JLPT N3 Vocabulary – The difference between “きらきら” and “ぴかぴか”

Table of Contents

1. The difference between “きらきら” and “ぴかぴか”
2. きらきら
3. ぴかぴか
4. Summary
5. Quiz
6. Similar Articles
7. Comments

Q: Are “きらきら” and “ぴかぴか” the same?

A: Both have the meaning of “to shine” or “to sparkle,” but they are used in slightly different situations.
Let’s take a closer look.

きらきら (JLPT N3)

[Main Usage]
[V] Verb
きらきら + する・している
きらきら（と）+ Verb
[N] Noun　
きらきら + の + Noun
きらきらだ

[Examples]　
ピアスがきらきらしていますね。
Your earrings are sparkling.

ダイヤの指輪ゆびわがきらきらと輝かがやいています。
The diamond ring is glittering.

きらきらの石いしを見みつけました。
I found a glittering stone.

今日きょうは星ほしがきらきらですね。
The stars are sparkling tonight.

“きらきら” describes a state where small points of light continue to shine beautifully.
Rather than a strong light, it gives the image of fine, bright, beautiful light.

[Commonly used for ①]
Stars, jewels, glossy objects, etc.
It is often used for things that shine naturally.

[Examples]　　　
星ほしがきらきら輝かがやいています。
The stars are shining brightly.

このダイヤモンド、きらきらだね。
This diamond is so sparkly.

海うみが太陽たいようの光ひかりできらきらしています。
The sea is sparkling in the sunlight.

[Commonly used for ②]
People, eyes, etc.
In this case, it expresses that the person has hope or dreams and looks bright and positive.

[Examples]　
新入社員はやる気にあふれて、きらきらしています。
The new employee is full of energy and enthusiasm.

子こどもの目めはきらきらしています。
The child’s eyes are sparkling with excitement.

彼女かのじょは夢ゆめを話はなすとき、目めがきらきらします。
Her eyes sparkle when she talks about her dream.

ぴかぴか (JLPT N3)

[Main Usage]
[V] Verb
ぴかぴか + する・している
ぴかぴか（と）+ Verb
[N] Noun　
ぴかぴか + の + Noun
ぴかぴかだ

[Examples]
あそこで雷かみなりがぴかぴかしています。
Lightning is flashing over there.

何なにかがぴかぴか光ひかっています。
Something is shining brightly.

ぴかぴかの靴くつですね。
Those are shiny shoes.

床ゆかをぞうきんで拭ふいてぴかぴかです。
The floor is sparkling clean after I wiped it.

“ぴかぴか” describes a state where something shines strongly.
It is also used for things that are new, or things that have become very clean after being cleaned.
Compared to “きらきら,” it gives the image of a stronger, clearer light.

[Commonly used for ①]
Lightning, lights, etc.
“ぴかぴか” is used for things that give off a strong light, such as lightning or lights.
In particular, “ぴかぴか光る” can describe something flashing on and off.

[Examples]
雷かみなりがぴかぴか光ひかっていて怖こわいな。
The lightning is flashing and it’s scary.
　　　　
ライトがぴかぴかしていて、目めが痛いたいです。

The light is flashing, and it hurts my eyes.

このおもちゃ、ぴかぴか光ひかっておもしろいね。
This toy flashes and it’s really fun.

[Commonly used for ②]
New things.
It is also used for things that are new and clean.
It is especially easy to use for glossy things such as shoes, cars, school backpacks, and furniture.

[Examples]
この車くるまは先月せんげつ買かったばかりでぴかぴかです。
This car is brand new, we just bought it last month, and it’s shiny.

子こどもはぴかぴかのランドセルを背負せおっています。
The child is carrying a brand-new, shiny school backpack.

入学にゅうがく式しきの日ひ、彼かれはぴかぴかの靴くつを履いていました。

On the entrance ceremony day, he was wearing brand-new shiny shoes.

[Commonly used for ③]
Things that have become clean after being cleaned.
“ぴかぴか” is also used to describe something that was dirty but has become very clean after being cleaned or polished.
In this case, people often say “ぴかぴかになる.”

[Examples]　　
鏡かがみを拭ふいたらぴかぴかになりました。
The mirror became shiny after I wiped it.

この洗剤せんざいを使つかうと、お皿さらがぴかぴかになりますよ。

If you use this detergent, your dishes will become shiny.

部屋へやを掃除そうじしたので、床ゆかがぴかぴかです。
I cleaned the room, so the floor is sparkling clean.

Summary

[きらきら]

• A state where small points of light continue to shine beautifully.
• Often used for stars, jewels, the sea, accessories, etc.
• When used for people or eyes, it expresses that they have hope or dreams and look bright and positive.
• It gives the image of fine light shining beautifully.

[ぴかぴか]

• A state where something is shining strongly.
• Used for lightning, lights, toys, etc.
• Also used for things that are new and clean.
• Also used for things that have become very clean after cleaning or washing.
• It gives the image of a strong light, or a surface shining cleanly.

Quiz

Read the following sentence and choose the expression that fits the context from the options provided in the parentheses.

Click on the question to check the answer.

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