Entry
デレデレ
deredere
Describes a state of being completely infatuated and fawning over someone, or acting in a lazy and slovenly manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is most commonly used when someone loses their composure and acts overly affectionate or doting toward someone they adore, such as a partner, a grandchild, or an idol. Alternatively, it can describe a lack of discipline, acting slack, or lazing away the time.
- Infatuated or fawning over someone
- Acting in a lazy, slack, or undisciplined way
Sense Map
Lovestruck & Fawning
The state of losing one's composure due to overwhelming affection, typically toward a romantic partner, grandchild, or an idol.
孫の顔を見てデレデレする。
Lazy & Slovenly
Spending time without doing anything productive; acting undisciplined, slacking off, or idling.
休日は家でデレデレと過ごす。
Usage Note
How to Use
デレデレする
The most common verbal form, meaning 'to act lovestruck', 'to fawn', or 'to laze around'.
デレデレと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe performing an action in a doting, infatuated, or slack manner.
デレデレした + noun
Modifies a noun (such as an attitude or face) to describe it as slack, lazy, or full of infatuation.
How to Use
Common Phrases
デレデレする
to fawn / to laze around
デレデレした態度
lovestruck attitude / sloppy attitude
孫にデレデレ
doting heavily on a grandchild
デレデレと過ごす
to spend time lazing about
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Looking at grandchildren or pets | neutral to positive | Implies a complete lack of strictness and overwhelmingly doting affection. |
| Couples in public | slightly negative | Often used to tease or criticize people who act overly infatuated in front of others, ignoring their surroundings. |
| Daily work/lifestyle | negative | Describes slacking off, idling away time, or lacking discipline. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
いちゃいちゃ いちゃいちゃ / similar | Used when two people are mutually flirting, making out, or being physically affectionate. | デレデレ is more about the one-sided state of being emotionally infatuated or having one's guard down, without necessarily implying mutual physical interaction. | 人前でイチャイチャする。 |
でれっと でれっと / similar | Used for a momentary lapse of strictness or a fleeting expression of fondness. | デレデレ is an ongoing state of behavior or attitude, whereas でれっと focuses on a sudden or temporary slackening of the face. | でれっとした顔をする。 |
べたべた べたべた / similar | Used for physical clinginess or being overly attached to someone like a child to a parent. | デレデレ is about emotional softness or fawning, while ベタベタ is about sticky physical contact or excessive dependency. | 恋人にベタベタする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to sincerely compliment a loving couple.
デレデレ has a slightly mocking or teasing tone, implying they are losing their dignity due to love. Use 仲がいい (naka ga ii) for a sincere compliment.
Using it to describe healthy relaxation.
When not about love, it means being slovenly or undisciplined. For positive relaxation, use のんびり (nonbiri) instead.
Examples
Examples
彼女の前ではデレデレしている。
かのじょのまえではデレデレしている。
He is completely lovestruck in front of his girlfriend.
FigurativeDescribes someone losing their composure due to romantic infatuation.
孫の顔を見てデレデレする。
まごのかおをみてデレデレする。
He fawns over his grandchild upon seeing their face.
FigurativeA classic example of this word used outside of romantic contexts.
休日は家でデレデレと過ごす。
きゅうじつはいえでデレデレとすごす。
Lazing around the house on days off.
LiteralShows the secondary meaning of acting lazy without motivation.
推しにデレデレだ。
おしにデレデレだ。
Completely infatuated with one's favorite idol.
Figurative'Oshi' refers to one's favorite idol or character.
人前でデレデレした態度をとるな。
ひとまえでデレデレしたたいどをとるな。
Don't show such a lovestruck, sloppy attitude in public.
VisualShows that this attitude can be seen as embarrassing or improper by others.
Similar Words
でれっと
deretto
でれっと describes a state of lacking tension, either by being physically slack and lazy, or by having a fawning, love-struck expression. A momentary slackening or sudden expression of fondness.
イチャイチャ
ichaicha
Couples being physically affectionate, flirting, or acting lovey-dovey with each other. Refers to mutual flirting, unlike the one-sided lovestruck state of deredere.
ベタベタ
betabeta
Describes something physically sticky, the act of pasting things all over, couples clinging or flirting, or something highly cliché and predictable. Physical clinginess.
Questions
Is this related to the anime term 'Tsundere'?
Yes. 'Tsundere' is a portmanteau of 'Tsuntsun' (aloof/hostile) and 'Deredere' (lovestruck/fawning), describing a character who transitions between these two extremes.
Does デレデレ only apply to romantic love?
No. While romantic infatuation is a major use, it is also frequently used for grandparents spoiling their grandchildren, or simply for someone who is being lazy and slack.
What is the difference between デレデレ (deredere) and イチャイチャ (ichaicha)?
イチャイチャ refers to a couple mutually flirting or making out. デレデレ describes the state of an individual acting infatuated, soft, or losing their composure out of affection.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1008480
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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