Entry
のっしのっし
nosshinosshi
Describes the slow, heavy, and lumbering gait of a massive creature or person.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word representing the slow, deliberate, and heavy steps of something very large and weighty, such as a bear, an elephant, or a big person. It conveys a strong sense of massive weight shifting with each plodding step.
- heavy gait of a large animal
- lumbering steps of a large person
Sense Map
Large Animals & Monsters
Used to describe massive creatures like bears, elephants, or monsters walking with heavy, slow steps.
象がのっしのっしと歩く。
Large or Heavy Humans
Describes a big, heavy, or sometimes imposing person walking slowly and deliberately.
男がのしのしと近づく。
Usage Note
How to Use
のっしのっしと + verb
Usually followed by the particle 'to' and a verb of motion like 'aruku' (walk) or 'chikazuku' (approach).
のしのし + verb
A slightly shorter variant 'noshi-noshi' that is used directly before a verb without 'to', meaning exactly the same thing.
How to Use
Common Phrases
のっしのっしと歩く
to walk heavily / to lumber
のっしのっしと近づく
to approach with heavy steps
部屋をのしのし歩く
to plod around the room
のっしのっしと進む
to advance lumberingly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Animals | neutral | Perfect for bears, elephants, and large dinosaurs. |
| Humans | neutral to negative | Used for very large individuals, but can imply they look imposing, threatening, or sluggish. May be perceived as impolite. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のっそり のっそり / similar | Focuses on the slowness, sluggishness, or lack of agility in movement. | Does not emphasize massive physical weight shifting as much as 'nosshi-nosshi'. | のっそり立ち上がる |
どしんどしん どしんどしん / similar | Focuses on the loud, impactful, thudding sound of heavy footsteps. | While 'nosshi-nosshi' describes the visual heavy gait and shifting weight, 'doshin-doshin' focuses on the loud noise. | ドシンドシンと階段を上がる |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe someone running or stomping quickly.
Only use it for slow, deliberate, and plodding steps.
Using it for a thin person walking loudly.
The subject must be physically large, heavy, or imposing.
Examples
Examples
熊が森の中をのっしのっしと歩いている。
くまがもりのなかをのっしのっしとあるいている。
The bear is lumbering through the forest.
VisualDescribes how a large bear slowly shifts its body weight.
巨大な怪獣がのっしのっしと街に近づいてきた。
きょだいなかいじゅうがのっしのっしとまちにちかづいてきた。
The giant monster lumbered toward the city.
VisualOften used for giant monsters in fiction.
男が怒った様子でのしのしと部屋に入ってきた。
おとこがおこったようすでのしのしとへやにはいってきた。
The man lumbered into the room looking angry.
VisualThe variant 'noshi-noshi' also conveys large body weight or an imposing attitude.
大きな象がのっしのっしと進む姿は迫力がある。
おおきなぞうがのっしのっしとすすむすがたははくりょくがある。
The sight of a large elephant lumbering forward is impressive.
VisualFocuses on the power and weight as the animal moves forward.
相撲取りが土俵に向かってのっしのっしと歩いていく。
すもうとりがどひょうにむかってのっしのっしとあるいていく。
The sumo wrestler lumbers toward the ring (dohyo).
VisualCaptures the slow, powerful, and steady gait of a heavy sumo wrestler.
Similar Words
のっそり
nossori
Describes someone or something moving very slowly and heavily, or standing completely still without reacting. Emphasizes slowness and sluggishness rather than physical weight.
ドシンドシン
doshindoshin
Describes the loud, heavy sound of large footsteps. Focuses more on the loud thudding sound of the steps rather than the visual appearance.
Questions
Can I use nosshi-nosshi for someone walking loudly upstairs?
If they are walking slowly and are very heavy, yes. But if you just want to emphasize the loud noise of the footsteps, 'doshin-doshin' is better.
What is the difference between nosshi-nosshi and noshi-noshi?
They mean exactly the same thing. Nosshi-nosshi has a slight pause (sokuon) which can make the heavy steps feel even more deliberate.
Is this word polite to use about a person?
Generally no. It emphasizes large size and a heavy, animal-like gait, so it could be seen as rude if applied to a person directly.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2548300
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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