Translation guide
Describes doing something slowly, without energy, or with delay, often due to tiredness, laziness, or poor conditions.
Express that someone or something is moving, working, or reacting in a slow, lethargic, or unenergetic manner.
An onomatopoeic adverb describing slow, sluggish movement, often of people, animals, or vehicles. Common in spoken and written Japanese.
彼はのろのろと歩いていた。
He was walking sluggishly.
渋滞で車がのろのろ進んでいる。
The cars are moving sluggishly due to the traffic jam.
An onomatopoeic adverb implying sluggishness due to indecision, clumsiness, or lack of efficiency. Often used when someone is slow in getting things done.
彼はいつも仕事がもたもたしている。
He always works sluggishly.
もたもたしないで早く決めてください。
Don't be sluggish; make a decision quickly.
An onomatopoeic adverb for doing something sluggishly over a long period, often with a sense of laziness or lack of purpose. Can also describe a slow, continuous flow.
日曜日は一日中だらだら過ごした。
I spent the whole Sunday sluggishly.
An onomatopoeic adverb for sluggishness caused by hesitation, reluctance, or dawdling. Often used when someone is slow to start or finish something.
ぐずぐずしていると遅刻するよ。
If you keep being sluggish, you'll be late.
An adjective meaning 'dull' or 'slow', often used for sluggish movements, reactions, or mental processes. Can be used adverbially as 鈍く (にぶく).
彼の動きは鈍い。
His movements are sluggish.
Describe a system, economy, market, or process that is slow, stagnant, or lacking vitality.
A phrase meaning 'to be sluggish' or 'to be in a slump', commonly used for economic indicators, business performance, or team standings.
景気が低迷している。
The economy is sluggish.
売り上げが低迷している。
Sales are sluggish.
Means 'to be stagnant' or 'to be sluggish', emphasizing a lack of progress or movement. Used for economies, negotiations, or personal growth.
交渉が停滞している。
Negotiations are progressing sluggishly.
A more formal term meaning 'to slow down' or 'to become sluggish', often used in economic or technical contexts.
経済成長が鈍化している。
Economic growth is sluggish.
Express that someone's mental or physical reactions are slow, dull, or not sharp.
A common phrase meaning 'to have slow reactions' or 'to be sluggish in responding'. Used for both physical and mental responses.
彼は今日は反応が鈍い。
He is reacting sluggishly today.
Literally 'the rotation of the head is slow', meaning someone is slow-witted or mentally sluggish.
寝不足で頭の回転が遅い。
I'm mentally sluggish due to lack of sleep.
のろのろ focuses on slow physical movement. もたもた implies inefficiency or indecision causing slowness. だらだら suggests a lazy, prolonged sluggishness without urgency.
亀がのろのろ歩く。
A turtle walks sluggishly.
彼は準備にもたもたしている。
He is sluggishly taking his time getting ready.
休みの日はだらだらテレビを見てしまう。
On days off, I end up sluggishly watching TV all day.
While 遅く means 'slowly', it does not carry the connotation of lacking energy or being sluggish. Using it for 'sluggishly' can sound unnatural. Use onomatopoeic adverbs or specific phrases instead.
While 遅く means 'slowly', it does not carry the connotation of lacking energy or being sluggish. Using it for 'sluggishly' can sound unnatural. Use onomatopoeic adverbs or specific phrases instead.