Entry
のらくら
norakura
A word describing spending time idly without purpose, or speaking and behaving in an evasive, non-committal manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Norakura is used to describe a person who is loafing around and avoiding productive work. It also describes a slippery, evasive attitude where someone avoids giving straight answers in order to dodge responsibility or commitments.
- Spending time lazily
- Dodging questions and responsibility
Sense Map
Idleness and Laziness
Describes spending time sluggishly without doing any meaningful work or taking action.
のらくら過ごす
Evasive Attitude
Describes avoiding commitment, answering vaguely, or acting slippery to dodge responsibility.
のらくらと躱す
Usage Note
How to Use
のらくらする
Used as a verb to mean idling around or acting evasively.
のらくらと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed, typically dodging or spending time idly.
のらくらした + noun
Modifies a noun, most commonly used with words like attitude to describe a non-committal stance.
How to Use
Common Phrases
のらくら過ごす
to spend time idly
のらくらする
to idle about / to act evasively
のらくらと躱す
to dodge evasively
のらくらした態度
non-committal attitude
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Work and Productivity | Negative | Often used by bosses or parents to criticize someone who is slacking off and not taking their duties seriously. |
| Arguments and Questioning | Negative | Shows frustration when the other person refuses to give a clear yes or no, acting slippery to avoid being blamed. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のらりくらり のらりくらり / similar | Extremely similar and often interchangeable, but norarikurari places an even stronger emphasis on the slippery, elusive nature of someone's speech or attitude. | Norakura covers physical idleness slightly more broadly, while norarikurari is heavily associated with dodging questions or pressure. | のらりくらりと質問をかわす |
ぶらぶら ぶらぶら / contrast | Use burabura when taking a leisurely, aimless walk or hanging around casually. | Burabura describes casual, physical strolling or dangling, whereas norakura implies a negative avoidance of work or duties. | 近所をぶらぶらする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using norakura to say you had a relaxing day off.
Use yukkuri suru for positive relaxation. Norakura means you wasted time lazily and should have been doing something else.
Thinking it just means walking around aimlessly.
While it can be used for wandering, it usually implies you are doing so to actively avoid work or chores.
Examples
Examples
やるべきことがあるのに、休日をのらくら過ごしてしまった。
やる べき こと が ある のに、 きゅうじつ を のらくら すごして しまった。
Even though I had things to do, I ended up spending my day off idly.
FigurativeShows regret for spending time without doing anything productive.
彼は都合の悪い質問をのらくらと躱した。
かれ は つごう の わるい しつもん を のらくら と かわした。
He evasively dodged the inconvenient questions.
FigurativeDescribes a slippery way of speaking used to avoid responsibility.
息子は就職もせずに家でのらくらしている。
むすこ は しゅうしょく も せず に いえ で のらくら している。
My son is just idling around at home without getting a job.
FigurativeExpresses parental frustration toward a child who refuses to work.
そのようなのらくらした態度は、顧客の信用を失う。
その ような のらくら した たいど は、 こきゃく の しんよう を うしなう。
Such a non-committal attitude will lose the trust of customers.
FigurativeDescribes an unprofessional attitude that is harmful in business.
仕事を怠けて、一日中その辺りをのらくら歩き回っていた。
しごと を なまけて、 いちにちじゅう その あたり を のらくら あるきまわって いた。
I slacked off from work and aimlessly wandered around there all day.
VisualFocuses on slow, aimless physical movement resulting from laziness.
Similar Words
のらりくらり
norarikurari
Describes a slippery, evasive manner of avoiding commitment, or living an idle, aimless life. Stronger emphasis on slippery, evasive communication.
ぶらぶら
burabura
A state of hanging loosely and swaying, or spending time and walking aimlessly in a relaxed manner. For casual strolling or hanging around (without the negative nuance of avoiding work).
Questions
Can I use norakura in a positive way?
No, it is almost always a critical or negative term used to describe laziness, vagueness, or irresponsibility.
What is the difference between norakura and norarikurari?
They are functionally very similar, but norarikurari emphasizes the 'slippery' aspect of verbal evasion a bit more strongly.
Does norakura only apply to people?
Yes, it describes human behavior, attitudes, and ways of spending time or communicating.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2009370
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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