Entry
ひょろり
hyorori
Tall, thin, and often appearing frail, gangly, or spindly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes something or someone that grows notably tall and thin. It is commonly used to describe lanky individuals who lack bulk, or fast-growing plants and weeds that have thin, weak stems.
- Lanky human body proportions
- Spindly plant growth
Sense Map
Lanky Build
Describes a person who is notably tall and thin, often implying a lack of muscular bulk or a somewhat fragile appearance.
ひょろりとした青年
Spindly Plants
Describes plants or sprouts that grow upwards very quickly but remain thin and frail.
もやしがひょろりと伸びる
Usage Note
How to Use
ひょろりとする
Functions as a state verb to describe the condition of being tall and thin.
ひょろりとした + noun
Acts as an adjective phrase to modify a noun, typically meaning 'a lanky (person) / a spindly (plant)'.
ひょろりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs of growth or movement, as in 'to grow spindly'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ひょろりとした体格
lanky physique
ひょろりと伸びる
to grow tall and thin
背がひょろりとしている
to be tall and gangly
ひょろりとした男
a lanky man
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Human Build | neutral to mildly negative | Highlights a lack of muscle mass compared to the person's height, giving a 'beanpole' impression. |
| Plants and Trees | neutral to mildly negative | Implies the plant is etiolated—growing thin and tall due to reaching for light, making the stem fragile. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
すらり すらり / similar | Used to describe someone who is slender and well-proportioned in an attractive, graceful way. | This is a compliment for being slim and graceful, whereas hyorori suggests being gangly or frail. | すらりとした脚 |
げっそり げっそり / similar | Used when someone has suddenly lost a lot of weight due to illness or stress. | This focuses on sudden, unhealthy weight loss, rather than a naturally tall and thin build. | げっそり痩せる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to compliment a friend's fit or slender body.
This word makes them sound frail or gangly. Use words like すらり (surari) for an attractive slimness.
Using it for thin inanimate objects like paper or cloth.
It only applies to vertical, cylindrical shapes, usually living things like people, limbs, or plants.
Examples
Examples
庭の雑草がひょろりと伸びている。
にわのざっそうが[ひょろり]とのびている。
The weeds in the garden are growing spindly.
VisualDescribes the plant stems growing upwards but remaining thin.
彼は背がひょろりと高い。
かれはせが[ひょろり]とたかい。
He is very lanky and tall.
VisualEmphasizes that he is not just tall, but very thin at the same time.
ドアの前にひょろりとした青年が立っていた。
ドアのまえに[ひょろり]としたせいねんがたっていた。
A lanky young man was standing in front of the door.
VisualUses the adjective form (ひょろりとした) to describe the young man.
日の当たらない場所で、もやしがひょろりと育つ。
ひのあたらないばしょで、もやしが[ひょろり]とそだつ。
In a place with no sunlight, the bean sprouts grow spindly.
VisualDescribes unhealthy growth due to lack of light, making the plant stem long but weak.
あの選手はひょろりとした体つきをしている。
あのせんしゅは[ひょろり]としたからだつきをしている。
That athlete has a lanky build.
VisualImplies that the athlete looks lacking in muscle, just towering tall.
Similar Words
ひょろひょろ
hyorohyoro
Describes moving unsteadily due to physical weakness, or having a tall, thin, and frail physical appearance.
すらり
surari
Surari describes something or someone as long, slender, and well-proportioned, or movement as smooth and continuous. Used for an attractive and well-proportioned slimness.
げっそり
gessori
Describes looking very thin or emaciated (especially in the face), or feeling completely drained and discouraged after a shock. Indicates drastic weight loss, unrelated to height.
Questions
Is it rude to describe someone using this word?
It is not a severe insult, but it is not a compliment. It essentially calls someone a 'beanpole' or 'lanky', so it should be used with care.
What is the difference between this and hyorohyoro?
Hyorori usually focuses purely on the visual state of being tall and thin. Hyorohyoro shares this meaning but can also describe a weak, unsteady, tottering movement.
Can I use it for tall buildings?
No. It is almost exclusively used for organic things like people, animals, or plants. A tall, thin building would be described with standard adjectives like 細長い (hosonagai).
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1010670
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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