Entry
なよなよ
nayonayo
なよなよ (nayonayo) means being feeble, lacking vigor, or being delicately supple.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
なよなよ describes a state lacking stiffness or vigor. When applied to people, it is often negative, criticizing someone (often a man) for being feeble, wimpy, or overly effeminate. Conversely, when applied to plants or fabrics, it neutrally or positively describes something that is soft, pliable, and sways delicately.
- Physical or mental weakness in people.
- Supple and delicate motion in plants or objects.
Sense Map
Feeble and Wimpy
Describes a person who lacks physical strength, assertiveness, or masculinity. Often used as a criticism.
なよなよした男
Supple and Delicate
Describes something thin, flexible, and easily swayed, like a tree branch or fabric.
枝がなよなよと揺れる
Usage Note
How to Use
なよなよする
Used as a verb to express acting weakly or lacking firmness.
なよなよしている
Expresses the ongoing state of being feeble, limp, or effeminate.
なよなよと + verb
Acts as an adverb, describing an action done delicately or weakly (e.g., swaying, walking).
なよなよした + noun
Acts as a modifier to describe a noun as feeble, flimsy, or overly soft (e.g., a wimpy attitude).
How to Use
Common Phrases
なよなよした態度
wimpy attitude
なよなよと歩く
walk feebly/delicately
なよなよした男
effeminate/feeble man
なよなよと揺れる
sway delicately
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing personalities | negative | Often implies that someone is overly weak, effeminate, or lacks the backbone to stand up for themselves. |
| Plants and materials | neutral | Indicates that the object is pliable, lacks stiffness, and responds gently to wind or touch. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
へなへな へなへな / similar | Use when someone suddenly loses their strength and collapses, or when an object is easily bent out of shape. | なよなよ is an inherent state of being soft or frail, whereas へなへな focuses on a sudden collapse or physical flimsiness under pressure. | 膝がへなへなと折れる |
おっとり おっとり / contrast | Use to praise someone for having a naturally calm, gentle, and unhurried personality. | なよなよ focuses on weakness and is a negative trait for people, whereas おっとり is a positive trait emphasizing calmness. | おっとりした性格 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using なよなよ to say you are tired after working out.
なよなよ implies a constant state of being unmanly, frail, or soft. Use くたくた or へとへと for temporary physical exhaustion.
Praising a strong person's gentle movements with なよなよ.
なよなよ inherently implies a lack of vigor. It sounds negative when applied to people. Use 柔らかく for gentle movement without the negative connotation.
Examples
Examples
彼はなよなよしていて頼りない。
かれはなよなよしていてたよりない。
He is feeble and unreliable.
FigurativeUsed negatively to show a lack of physical strength or assertiveness.
細い枝が風になよなよと揺れている。
ほそいえだがかぜになよなよとゆれている。
The thin branches sway delicately in the wind.
VisualShows the supple and delicate swaying motion of the plant.
彼のなよなよした態度が気になった。
かれのなよなよしたたいどがきになった。
His wimpy attitude bothered me.
Figurative'Nayonayo shita' acts as an adjective describing the weak character.
彼女はなよなよと歩いていく。
かのじょはなよなよとあるいていく。
She walks with delicate, weak steps.
VisualDescribes a walking style that is soft, or appears lacking in energy.
水不足で草がなよなよしている。
みずぶそくでくさがなよなよしている。
The grass is limp due to lack of water.
VisualDescribes a plant that has lost its firmness and become limp.
Similar Words
へなへな
henahena
Describes something flimsy and easy to bend, or a sudden loss of strength causing one to collapse helplessly. Both refer to weakness, but へなへな focuses more on objects bending easily or a sudden loss of physical strength.
おっとり
ottori
A calm, gentle, and unhurried personality or demeanor. A positive adjective for gentle calmness, contrasting with the negative weakness of なよなよ.
Questions
Is なよなよ an insult?
Yes, when applied to a person (especially a man), it often carries a negative, critical tone implying they are wimpy, effeminate, or unreliable.
Can I use なよなよ for inanimate objects?
Yes, it neutrally describes thin, supple objects like branches, strings, or fabrics swaying delicately without stiffness.
What is the difference between なよなよ and へなへな?
なよなよ describes a constant state of being soft, frail, or lacking vigor. へなへな often implies a sudden loss of strength (like collapsing knees) or physical flimsiness.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1009460
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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