Entry
もそり
mosori
もそり describes a physical action performed in a slow, sluggish, or heavy manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This mimetic word conveys an action that lacks briskness or energy. It is typically used to describe someone or something moving, standing up, or crawling slowly and deliberately, often giving a lethargic yet soft impression.
- moving sluggishly
- getting up heavily
- crawling or shifting slowly
Sense Map
Sluggish Movement
Describes slow, heavy, and lethargic movement of the whole body or limbs.
もそりと歩き出す
Rising or Shifting Posture
The act of standing up, getting out of bed, or shifting position with difficulty, sleepiness, or lack of energy.
布団からもそりと起き上がる
Usage Note
How to Use
もそりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed. The following verb is usually an action verb related to movement, such as moving (動く), standing up (立ち上がる), or crawling (這い出す).
How to Use
Common Phrases
もそりと動く
to move sluggishly
もそりと立ち上がる
to stand up heavily/slowly
もそりと起き上がる
to get up slowly (e.g., from bed)
もそりと這い出す
to crawl out sluggishly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Waking up | neutral | Perfect for describing someone who is half-asleep reluctantly crawling out of bed. |
| Animal movement | neutral | Often used to capture the slow-paced movement of animals like turtles or lazy pets. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のっそり のっそり / similar | Used for the slow movements of larger, heavier, or more lumbering entities (like a bear or a large person). | もそり is generally softer and applies to movements that are sluggish but not necessarily massive in scale. | 熊がのっそりと現れた。 |
ゆっくり ゆっくり / similar | Used for any kind of slow speed across movements, actions, or processes, without negative connotations. | ゆっくり is neutral and can apply to speaking or eating, whereas もそり focuses strictly on lethargic or unenergetic physical movement. | ゆっくり休んでください。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using もそり to describe speaking slowly or a slow thought process.
Use もそり exclusively for slow, sluggish physical movements or shifts in body posture.
Assuming もそり means 'silently' or 'stealthily'.
While sluggish movements might happen to be quiet, the focus of もそり is on the lethargy and lack of nimbleness, not the lack of noise.
Examples
Examples
ソファーの上で眠っていた猫が、もそりと姿勢を変えた。
ソファーのうえでねむっていたねこが、もそりとしせいをかえた。
The cat sleeping on the sofa sluggishly shifted its position.
VisualDescribes the slow, low-energy movement of a resting pet.
彼は名前を呼ばれると、もそりと立ち上がった。
かれはなまえをよばれると、もそりとたちあがった。
When his name was called, he stood up heavily.
LiteralShows a lack of enthusiasm or reluctance to move.
朝の冷え込みが厳しく、布団からもそりと這い出すのがやっとだった。
あさのひえこみがきびしく、ふとんからもそりとはいだすのがやっとだった。
The morning chill was severe, and I could barely manage to sluggishly crawl out of my futon.
LiteralDescribes the difficulty of moving in the morning due to the cold and sleepiness.
大きな亀が、石の上をもそりと歩き始めた。
おおきなかめが、いしのうえをもそりとあるきはじめた。
The large turtle began to slowly lumber across the rock.
VisualFocuses on the low walking speed of an animal.
暗闇の中で何かがもそりと動く気配がした。
くらやみのなかでなにかがもそりとうごくけはいがした。
I sensed something moving sluggishly in the darkness.
LiteralGives the impression of something large or moving aimlessly without rapid sounds.
Similar Words
のっそり
nossori
Describes someone or something moving very slowly and heavily, or standing completely still without reacting. Indicates a heavier, more lumbering movement, often associated with large creatures.
ゆっくり
yukkuri
ゆっくり describes taking one's time, moving without haste, or being in a state of comfortable relaxation. The general neutral word for anything slow (time, movement, process).
のろのろ
noronoro
Moving or progressing at a very slow and inefficient pace.
Questions
Does もそり have a negative connotation?
Not necessarily negative, but it implies a lack of energy or swiftness. It can just be an objective observation of something moving sluggishly.
Can I use もそり for inanimate objects?
It is generally used for living creatures (humans or animals) moving of their own volition. It is rarely used for slow-moving machines or inanimate objects.
Can I say もそり食べる (eat sluggishly)?
No, it is not typically used for the act of consuming things. For eating slowly, a word like ゆっくり (yukkuri) is much more natural.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2866007
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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