How to say "blink" in Japanese

• 瞬きまばたきJLPT N1approx.
  noun, suru verb, intransitive verbA noun for the blink itself: the act of blinking the eyes, or a wink. Use it when English 'blink' is a thing rather than an action; it is less common than the verb 瞬く.
  彼女かのじょはまばたきして涙なみだを止とめようとした。↗

  She blinked to stop the tears.
• ブリンク
  nounA katakana loanword that simply transliterates 'blink'. It is uncommon, and for the blinking of a person's eyes the native verb 瞬く is the usual choice, so this word is seldom the one you need.
• 瞬ぐまじろぐ
  godan verb, intransitive verbA less common verb meaning to wink, blink, twinkle, or flicker. For the ordinary blinking of the eyes it is seldom the word you want — 瞬く is the common verb for that.
• 瞬くまたたくCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe common verb for the eye sense: to blink (one's eyes), to wink, or to bat the eyes. When English 'blink' is about a person's eyes, this is usually the word you want.

For the eyes, the common verb 「瞬く」 is the usual choice and the noun 「瞬き」 names the act itself; 「ブリンク」 is an uncommon direct loanword, while 「瞬ぐ」, which also means twinkle and flicker, is seldom needed.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 瞬きまばたきblink (of eyes)
• ブリンクblink
• 瞬ぐまじろぐto wink
• 瞬くまたたくto blink (one's eyes)