Entry
のっそり
nossori
Describes someone or something moving very slowly and heavily, or standing completely still without reacting.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes the sluggish, lumbering movement of large animals or unmotivated people. It conveys a lack of agility and energy, and can also be used to describe someone standing completely still in an impassive, unresponsive manner.
- moving sluggishly and heavily
- standing impassively
Sense Map
Slow and heavy movement
Moving slowly with a sense of heaviness and lack of energy, often used for large animals or tired people.
熊がのっそりと歩く。
Standing impassively
Standing completely still without showing any emotion, reaction, or agility.
部屋の隅にのっそり立っている。
Usage Note
How to Use
のっそり（と） + verb
Used with action verbs like "walk" or "stand up" to describe doing so in a sluggish, heavy manner.
のっそりする
Acts as a verb to indicate behaving sluggishly or lacking energy.
のっそりした + noun
Modifies a noun to describe a person or animal that is sluggish or heavy in their movements.
How to Use
Common Phrases
のっそり歩く
to walk sluggishly or lumberingly
のっそり立ち上がる
to stand up slowly and heavily
のっそり現れる
to slowly make an appearance
のっそりと動く
to move sluggishly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Large animals moving | neutral | Objectively describes the heavy, lumbering movement of large creatures. |
| People's actions | negative | Implies the person is tired, unmotivated, or unresponsive, which can come across as critical. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
のそのそ のそのそ / similar | Very similar to "nossori," but the repetition emphasizes continuous, slow, and sluggish movement (like plodding step by step). | "Nossori" can be used for a single heavy action or standing still, whereas "nosonoso" usually implies continuous motion like walking. | のそのそと歩く。 |
のっしのっし のっしのっし / similar | Used for the heavy, powerful, and deliberate footsteps of massive creatures like elephants or sumo wrestlers. | "Nossori" implies sluggishness or lack of energy, while "nosshinosshi" highlights sheer weight and power with each step. | のっしのっしと歩く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a slow process, like a computer loading or finishing a task slowly.
"Nossori" is strictly for physical, visual movements or postures of living things, not for the speed of tasks or processes.
Using it to mean "relaxing" or taking one's time in a positive way.
"Nossori" lacks agility and energy. For relaxing and taking your time, use "yukkuri" or "nonbiri" instead.
Examples
Examples
大きな熊が森の奥からのっそりと姿を現した。
おおきな くま が もりの おく から のっそり と すがた を あらわした。
A large bear slowly and heavily made an appearance from deep within the forest.
VisualEmphasizes the heavy body and sluggish movement.
彼は部屋の隅にのっそりと立っていて、何も言わなかった。
かれ は へや の すみ に のっそり と たって いて、なに も いわなかった。
He stood impassively in the corner of the room, saying nothing.
VisualShows a lack of reaction or movement, like a heavy object.
疲れていたのか、彼はソファからのっそり立ち上がった。
つかれて いた の か、かれ は そふぁ から のっそり たちあがった。
Perhaps because he was tired, he sluggishly stood up from the sofa.
LiteralDepicts physical reluctance or exhaustion.
のっそりした動きの亀を、子供たちがじっと見つめている。
のっそり した うごき の かめ を、こども たち が じっと みつめて いる。
The children are staring intently at the turtle with its slow, sluggish movements.
VisualHighlights the lack of agility.
名前を呼ばれても、彼はのっそりと振り返るだけだった。
なまえ を よばれて も、かれ は のっそり と ふりかえる だけ だった。
Even when his name was called, he only sluggishly turned around.
LiteralIndicates a lack of enthusiasm or a slow response.
Similar Words
のっしのっし
nosshinosshi
Emphasizes the heavy, powerful steps of massive creatures.
Questions
What is the difference between "nossori" and "yukkuri"?
"Yukkuri" simply means "slowly" and can be positive (leisurely, carefully). "Nossori" specifically means sluggishly or heavily, implying a lack of energy or agility.
Can I use "nossori" for a slow train or car?
Generally no. It's usually reserved for living creatures (humans, animals) whose physical movements appear heavy or unmotivated.
What does it mean if someone is "standing nossori"?
It means they are standing there completely still, impassively, without reacting to their surroundings—like a heavy, unmoving object.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2454380
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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