Translation guide
Describes a state of low energy, sluggishness, or lack of motivation. Japanese expressions range from physical drowsiness to emotional apathy.
Feeling heavy, slow, or sleepy due to tiredness, heat, or illness.
Common adjective for physical sluggishness or heaviness, often from fatigue, sickness, or heat.
Lacking motivation, feeling indifferent, or emotionally flat.
Moving or reacting slowly, lacking energy in action.
Adjective for slow, sluggish movement or action. Can refer to people, animals, or processes.
だるい is the most common word for physical lethargy (tired, heavy). けだるい adds a nuance of languid pleasantness. 無気力 is for mental/emotional apathy and lack of motivation.
熱でだるい。
I feel lethargic from the fever.
休日のけだるい午後。
A languid holiday afternoon.
無気力な生活。
A lethargic (apathetic) life.
今日は体がだるい。
I feel lethargic today.
風邪でだるくて起きられない。
I'm so lethargic from a cold that I can't get up.
Similar to だるい but with a nuance of languidness or listlessness, often used for a pleasant tiredness or lazy atmosphere.
春の午後はけだるい。
Spring afternoons make me feel languid.
Literally 'body is heavy', used when feeling physically weighed down and lacking energy.
寝不足で体が重い。
My body feels heavy from lack of sleep.
Noun/na-adjective meaning apathy or lack of motivation. Often used for a state of emotional lethargy.
彼は無気力で何もしたがらない。
He is lethargic and doesn't want to do anything.
無気力感に襲われる。
I'm overcome by a feeling of lethargy.
Common phrase meaning 'can't muster motivation'. Used when feeling mentally lethargic or unmotivated.
最近やる気が出なくて困っている。
Lately I've been feeling lethargic and it's troubling.
Noun meaning a sense of weariness or lassitude, both physical and mental. Slightly formal.
倦怠感が抜けない。
I can't shake this feeling of lethargy.
亀は動きがのろい。
Turtles are sluggish in their movements.
今日は頭の回転がのろい。
My thinking is sluggish today.