Entry
ぬるぬる
nurunuru
Describes a slimy and slippery texture, or in modern slang, animation that moves extremely smoothly.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word is used to describe something with a wet, slimy surface that makes it difficult to hold onto. In internet and gaming culture, it is also frequently used to praise computer graphics or animations that run flawlessly without any stuttering.
- Wet and slimy texture
- Smooth and fluid movement (slang)
Sense Map
Slimy and Slippery
Used for physical objects that have a wet, mucous-like surface making them hard to grip, such as eels, soap, or moss.
石鹸で手がぬるぬるする
Smooth (Animation/Games)
A modern slang usage describing computer graphics or character animations that move very fluidly.
画面がぬるぬる動く
Usage Note
How to Use
ぬるぬるする
Used as a verb to state that an object feels slimy or slippery to the touch.
ぬるぬる（と）動く
ぬるぬるになる
ぬるぬるの + 名詞
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぬるぬるする
to feel slimy or slippery
ぬるぬる動く
to move very smoothly
ぬるぬるになる
to become slimy
ぬるぬる滑る
to slip and slide
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Touching a frog or eel | Neutral to negative | Very commonly used to describe aquatic or amphibious animals with a protective slimy coating. |
| Discussing a new high-spec video game | Positive | Gamers use this to praise game optimization and high frame rates that provide a seamless visual experience. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
つるつる つるつる / contrast | Use つるつる for surfaces that are extremely smooth, polished, and free of friction, like ice or clean glass. | つるつる does not involve any liquid or slime making the object wet, whereas ぬるぬる always implies moisture. | つるつるの床 |
ぬめぬめ ぬめぬめ / similar | Use ぬめぬめ for something covered in a thick layer of slime, often glistening due to moisture. | They are very similar, but ぬめぬめ emphasizes a thicker, more repulsive layer of slime, while ぬるぬる focuses more on the slippery sensation when touched. | ぬめぬめした生き物 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using ぬるぬる to describe a slippery ice rink.
Use つるつる for ice. ぬるぬる requires a liquid or slime coating, not just a friction-free solid surface.
Using ぬるぬる to praise someone's smooth, clear skin.
Use すべすべ for smooth human skin. Calling skin ぬるぬる implies it is covered in sweat, grease, or slime.
Examples
Examples
川底の石が苔でぬるぬるしている。
かわぞこの いしが こけで ぬるぬるしている。
The stones at the bottom of the river are slimy with moss.
LiteralDescribes the moss making the surface of the stones wet and slippery.
石鹸がついた手はぬるぬるして、ドアのノブが回せない。
せっけんが ついた ては ぬるぬるして、ドアの ノブが まわせない。
My soapy hands are slippery, so I can't turn the doorknob.
LiteralA classic example of something becoming slippery due to a liquid layer (soap and water).
このゲームのキャラクターはとてもぬるぬる動く。
この ゲームの キャラクターは とても ぬるぬる うごく。
The characters in this game move very smoothly.
VisualSlang usage to praise smooth, stutter-free animation.
ウナギはぬるぬるしていて、手で掴むのが難しい。
ウナギは ぬるぬるしていて、てで つかむのが むずかしい。
Eels are slimy and difficult to catch with your hands.
LiteralExplains the natural slime on aquatic animals that makes them slippery.
雨上がりの山道は泥でぬるぬる滑るので、気をつけてください。
あめあがりの やまみちは どろで ぬるぬる すべるので、きをつけて ください。
The mountain path after the rain is slippery with mud, so please be careful.
LiteralWet mud (a mixture of dirt and water) creates a slimy, slippery surface.
Similar Words
ぬめぬめ
ぬめぬめ
Use ぬめぬめ for something covered in a thick layer of slime, often glistening due to moisture. They are very similar, but ぬめぬめ emphasizes a thicker, more repulsive layer of slime, while ぬるぬる focuses more on the slippery sensation when touched.
Questions
Does ぬるぬる have a negative meaning?
It depends on the context. For physical objects, it often feels dirty or uncomfortable. However, for games or animation, it is high praise.
What is the difference between this and つるつる?
つるつる means slippery because the surface is solid and perfectly even (like glass). ぬるぬる means slippery because there is liquid or slime on it.
Why is this word used for video games?
Because smooth on-screen movement feels as if there is no friction at all, flowing like a liquid, leading to its adoption as internet slang.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 919781693
- Source
- Internal
- Source URL
- kotobank.jp/word/ぬるぬる
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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