Entry
のたり
notari
Describes a very slow, relaxed, or leisurely movement or state, often associated with gentle undulating waves.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word expresses a slow, unhurried motion or a peaceful, relaxed state of being. It is particularly famous for its association with the gentle, rolling movement of the spring sea in classical Japanese poetry.
- Slow, gentle physical movement (e.g., waves).
- A relaxed, unhurried human or animal state.
Sense Map
Slow Movement (Nature/Objects)
Used to describe something moving very slowly and softly, often with a gentle rolling or swelling motion like the ocean.
波がのたりと寄せる
Leisurely State (People/Animals)
Describes spending time without any rush, stress, or urgency; being completely relaxed.
のたりと過ごす
Usage Note
How to Use
のたりと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action is performed slowly and calmly.
のたり + verb
A slightly shorter adverbial form, functioning the same way to modify the verb.
のたりの + noun
Used to modify a noun, indicating that the noun possesses a slow, relaxing quality.
How to Use
Common Phrases
波がのたりと
waves rolling gently
のたりと動く
to move leisurely
のたりと進む
to progress slowly and calmly
のたりと横になる
to lie down relaxedly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Ocean and waves | Positive/Poetic | Strongly associated with the imagery of a calm sea softly swelling in the spring. |
| Relaxing time | Positive | Highlights a state of being completely free from the rush of daily life. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ゆっくり ゆっくり / similar | Use for any general slowness or taking one's time in daily life. | Lacks the poetic, undulating nuance specifically associated with nature or profound calmness. | ゆっくり歩く。 |
のたりのたり のたりのたり / similar | Use when you want to emphasize the repetitive, continuous nature of the slow movement. | Almost identical in meaning, but feels more drawn out and continuous. | 波がのたりのたりと寄せる。 |
おっとり おっとり / similar | Use to describe someone's gentle, calm, and unfazed personality. | Not typically used for physical movements of objects or nature; it applies to character traits. | おっとりした性格。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to complain about someone being slow or late to a meeting.
Use '遅い' (osoi). This word is for peaceful, unhurried situations, not delays.
Using it for a slow internet connection or lagging computer.
This word does not apply to mechanical delays or lag; it is for physical, graceful slowness or human relaxation.
Examples
Examples
波がのたりと岸に打ち寄せる。
なみが のたりと きしに うちよせる。
The waves roll slowly and gently onto the shore.
VisualDescribes the very slow rolling motion of waves.
休日をのたりと過ごす。
きゅうじつを のたりと すごす。
Spending the day off in a very leisurely way.
FigurativeShows a relaxed state without any rush.
船が水面をのたりと進む。
ふねが すいめんを のたりと すすむ。
The boat progresses slowly across the water's surface.
VisualDescribes the smooth, slow progression of a heavy object.
猫が日向でのたりと寝転がっている。
ねこが ひなたで のたりと ねころがっている。
The cat is lying down relaxedly in the sunshine.
VisualPortrays comfort and a complete lack of tension.
春の海にはのたりの波が似合う。
はるの うみには のたりの なみが にあう。
Slowly rolling waves perfectly suit the spring sea.
LiteralDirectly references the famous association of this word with the spring sea.
Similar Words
ゆっくり
yukkuri
ゆっくり describes taking one's time, moving without haste, or being in a state of comfortable relaxation. The general word for 'slowly'.
のたりのたり
notarinotari
のたりのたり describes a slow, gentle, and continuous rolling or undulating motion, most commonly used for ocean waves. Reduplicated form for emphasizing continuous slow movement.
おっとり
ottori
A calm, gentle, and unhurried personality or demeanor. Used for a calm, gentle personality.
のそり
nosori
Describes a slow, heavy, and somewhat sluggish physical movement, often associated with a large mass like a big animal or a heavily built person.
Questions
Is this word used in everyday Japanese?
Not very often. It is more literary. In casual conversation, native speakers prefer 'yukkuri' or 'nonbiri'.
Can I use it for an animal, like a cat?
Yes, it perfectly describes a cat stretching or lying leisurely in the sun without a care in the world.
Why is it often associated with spring?
Because of a famous haiku by the poet Yosa Buson, which describes the spring sea swelling and rolling all day long.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2846209
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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