振り

ふり
Alternative writings:
JLPT:N1
Frequency:
1

a swinging, shaking, or waving motion (e.g. a wave of the hand); the act or manner of swinging or shaking something.

NounCounter

Examples

彼は手の振りで合図した。

He signaled with a wave of his hand.

犬の尻尾の振りが速くなった。

The dog's tail wagging became faster.

彼女は首のかしげる振りを見せた。

She showed a little head-tilting motion.

2

appearance or behaviour; the way someone presents themselves or acts (often written in kana).

NounUsually Kana

Examples

彼女の振りはいつも落ち着いている。

Her manner is always calm.

面接では誠実な振りをすることが大切だ。

It's important to appear honest at an interview.

彼は上司の前ではいい振りをしているが、本当は違う。

He acts well in front of his boss, but he's different in reality.

3

pretence or feigned behaviour; pretending to be something one is not (often used as '〜の振りをする').

NounUsually Kana

Examples

彼は知らない振りをした。

He pretended not to know.

痛くない振りをして、その場をやり過ごした。

He pretended it didn't hurt and got through the situation.

注意されたとき、彼女は気づかない振りを続けた。

When reprimanded, she continued to pretend she hadn't noticed.

4

a customer who comes to a restaurant, inn, etc. without a reservation or introduction (a drop-in guest).

NounNoun Taking 'の'Usually Kana

Examples

週末は振りで来る客が多く、満席になることがある。

On weekends many customers drop in without reservations, and it can become full.

予約がない振りの客は対応に時間がかかる場合がある。

Dealing with walk-in customers without reservations can sometimes take extra time.

5

postures or poses in dance; movements that are part of choreography.

Noun

Examples

この曲の振りは覚えるのに時間がかかる。

The choreography for this song takes time to learn.

舞の振りを丁寧に練習した。

I practiced the dance postures carefully.

6

a lead-in or setup for a joke, question, etc.; in comedy contexts often written in katakana as フリ.

NounUsually Kana

Examples

漫才では相方のフリに対するツッコミが肝心だ。

In manzai comedy, the retort to the partner's setup is crucial.

その冗談は前振りとしては弱かった。

That joke was a weak lead-in.

7

the unsewn hanging part of a sleeve on traditional Japanese women's garments (a specialized kimono term).

Noun

Examples

この着物は振りが長く、歩くと袖がきれいに揺れる。

This kimono has long hanging sleeves; they sway nicely when you walk.

振りの幅は着物の年代やデザインで変わる。

The length/width of the sleeve hanging varies with the era and design of the kimono.

8

a counter for swords, blades, etc. (used as 〜振り to count swords).

Counter

Examples

古い刀を二振り所持している。

He owns two old swords.

博物館には数振りの刀が展示されている。

Several swords are exhibited in the museum.

Word Relationships