とぼとぼ

と

ぼ

と

ぼ

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle

trudging; plodding; walking slowly with heavy steps

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes walking slowly and wearily, often with a sense of dejection or exhaustion. Commonly used with 歩く or as an adverb with と.

試し

合あい

に

負ま

け

て

、

選せん

手しゅ

たち

は

とぼとぼ

と

引ひ

き

揚あ

げ

た

。

After losing the match, the players plodded off the field.

のろのろ
のろのろ emphasizes slowness in movement or action, while とぼとぼ specifically describes a heavy, weary way of walking.
よぼよぼ
よぼよぼ describes an unsteady, tottering gait often due to old age, whereas とぼとぼ focuses on trudging with fatigue or dejection.

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it phonetically imitates the sound or rhythm of heavy, slow footsteps.