Entry
グダグダ
gudaguda
Describes doing something sluggishly, complaining endlessly, or something boiled until it loses its shape.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word has three main applications. First, it describes someone complaining, making excuses, or talking at length without reaching a conclusion. Second, it depicts a state of laziness, sluggishness, or a lack of motivation. Third, it physically describes something, like food, that has been boiled so much it loses its form and becomes mushy.
- talking or complaining in a tedious, endless manner
- spending time lazily with no motivation
- losing shape or structure from being over-boiled
Sense Map
Tedious Complaining
Describes repeatedly complaining, making excuses, or talking persistently without making a point.
グダグダ文句を言う
Laziness & Sluggishness
Indicates a lack of motivation, acting lazily, or a plan/action losing its structure and falling apart.
家でグダグダする
Boiled to Mush
The physical state of ingredients being simmered for so long that they lose their original shape.
グダグダに煮込む
Usage Note
How to Use
グダグダ（と）+ verb
グダグダ言う
Used to criticize someone for complaining endlessly or making too many excuses.
グダグダする
Means to lounge around lazily or fail to do anything productive.
グダグダになる
Shows that a plan has fallen apart or become chaotic, or that food has turned to mush.
グダグダな + noun
How to Use
Common Phrases
グダグダ言う
to complain endlessly
グダグダする
to be lazy
グダグダになる
to fall apart / turn to mush
グダグダな会議
a tedious, unproductive meeting
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| In discussions or meetings | negative | Shows frustration that the conversation is going in circles with no decision. |
| Spending free time | neutral | Can be used casually to describe relaxing and doing nothing on a day off. |
| In cooking | neutral | Describes food that has been simmered until it breaks apart into a paste. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
だらだら だらだら / similar | Use to highlight passively wasting time or something flowing continuously. | Does not focus on the collapse of structure or shape like gudaguda does. | だらだら過ごす |
くどくど くどくど / similar | Use specifically for someone repeating the same points in an annoying, nagging way. | Only used for speech, never for physical items boiling or failing plans. | くどくど説教する |
くたくた くたくた / similar | Use for extreme physical exhaustion or objects (clothes, food) that are worn out or wilted. | Often used for human tiredness, whereas gudaguda is not used to describe fatigue. | くたくたに疲れる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to mean you are tired after work.
Gudaguda means lazy or falling apart, not exhausted. Use kutakuta or hetoheto for physical fatigue.
Using it in a formal setting to ask someone to speak faster.
This word is highly casual and critical. Using it to describe a boss's speech is very disrespectful.
Examples
Examples
休みの日は家でグダグダしている。
やすみのひはいえで[グダグダ]している。
On my days off, I lounge around lazily at home.
FigurativeShows a state of relaxing without doing any meaningful activity.
いつまでもグダグダ文句を言うな。
いつまでも[グダグダ]もんくをいうな。
Stop complaining endlessly and tediously.
FigurativeUsed to scold someone who won't stop making excuses or complaining.
野菜をグダグダになるまで煮込む。
やさいを[グダグダ]になるまでにこむ。
Simmer the vegetables until they are boiled to a mush.
VisualIndicates the physical shape is lost due to overcooking.
計画がグダグダになってしまった。
けいかくが[グダグダ]になってしまった。
The plan completely fell apart and became a mess.
FigurativeA metaphor for a plan or organization losing its structure.
会議がグダグダと続いて結論が出ない。
かいぎが[グダグダ]とつづいてけつろんがでない。
The meeting dragged on tediously with no conclusion reached.
FigurativeFocuses on the long amount of time wasted without progress.
Similar Words
だらだら
daradara
だらだら describes something continuing endlessly without tension, such as chilling lazily at home, a meeting dragging on, or sweat dripping continuously. Emphasizes the slow passage of time without aim, unlike the loss of structure in gudaguda.
くたくた
kutakuta
Describes being completely exhausted, clothing that has become soft and worn out from use, or food boiled until it is mushy. Both can be used for over-boiled food, but kutakuta is also very commonly used for severe human physical exhaustion.
くどくど
kudokudo
Speaking or explaining something in an annoyingly repetitive and excessively long manner. Focuses specifically on annoyingly repeating the same speech or scolding, not used for laziness.
Questions
Can I use gudaguda with my boss?
It is not recommended. The word is casual and inherently critical. Calling a meeting gudaguda in front of superiors is rude.
What is the difference between gudaguda and daradara for relaxing?
Both can mean being lazy. Daradara emphasizes the slow passage of time without purpose, while gudaguda emphasizes the lack of structure or energy in your actions.
Can gudaguda be used for a long piece of writing?
Yes, if an essay or explanation is overly wordy, loses its point, and is tedious to read, you can call it gudaguda.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2853006
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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