Japanese word

みるみる

Pronunciation

Romajimirumiru

Meaning

  • adverbbefore one's eyes

Example

空がみるみる暗くなりました。sora ga mi ru mi ru kura ku na ri ma shi ta

The sky grew dark before our eyes.

Illustration for みるみる (before one's eyes)

More examples

川の水がみるみる増えています。kawa no mizu ga mi ru mi ru fu e te i ma su

The river is rising rapidly.

Core concept

Describes a change that unfolds so quickly and visibly that its progress can be followed as it happens.

Common phrases

  • みるみる増えるmi ru mi ru fu e ru

    increase rapidly

  • みるみる減るmi ru mi ru he ru

    decrease rapidly

Similar words

どんどんdondon: Describes a change that progresses continuously and rapidly.
ぐんぐんgungun: Describes strong, steady progress or growth that becomes easy to notice.
めきめきmekimeki: Describes a marked improvement that becomes noticeable in a short time.

Definition in Japanese

目の前で見ているうちに、短時間で変化が進むさま。me no mae de mi te i ru u chi ni tan ji kan de hen ka ga susu mu sa ma

Word origin

みるみる (mirumiru) repeats 見る (miru, "to see"), linking rapid change with the act of watching it happen.

Usage tips

  • In conversation, the set phrase みるみるうちに (mirumiru uchi ni) naturally describes a visible change reaching a new state during a short interval, especially in weather or a person's condition.

Other meanings

  • rapidlyadverb

Word lists with this word