Entry
だらり
darari
Describes something hanging heavily and loosely, or a body completely devoid of tension and energy.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word depicts a state where something hangs down slackly without any tension, such as a loose rope or heavy arms. It also describes a person or animal whose body is completely relaxed, limp, or languid due to exhaustion or lack of energy.
- hanging slackly without tension
- body completely limp from exhaustion or relaxation
Sense Map
Hanging loosely
Used when objects like ropes, cables, or sleeves hang down slackly due to gravity, without any tension.
縄がだらりと垂れ下がっている。
Limp body/posture
Used when someone's arms, legs, or whole body is completely limp and relaxed, often from exhaustion.
疲れて腕をだらりと下げた。
Usage Note
How to Use
だらりと + Verb
Modifies a verb to describe an action done limply or something hanging slackly.
だらりとする / だらんとする
Functions as a verb meaning "to become limp" or "to go slack".
だらんとした + Noun
Used to modify a noun, describing it as slack or loose.
How to Use
Common Phrases
だらりと下がる
hang down loosely
だらりと垂れる
dangle limply
だらんとする
be completely limp/slack
手足をだらんとする
let one's limbs hang loose
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Physical Exhaustion | neutral to negative | Conveys a visual image of heavy arms or drooping shoulders, highlighting extreme fatigue. |
| Hanging Objects | neutral | Describes ropes, cables, or long sleeves that have lost their tautness and are just pulled down by gravity. |
| Complete Relaxation | neutral to positive | Can be used when lounging comfortably on a sofa without a care, completely releasing muscle tension. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐったり ぐったり / nearby | Focuses on complete physical exhaustion or loss of strength, affecting the whole body. | だらり describes the visual state of things hanging slack or loose, while ぐったり emphasizes extreme fatigue or collapse. | ぐったりと横になる |
ぷらぷら ぷらぷら / nearby | Describes something dangling loosely and swinging or swaying back and forth lightly. | だらり indicates something hanging heavily and slack without movement, whereas ぷらぷら includes the swinging motion. | 足をぷらぷらさせる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using だらり to describe swinging pendulums or lively swaying.
だらり emphasizes dead weight and lack of tension. Use ぷらぷら or ゆらゆら for things that are actively swinging or swaying.
Using だらり for a loose knot that might come undone.
ゆるゆる or ぶかぶか is better for loose fittings or knots. だらり refers to the visual state of hanging down slackly.
Examples
Examples
彼は疲れ切って、両腕をだらりと下げて歩いていた。
かれはつかれきって、りょううでをだらりとさげてあるいていた。
He was completely exhausted and walking with his arms hanging limply.
VisualHighlights arms devoid of energy due to exhaustion.
天井から古い電線がだらんと垂れ下がっている。
てんじょうからふるいでんせんがだらんとたれさがっている。
An old electrical wire is dangling slackly from the ceiling.
VisualDescribes a heavy object pulled down by gravity with no tension.
休日はソファに寝転がって、だらんとして過ごした。
きゅうじつはソファにねころがって、だらんとしてすごした。
On my day off, I spent my time lying limply on the sofa, completely relaxed.
LiteralUsed positively to show relaxation with no physical tension.
サイズが大きすぎて、袖がだらんと伸びている。
サイズがおおきすぎて、そでがだらんとのびている。
The size is too big, so the sleeves are hanging down loosely.
VisualDescribes excess fabric hanging down due to being too long.
マラソンを終えた選手は、手足をだらりとして座り込んだ。
マラソンをおえたせんしゅは、てあしをだらりとしてすわりこんだ。
The athlete who finished the marathon sat down, letting their limbs hang limp.
VisualShows that there is no energy left in the limbs.
Similar Words
ぷらぷら
purapura
Includes a swaying or swinging motion, while だらり means hanging heavily without movement.
Questions
What is the difference between だらり and だらん?
They mean exactly the same thing. だらん is often preferred when paired with する (だらんとする).
Can I use だらり for clothes that are too big?
You can use it if the sleeves or hem are physically dangling down because they are too long. For general looseness in fit, ぶかぶか or だぶだぶ is more natural.
Is だらり a positive or negative word?
It is neutral. It can describe someone who is extremely exhausted (negative), or someone completely relaxed on a weekend (positive), or simply a slack rope (neutral).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2059310
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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