Entry
こっくりこっくり
kokkurikokkuri
The repetitive motion of the head dropping and rising when someone is drowsy and dozing off.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word vividly describes the physical action of someone unable to fight off sleep while sitting up, causing their head to involuntarily drop forward and bounce back repeatedly.
- Focuses on the visual head movement
- Describes light dozing while sitting
Sense Map
Drowsiness
The state of yielding to sleepiness and falling into a light doze.
こっくりこっくりと居眠りする
Head Movement
The visual action of the head repeatedly bobbing down and up due to relaxing neck muscles during sleep.
座席でこっくりこっくりする
Usage Note
How to Use
こっくりこっくりする
Used as a verb (suru) to mean the action of nodding off repeatedly.
こっくりこっくりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like sleeping) is accompanied by a nodding head.
How to Use
Common Phrases
こっくりこっくりする
to nod off
こっくりこっくりと居眠りする
to doze off with one's head bobbing
こっくりこっくり船を漕ぐ
to nod off (idiomatically: rowing a boat)
こっくりこっくりし始める
to start nodding off
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Public transport or meetings. | Neutral to slightly comical | Commonly used for the relatable struggle of failing to stay awake in a public or formal setting. |
| Relaxing in a warm environment. | Peaceful | Creates a cozy image of someone comfortably letting sleep take over. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うとうと うとうと / nearby | Use when focusing on the mental state of being half-asleep or drifting off. | Does not specifically describe the physical head movement like kokkuri kokkuri does. | うとうとする |
うつらうつら うつらうつら / nearby | Use when someone is drifting in and out of consciousness. | Focuses more on the hazy state of awareness rather than the body's posture. | うつらうつらする |
こっくり こっくり / nearby | Use for a single nod of the head, whether in agreement or a sudden drop from sleep. | Only happens once, whereas kokkuri kokkuri implies a repeated, continuous motion. | こっくりとうなずく |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe nodding eagerly in agreement.
This word is exclusively for sleepiness. For repeated agreement, use un-un instead.
Using it for someone sleeping deeply in a bed.
It requires an upright posture where the head can fall forward. For deep sleep, use gussuri.
Examples
Examples
電車の中でこっくりこっくりしている人がいる。
でんしゃの なかで こっくりこっくり している ひとが いる。
There is a person nodding off to sleep on the train.
VisualDescribes the common sight of someone dozing on public transport.
暖かい部屋で本を読んでいるうちに、こっくりこっくりと居眠りを始めた。
あたたかい へやで ほんを よんでいる うちに、 こっくりこっくりと いねむりを はじめた。
While reading a book in a warm room, I started to nod off.
LiteralShows how a warm environment induces drowsiness.
会議中、彼はこっくりこっくりと船を漕いでいた。
かいぎちゅう、 かれは こっくりこっくりと ふねを こいでいた。
During the meeting, he was repeatedly nodding off.
VisualThe idiom 'rowing a boat' (fune o kogu) is commonly paired with this word in Japanese to mean nodding off.
おじいさんは縁側でこっくりこっくりしている。
おじいさんは えんがわで こっくりこっくり している。
Grandfather is nodding off on the veranda.
VisualConveys a peaceful and slow-paced impression.
赤ちゃんが母親の背中でこっくりこっくりし始めた。
あかちゃんが ははおやの せなかで こっくりこっくり しはじめた。
The baby started nodding off on its mother's back.
VisualDescribes the cute visual of a baby's head bobbing as it fails to stay awake.
Similar Words
こっくり
kokkuri
A single nod, either in agreement or a sudden drop of the head from sleep.
うとうと
utouto
Falling into a light, involuntary doze while in a seated or semi-active state. Focuses on the mental state of consciousness fading into sleep.
うつらうつら
utsurautsura
The state of drifting in and out of sleep or being half-awake. A state of being half-asleep, drifting between wakefulness and sleep.
Questions
What is the difference between kokkuri kokkuri and utouto?
Utouto describes the mental state of feeling drowsy or being half-asleep. Kokkuri kokkuri specifically describes the visual, physical motion of the head bobbing down.
Can I use this word for animals?
Yes, if the animal is sitting up and its head is visibly dropping as it struggles to stay awake, such as a cat dozing off in the sun.
Does this indicate a deep sleep?
No, it implies a light, precarious doze where the person is still sitting upright but losing muscle control in their neck.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2008090
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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