How to say "flick" in Japanese

• はじくJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, transitive verbThe common, general verb for flicking, snapping or flipping something with a finger, e.g. flicking a crumb off a table. Usually written in kana alone.
  彼かれは私の顔かおを指先ゆびさきでぽんとはじいた。↗

  He flicked me in the face.
• フリック
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA loanword for the flick gesture on a touchscreen, as when flicking a smartphone screen to scroll. It covers only this sense, not flicking with a physical finger.
• ピクつく
  godan verb, intransitive verbA less common verb for a small twitch or jerk, e.g. of ears; its 'flick' sense is this kind of quick involuntary movement, not a flick made with a finger.
• つまはじき
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA flick of the finger made to express disgust, scorn or disapproval — the contemptuous gesture of flicking something away. Usually written in kana alone; less common.
• 指弾しだん
  noun, suru verb, transitive verbA less common noun for a flick of the finger. Seldom the word learners need; for the action of flicking, the common verb はじく is what you will usually want.

Use 「はじく」 for flicking with a finger, 「フリック」 for touchscreen flicks, 「ピクつく」 for involuntary twitches like a flicking ear, 「つまはじき」 for a scornful flick of disgust, and 指弾 is a less common noun.

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

• はじくto flip
• フリックflick (on a touchscreen)
• ピクつくto twitch (e.g. of ears)
• つまはじきflick (of one's finger; to express disgust, scorn, disapproval, etc.)
• 指弾しだんflick (of the finger)