Translation guide
The English verb 'flit' describes light, quick, and often irregular movement. In Japanese, there is no single direct equivalent. The best choice depends on what is moving and the nuance: a small creature darting, a person moving restlessly, or an idea/expression flickering briefly.
Describe a small animal or insect moving in a quick, darting, or fluttering manner.
Literally 'fly around'. Used for birds, insects, or anything that flits about in the air. Emphasizes the active, darting movement.
蝶が花から花へ飛び回っている。
Butterflies are flitting from flower to flower.
Describes small, quick, restless movements, often on the ground or a surface. Suitable for small animals like mice or birds hopping about.
小鳥が庭をちょこちょこ動いている。
A small bird is flitting about the garden.
Emphasizes a light, fluttering flight like a butterfly or a falling leaf. 'ひらひら' is an onomatopoeia for fluttering.
蛾が灯りの周りをひらひら飛んでいる。
A moth is flitting around the light.
Describe a person moving restlessly or quickly between locations, often with a sense of aimlessness or busyness.
Means 'to move around here and there'. Captures the restless, flitting quality of a person who can't stay still.
彼は部屋の中をあちこち動き回っていた。
He was flitting around the room.
Describes fidgety, restless movement, often in a small area. Implies a slightly annoying or busybody manner.
子供たちがちょこまか動いて落ち着かない。
The kids are flitting about and can't settle down.
Describe something intangible like a smile, thought, or shadow appearing and disappearing quickly.
'ちらりと' means 'for a moment' or 'fleetingly'. Used for expressions or thoughts that briefly appear on someone's face or mind.
彼女の顔に笑みがちらりと浮かんだ。
A smile flitted across her face.
'かすかに' means 'faintly'. Suitable for a very subtle, fleeting expression.
彼の顔に困惑の色がかすかに浮かんだ。
A look of confusion flitted across his face.
'よぎる' means 'to cross (one's mind)' or 'to flash through'. Used for thoughts or feelings that pass quickly.
不安が一瞬よぎった。
A feeling of anxiety flitted through me.
English 'flit' covers a range of quick, light movements. Japanese uses different verbs and adverbs depending on the subject and context. Avoid trying to translate 'flit' directly with one word.