. It typically comes before the verb it describes, like in 'じろじろ見る' (to stare) or 'じろじろ眺める' (to gaze intently).
Mindful Gazing
Japanese culture often values subtlety in social interactions. Be mindful of how your gaze might be perceived. Using じろじろ to describe your own actions can be a way to acknowledge you might have been overstepping social boundaries.
Visual Anchors
Imagine someone with wide, unblinking eyes, like an owl or a cartoon character, fixedly staring. Associate the 'jiro' sound with this fixed, perhaps slightly unnerving, visual.
Sentence Building
Create sentences describing different scenarios: a child staring at a toy, someone being stared at uncomfortably, or an artist intently studying their work. Use じろじろ appropriately in each.
Distinguish from Similar Words
Actively compare じろじろ with words like きょろきょろ (looking around nervously) and ちらちら (glancing quickly) to solidify its specific meaning of a fixed, prolonged stare.
Role-Playing
Imagine a scenario where you are asked not to stare. Practice saying 'じろじろ見ないでください (Jirojiro minaide kudasai)'. This helps internalize the phrase and its imperative form.
Mimetic Origins
Understand that じろじろ is a mimetic word, imitating the action itself. This connection to direct imitation can help remember its vivid descriptive quality.
Memorize It
Mnemonic
Imagine a person named 'Jiro' who is famous for staring at everyone he meets. When people see him approaching, they think, 'Oh no, here comes Jiro, he's going to stare at us again!' So, 'Jiro Jiro' stares.
Visual Association
Picture someone with very large, unblinking eyes, like an owl or a cartoon character, fixedly staring at something. The 'jiro' sound could be imagined as the sound of eyes widening or a fixed gaze.
Word Web
Challenge
Try to describe a situation where someone is staring at you using じろじろ. Then, describe a situation where someone is looking intently at an object, also using じろじろ. Think about the feeling each scenario evokes.
Word Origin
The word じろじろ is an onomatopoeic and mimetic word (擬態語 - gitaigo) in Japanese. It imitates the sound or feeling of staring intently. The repetition of 'jiro' emphasizes the prolonged and fixed nature of the gaze.
Original meaning: The core idea is the sound or sensation associated with a prolonged, unwavering look. It's not derived from a specific older word but developed as an expressive sound to describe this action.
Japonic languagesCultural Context
It's important to be mindful of the negative connotations of じろじろ. When describing someone looking intently, consider if the context implies impoliteness or discomfort. If not, alternatives like じっくり (jikkuri - carefully) or まじまじ (majimaji - closely) might be more appropriate.
In many English-speaking cultures, direct eye contact is often encouraged as a sign of attentiveness, honesty, and confidence. While excessive staring can still be considered rude, the threshold for what constitutes 'staring' might differ. The Japanese concept of じろじろ emphasizes a fixed, often uncomfortable gaze that is more consistently viewed as impolite than prolonged eye contact in many Western contexts.
Practice in Real Life
Real-World Contexts
Observing someone acting strangely.
- 彼は変な行動をしていたので、みんなにじろじろ見られていた。
- その男の様子が変だったので、思わずじろじろ見てしまった。
- じろじろ見ないでください、と言われた。
Being a foreigner in a less diverse area.
- 外国で、じろじろ見られることが多かった。
- 観光地では、珍しい服装の人をじろじろ見る人がいる。
- じろじろ見られて、少し恥ずかしかった。
Admiring or intensely examining an object.
- 彼は新しい車をじろじろ見ていた。
- 子供は初めて見るおもちゃをじろじろ眺めていた。
- その絵の細部をじろじろと観察した。
Expressing discomfort due to being stared at.
- じろじろ見られるのは嫌だ。
- 彼のじろじろとした視線が気になった。
- 知らない人にじろじろ見られて、落ち着かなかった。
Describing intense curiosity.
- 子供は珍しいものにじろじろと興味を示した。
- 彼はその機械の仕組みをじろじろ見ていた。
- じろじろ見て、何だろうと思った。
Conversation Starters
"最近、誰かにじろじろ見られた経験はありますか？どんな状況でしたか？"
"何か面白いものや珍しいものを見て、思わずじろじろ見てしまったことはありますか？"
"子供の頃、じろじろ見られて恥ずかしかった思い出はありますか？"
"もし誰かにじろじろ見られたら、どう対応しますか？"
"外国で、地元の人にじろじろ見られた経験について話してください。"
Journal Prompts
Describe a time you felt uncomfortable because someone was staring at you (じろじろ). What did you do? How did you feel?
Think about an object you were very interested in. How did you look at it? Could you use じろじろ to describe your gaze? Why or why not?
Write a short story where a character's habit of staring (じろじろ) causes a misunderstanding or an interesting encounter.
Reflect on the cultural differences regarding staring. How does the concept of じろじろ compare to staring in your own culture?
Imagine you are a tourist in Japan and notice people staring at you. How would you describe this experience using Japanese vocabulary, including じろじろ if appropriate?
Frequently Asked Questions
10 questionsWhile じろじろ strongly implies impoliteness or making someone uncomfortable due to the fixed and prolonged nature of the stare, context is key. In some cases, especially with children or when observing something fascinating, it can imply intense curiosity rather than pure rudeness. However, as a general rule, it's safer to assume it carries a negative social connotation.
Yes, じろじろ can be used to describe staring intently at objects, especially if the focus is prolonged and perhaps a bit obsessive or overly curious. For example, '彼は新しいガジェットをじろじろ見ていた (He was staring intently at the new gadget).' However, if the looking is neutral and careful, words like じっくり (jikkuri) might be more appropriate.
Both describe looking intently. まじまじ (majimaji) is generally neutral and implies close examination or curiosity, like looking at a detailed map. じろじろ (jirojiro) implies a fixed, prolonged stare that often makes the person being looked at uncomfortable or feels rude. So, while you might look at a painting まじまじ, you would likely describe someone staring rudely at you as じろじろ見ている.
Avoid prolonged, fixed eye contact, especially with strangers or elders. If you are curious about something or someone, try to use brief glances or look at things in a more general way rather than fixing your gaze. If you catch yourself staring, avert your eyes politely. Using じろじろ to describe your own actions would generally be self-deprecating or indicate you realize you were being impolite.
Generally, it's best not to stare (じろじろ) at anyone, including celebrities, as it can make them uncomfortable. While you might be excited, try to show your admiration in a more discreet way. A quick, appreciative glance is usually fine, but a prolonged, fixed stare is best avoided.
The most common verb is 見る (miru - to see/look). Other verbs like 眺める (nagameru - to gaze at), 観察する (kansatsu suru - to observe), or even 品定めする (shinadamesuru - to size up) can also be used with じろじろ to specify the manner of looking.
Yes, if someone is staring intently at their reflection, perhaps critically or with deep thought, they might be described as looking in the mirror じろじろ. For example, '彼は鏡の中の自分をじろじろ見ていた。(He was staring intently at himself in the mirror.)'
Yes, ちらっと (chiratto) means 'glancing quickly'. So, 'じろじろ見る' (staring fixedly) contrasts with 'ちらっと見る' (glancing quickly).
じろじろ is a fixed, intense stare. きょろきょろ (kyoro-kyoro) means looking around restlessly or nervously, like someone who is lost or anxious. It's a wandering gaze, not a fixed one.
You could say: 彼は私をじろじろと怪しむように見ていた。(Kare wa watashi o jirojiro to ayashimu yō ni mite ita.) or simply imply suspicion through context: 彼は私をじろじろ見ていた。(Kare wa watashi o jirojiro mite ita.) - The context would suggest suspicion.
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Summary
じろじろ (jirojiro) is an adverb denoting an impolite, fixed stare that often makes the observed person uncomfortable. It's crucial to distinguish it from neutral or polite ways of looking.
- じろじろ describes an impolite, fixed stare.
- It implies making someone uncomfortable.
- Use it when someone looks intently without breaking eye contact.
- Avoid it for casual or polite glances.
Focus on the Feeling
じろじろ is often about the feeling it evokes in the person being stared at – discomfort, awkwardness, or feeling scrutinized. When you use it, think about whether that feeling is present in the situation.
Rhythm and Repetition
The repetition of 'jiro' in じろじろ is key. Practice saying it with a clear rhythm to emphasize the prolonged nature of the stare. Think of it as two distinct 'jiro' sounds linked together.
Context is King
While じろじろ implies impoliteness, it's not always aggressive. It can stem from intense curiosity, especially in children. Always consider the surrounding circumstances to fully grasp its meaning.
Verb Modification
Remember that じろじろ is an adverb and modifies verbs. It typically comes before the verb it describes, like in 'じろじろ見る' (to stare) or 'じろじろ眺める' (to gaze intently).
Example
人をじろじろ見るのは失礼だ。
Related Content
This Word in Other Languages
Related Phrases
More communication words
について
A2about; concerning
宛先
B1The address or name of the recipient to whom mail or an email is sent.
番地
A2House number
賛同
B1Approval, endorsement; support or agreement with an idea.
~も
A2Too, also.
〜そして
A1And then; and (used to connect sentences or clauses).
〜や
A2And; and so forth (used to list examples, implying others exist).
たり
A2Indicates a non-exhaustive list of actions/states ('and so on').
お知らせ
B1Notice; an announcement or communication.
答え
A2A thing said, written, or done as a reaction to a question or statement.
