Entry
にゅるり
nyururi
A mimetic word describing a smooth, slippery, or slimy slithering motion, or something wet and gelatinous slipping out.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Nyururi represents the single, smooth movement of something wet, slimy, or flexible. It is often used to describe animals like snakes or eels slithering, or thick liquids and gels like cream smoothly squeezing out of a container.
- slithering of slimy animals
- smooth squeezing of gels
Sense Map
Slithering animals
Describes the smooth, wriggling movement of wet or slimy creatures like eels, snakes, or tentacles.
蛇がにゅるりと動く。
Squeezing gels
Describes thick liquids, creams, or pastes smoothly slipping or spurting out of a small opening.
チューブからにゅるりと出る。
Usage Note
How to Use
にゅるりと + verb
Acts as an adverb modifying verbs of movement, such as 'to come out' (出る), 'to slip' (滑る), or 'to move' (動く).
にゅるりとした + noun
Acts as a modifier to describe a noun that has a slippery, smooth, and slightly slimy texture.
How to Use
Common Phrases
にゅるりと抜け出す
to slip out smoothly (and slimily)
にゅるりと動く
to slither or wriggle smoothly
にゅるりと這い出る
to crawl out slitheringly
にゅるりと伸びる
to extend slitheringly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Slimy creatures like eels and snakes | Slightly negative | Emphasizes the eerie, frictionless way they move. |
| Pastes and gels like toothpaste | Neutral | Describes the smooth, continuous shape as it is squeezed out. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
にゅるにゅる にゅるにゅる / similar | Use to describe a continuous slimy state or an ongoing slithering action. | Nyururi focuses on a single smooth movement or slipping out once. | ニュルニュル動く |
するり するり / similar | Use for smooth, frictionless movements without any slimy or wet texture. | Sururi is clean and dry; nyururi implies wetness, slime, or a gel-like substance. | するりと抜ける |
つるり つるり / similar | Use for smooth, slippery surfaces, typically hard or glossy. | Tsururi focuses on a smooth surface, while nyururi emphasizes a flexible, slimy, or gelatinous movement. | つるりと滑る |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using nyururi to describe a polished, smooth floor.
Nyururi implies wetness or slime. For a polished floor, use tsurutsuru or sururi for slipping.
Confusing nyururi with nyurunuyru for continuous actions.
Nyururi is a single action. For continuous wriggling, use nyurunuyru.
Examples
Examples
蛇が草むらからにゅるりと這い出てきた。
へびがくさむらからにゅるりとはいでてきた。
A snake slithered out smoothly from the grass.
VisualDescribes the smooth and slightly eerie movement of the snake.
ウナギを手で掴もうとしたが、にゅるりと抜け出した。
うなぎをてでつかもうとしたが、にゅるりとぬけだした。
I tried to grab the eel with my hands, but it slipped out slimily.
LiteralFocuses on the frictionless, slippery sensation of it escaping from the grip.
チューブを押すと、クリームがにゅるりと出てきた。
ちゅーぶをおすと、くりーむがにゅるりとでてきた。
When I pressed the tube, the cream squeezed out smoothly.
VisualDescribes a paste-like substance such as cream being smoothly pushed out.
タコの触手が暗闇からにゅるりと伸びた。
たこのしょくしゅがくらやみからにゅるりとのびた。
The octopus's tentacle extended slitheringly from the darkness.
VisualIllustrates the extension of a boneless, flexible creature.
彼の足元に、得体の知れないものがにゅるりと動いた。
かれのあしもとに、えたいのしれないものがにゅるりとうごいた。
Something unidentifiable wriggled slimily at his feet.
VisualConveys an eerie movement that implies a slimy texture.
Similar Words
ニュルニュル
nyurunyuru
A word describing a slithering, wriggling movement or a wet, slimy texture. Refers to a continuous wriggling or a permanently slimy state.
するり
sururi
Sururi (するり) is a Japanese adverb describing a smooth, fast, and unhindered movement. Used for smooth, unhindered movements without any wet or slimy texture.
つるり
tsururi
Describes something completely smooth to the touch or sliding effortlessly without friction. Focuses on hard, smooth, and slippery surfaces, lacking gelatinous flexibility.
にゅるっと
nyurutto
Describes the motion of a slimy object slipping out, or behaving in a hesitant, cowering manner.
Questions
Is nyururi a sound or a feeling?
It is a gitaigo or mimetic word that describes the visual movement and the tactile feeling of something slippery, not an actual sound.
Can I use nyururi for someone slipping on ice?
No, nyururi implies something slimy or gelatinous. Slipping on ice would be tsururi or sutten.
What is the difference between nyururi and nyurunuyru?
Nyururi describes a single sliding or squeezing motion, while nyurunuyru describes a continuous slimy state or ongoing wriggling.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2838245
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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