Entry
のそのそ
nosonoso
Describes movement that is slow and heavy, often suggesting bulkiness or a lack of vigor.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This term is used to depict a slow, unhurried, and heavy-footed way of moving. It is frequently applied to large creatures or people who appear to be moving without agility, often due to fatigue or laziness.
- Heavy movement of large animals
- Sluggish or unenergetic human movement
Sense Map
Large Animals
The slow, steady, and heavy gait of large creatures like bears or turtles.
クマがのそのそ歩く。
Human Sluggishness
Moving without energy or getting out of bed very slowly in the morning.
朝、のそのそと起きる。
Usage Note
How to Use
のそのそ歩く
Used as a direct adverb before the verb to describe the manner of walking.
のそのそと動く
The particle 'to' adds more visual emphasis to the description of the movement.
のそのそしている
The 'suru' verb form describes a general state or behavior of being sluggish.
のそのそした足取り
Uses 'shita' to modify the following noun, describing a sluggish gait.
How to Use
Common Phrases
のそのそ歩く
to walk slowly and heavily
のそのそ動く
to move sluggishly
のそのそ出てくる
to emerge slowly
のそのそ起き上がる
to get up sluggishly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Describing wildlife | neutral | Provides a clear visual image of the animal's size and heavy movement. |
| Criticizing someone for being slow | negative | Can sound slightly negative or impatient when used for people who should be moving faster. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のろのろ のろのろ / similar | Use when the focus is strictly on low speed or delays. | Does not imply the weight or physical bulk that nosonoso does. | 渋滞でのろのろ進む。 |
のっそり のっそり / nearby | Use for a single slow movement or when someone is standing quietly and heavily. | Emphasizes stolidness or a slow, sudden appearance more than repetitive movement. | のっそりと立ち上がる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using nosonoso to describe slow computer processing speed.
Use 'osoi' or 'omoi'. Nosonoso is for physical bodily movement.
Using nosonoso for a graceful slow dance.
Use 'yukkuri'. Nosonoso implies a lack of grace or energy.
Examples
Examples
洞窟の中から大きなクマがのそのそと出てきた。
どうくつのなかからおおきなくまがのそのそとでてきた。
A large bear emerged slowly from inside the cave.
VisualEmphasizes the large size and heavy movement of the animal.
彼はまだ眠いのか、のそのそと布団から起き上がった。
かれはまだねむいのか、のそのそとふとんからおきあがった。
Perhaps because he was still sleepy, he got up from his futon very sluggishly.
LiteralDescribes the movement of someone lacking energy in the morning.
大きなウミガメが砂浜をのそのそ歩いている。
おおきなうみがめがすなはまをのそのそあるいている。
A large sea turtle is walking slowly across the sandy beach.
VisualPerfect for describing the movement of large reptiles on land.
疲労で足が重く、のそのそとしか歩けない。
ひろうであしがおもく、のそのそとしかあるけない。
My legs feel heavy from fatigue, so I can only walk sluggishly.
LiteralUsed when the body feels heavy and cannot move quickly.
巨大な重機がのそのそと工事現場を動いている。
きょだいなじゅうきがのそのそとこうじげんばをうごいている。
Giant heavy machinery is moving slowly across the construction site.
FigurativeApplies the 'large creature' feel to very heavy machinery.
Similar Words
Questions
Can nosonoso be used for inanimate objects?
It is typically for living things or machines that mimic biological movement, like large robots.
What is the main difference between nosonoso and noronoro?
Noronoro is about slow speed (like traffic), while nosonoso is about heavy, sluggish movement.
When should I use the 'to' particle with nosonoso?
Use 'to' when you want to emphasize the visual manner or 'feel' of the slow movement.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1009930
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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- のろのろ (noronoro)