Entry
もっそり
mossori
Describes moving in a slow, heavy, sluggish way, or looking stiff, thick, and unrefined.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term captures the feeling of someone or something moving slowly due to heaviness or a lack of energy. It is also commonly used to describe styles, clothing, or behaviors that are unrefined, plain, and lacking in sophistication.
- Slow, heavy, and sluggish movement
- Unrefined or dull appearance
Sense Map
Slow & Sluggish Movement
Describes the act of moving slowly and heavily, often lacking agility due to size or exhaustion.
もっそりと立ち上がる
Unrefined & Unsophisticated
Describes an appearance, piece of clothing, or behavior that lacks sharpness, looking dull or out of style.
もっそりした服
Usage Note
How to Use
もっそりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe performing an action slowly and heavily.
もっそりする
Describes the state of being sluggish or looking unrefined.
もっそりした + noun
Functions as a modifier for nouns, typically used for unflattering or thick clothing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
もっそり歩く
to walk slowly and heavily
もっそりと立ち上がる
to stand up sluggishly
もっそりした服
unrefined or unflattering clothes
もっそりした動き
sluggish movement
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Movement | Neutral | Implies the subject is moving slowly due to size, weight, or lethargy. |
| Appearance | Negative | Indicates that something looks thick, stiff, or lacks stylistic refinement. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のっそり のっそり / similar | Use when specifically emphasizing the slow, heavy movement of a large creature or person. | Nossori is used for heavy, slow movement or standing there unresponsive, and is rarely used for looks such as unrefined clothes. | 大きな熊がのっそり現れる。 |
もさっと もさっと / similar | Use when someone looks dowdy or unpolished (clothes, overgrown hair), or seems absent-minded and vacant. | It lacks mossori's heavy, sluggish body movement; besides a dowdy look, it can also mean being vacant or absent-minded. | 髪がもさっとしている。 |
もたもた もたもた / contrast | Use when someone is slow because they are fumbling, hesitant, or wasting time, not because the body itself feels heavy. | It points to inefficient action, while mossori highlights heavy, sluggish physical movement. | もたもたしないで早く準備して。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'mossori' simply to mean driving a car slowly.
For a car that is simply going slowly, use plain wording such as 'osoku hashiru' (drive slowly). 'Mossori' is for people or animals moving, or for appearance.
Assuming 'mossori' means dawdling or being inefficient.
For wasting time or being inefficient at a task, 'mota-mota' is the correct term.
Examples
Examples
大きな熊がもっそりと立ち上がった。
おおきな くま が もっそりと たちあがった。
The large bear stood up sluggishly and heavily.
VisualDescribes a large animal moving without agility.
彼はいつももっそりした服を着ている。
かれ は いつも もっそりした ふく を きている。
He always wears unrefined, unflattering clothes.
VisualFocuses on an appearance that is stiff or unsophisticated.
疲れた様子でもっそりと歩く。
つかれた ようす で もっそりと あるく。
He walks sluggishly, looking tired.
LiteralMovement slowed down by fatigue and lack of energy.
彼女はもっそりとした話し方をする。
かのじょ は もっそりとした はなしかた を する。
She has a slow, unrefined way of speaking.
FigurativeFigurative use for a slow and stiff way of speaking.
布団からもっそりと起き上がる。
ふとん から もっそりと おきあがる。
Sluggishly getting out of bed.
LiteralDescribes the lack of physical energy in the morning.
Similar Words
のっそり
nossori
Describes someone or something moving very slowly and heavily, or standing completely still without reacting. Nossori is used for heavy movement or standing idly, not for unrefined clothes.
もさっと
mosatto
Describes a state of being mentally absent or having an unrefined, uncouth appearance. Shares the dowdy, unrefined look, but can also mean absent-minded, and lacks mossori's heavy, slow movement.
もたもた
motamota
Describes doing something slowly, clumsily, or inefficiently, often wasting time. Means slow due to inefficiency or dawdling, rather than heavy physical movement.
Questions
Does mossori just mean 'slow'?
No. Mossori is not only about speed; it adds a sense of heaviness, sluggishness, or lack of refinement.
Can mossori be used to describe clothing?
Yes. 'Mossori shita fuku' refers to clothes that are unflattering, thick, or lacking in style.
Is mossori a negative word?
It depends. For movement it is mostly neutral; for appearance or clothing it is negative, implying a lack of style or refinement.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454800
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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