Entry
ニュルニュル
nyurunyuru
A word describing a slithering, wriggling movement or a wet, slimy texture.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
ニュルニュル is used to describe the wriggling, sliding movement of long, slippery creatures (like eels or worms) or the squishy extrusion of thick, slimy substances (like paste). It conveys a wet, slippery, and sometimes slightly creepy or gross feeling.
- Wriggling movement of slippery creatures.
- Slimy, slippery texture.
- Squishy extrusion of thick pastes.
Sense Map
Slithering & Wriggling
Describes the movement of something long, slippery, and flexible, like an eel, snake, or tentacle.
ウナギがにゅるにゅると逃げた。
Squishy & Slimy Extrusion
Describes a thick, slippery substance (like cream, paste, or mud) being squeezed out or sliding around.
チューブから歯磨き粉がニュルニュルと出る。
Usage Note
How to Use
ニュルニュルと + verb
Describes the manner of an action, focusing on a slithering or squishy wriggling movement.
ニュルニュル + verb
A more casual variant of the adverbial use, attached directly without a particle.
ニュルニュルする
Functions as a verb to describe a state of being slimy, slippery, or squishy to the touch.
ニュルニュルの + noun
Modifies a noun, meaning 'a slimy [noun]' or 'a wriggly [noun]'.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ニュルニュル動く
to move in a slithering, wriggling way
にゅるにゅる滑る
to slip slimily/squishily
ニュルニュルした触手
slimy, wriggling tentacles
にゅるにゅる出る
to squeeze out squishily (like paste)
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Wriggling creatures | Often negative or creepy | Frequently used for worms, snakes, or tentacles, giving a creepy, slimy impression. |
| Squeezing from a tube | Neutral | Describes a thick paste like toothpaste or mayonnaise coming out in a continuous, slightly wriggly shape. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
にょろにょろ にょろにょろ / similar | Use when emphasizing the long, thin, winding movement (like a snake), without implying a wet or slimy texture. | Does not imply the sliminess, wetness, or squishiness of nyurunnyuru. | 蛇がにょろにょろ進む。 |
ぬるぬる ぬるぬる / similar | Use when describing a purely slimy or slippery surface texture, like soap or a fish's skin. | Lacks the nuance of wriggling or squishy movement. | 石鹸で手がぬるぬるする。 |
くねくね くねくね / similar | Use for a twisting, bending, or meandering motion or shape, such as a winding mountain road or a dancing body. | Completely dry; does not involve wetness, sliminess, or squishiness. | 道がくねくね曲がる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for smooth, dry surfaces like ice or polished wood.
ニュルニュル implies wetness, sliminess, or squishiness. For hard, smooth surfaces, use つるつる (tsurutsuru).
Using it for any winding path or movement.
If the movement is just meandering without being slimy or slippery, like a winding road, use くねくね (kunekune) instead.
Examples
Examples
ウナギが手からにゅるにゅると滑り落ちた。
ウナギがてからにゅるにゅるとすべりおちた。
The eel slipped slitheringly out of my hands.
VisualFocuses on the slippery, sliding escape of a wet creature.
土の中からミミズがにゅるにゅる出てきた。
つちのなかからミミズがにゅるにゅるでてきた。
An earthworm wriggled out of the dirt.
VisualHighlights the wriggling motion of a long, soft body.
チューブから歯磨き粉がニュルニュルと出る。
チューブからはみがきこがニュルニュルとでる。
Toothpaste squeezes out of the tube in a squiggly line.
VisualDescribes a thick paste being squeezed out continuously.
その怪物はニュルニュルした触手を持っている。
そのかいぶつはニュルニュルしたしょくしゅをもっている。
That monster has slimy, wriggling tentacles.
VisualUsed as a modifier to describe something slimy and wriggly.
泥の中で足がニュルニュル滑る。
どろのなかであしがニュルニュルすべる。
My feet keep slipping in the slimy mud.
LiteralDescribes the squishy, slippery sensation of walking in wet mud.
Similar Words
にょろにょろ
nyoronyoro
Nyoronyoro describes continuous slithering, wriggling, or slippery movement. Focuses on the long, winding movement without necessarily being slimy.
くねくね
kunekune
Describes a continuous, repetitive winding or wriggling motion or shape. A completely dry meandering or bending motion, like a winding road.
ぬるぬる
nurunuru
Describes a slimy and slippery texture, or in modern slang, animation that moves extremely smoothly. Only describes a slimy surface texture, lacking the wriggling or squishing movement.
Questions
Can I use this word for a snake?
Yes, especially if you want to emphasize its slithering, slippery, and slightly creepy movement.
Is it the same as tsurutsuru?
No, tsurutsuru is for hard, smooth, polished surfaces (like ice or glass), whereas nyurunnyuru implies a wet, slimy, or squishy movement.
How is it different from nurunuru?
Nurunuru only describes the slimy texture on a surface, whereas nyurunnyuru often includes the visual action of wriggling or being squeezed out.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2841421
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- にゅるっと (nyurutto)
- Next entry
- ごちょごちょ (gochogocho)