Entry
レロレロ
rerorero
レロレロ describes slurred, inarticulate, or indistinct speech caused by a lack of tongue control, typically from heavy intoxication or exhaustion.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word mimics the sound of a tongue slipping or failing to articulate properly. It is most commonly used to describe someone slurring their words because they are heavily drunk, extremely sleepy, or under the influence of anesthesia.
- Slurred speech from intoxication
- Inarticulate speech from fatigue or weakness
Sense Map
Intoxication
Used when someone's speech becomes indistinct or slurred due to drinking too much alcohol.
酔っ払って口調がレロレロになる。
Fatigue & Weakness
Used when the mouth muscles lack the strength to articulate words properly due to extreme tiredness, sleepiness, or medical influence.
眠くて言葉がロレロレだ。
Usage Note
How to Use
レロレロになる
Describes the transition of someone's speech becoming slurred or inarticulate.
レロレロと話す
Used as an adverb to describe the action of speaking indistinctly.
レロレロな
Used to modify a noun, describing a voice or tone that is slurred.
How to Use
Common Phrases
レロレロになる
to become slurred
れろれろと話す
to speak inarticulately
ロレロレな声
slurred voice
ろれろれに酔う
to get drunk to the point of slurring
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Heavy intoxication | negative or comedic | Often used to laugh at or emphasize the severity of someone's drunkenness because their voice sounds silly. |
| Fatigue or anesthesia | neutral | Indicates that the person lacks the muscle energy in their mouth to speak normally. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぎくしゃく ぎくしゃく / similar | Used when movements, speech, or relationships are stiff and lack smoothness. | ギクシャク refers to jerky stiffness, while レロレロ specifically describes loose, slurred articulation of the tongue. | ギクシャクした動き |
ぼんやり ぼんやり / similar | Used when something is visually dim, or when someone is absent-minded and their thoughts are unfocused. | ぼんやり describes vagueness of mind or vision, while レロレロ describes physically indistinct speech sounds. | ぼんやりと霞む |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to describe a heavy foreign accent or poor pronunciation by a language learner.
It is strictly for a temporary loss of physical tongue control, not a lack of language fluency.
Using it to describe a drunk person's staggering walk.
It only applies to slurred speech. For a staggering body, use words like フラフラ (furafura).
Examples
Examples
彼はすっかり酔っ払って、言葉がレロレロになっている。
かれはすっかりよっぱらって、ことばがレロレロになっている。
He is completely drunk, and his words have become slurred.
LiteralDescribes the sound of a tongue losing control due to alcohol.
徹夜明けで舌が回らず、れろれろと喋る。
てつやあけでしたがまわらず、れろれろとしゃべる。
After staying up all night, my tongue won't work properly and I speak inarticulately.
LiteralShows indistinct speech caused by physical exhaustion.
飲み過ぎたのか、電話の声がロレロレだった。
のみすぎたのか、でんわのこえがロレロレだった。
Maybe they drank too much, their voice on the phone was slurred.
LiteralUses the common inverted variation for a drunken voice.
麻酔のせいで口元が緩み、話し方がろれろれだ。
ますいのせいでくちもとがゆるみ、はなしかたがろれろれだ。
Because of the anesthesia, my mouth is loose and my way of speaking is slurred.
LiteralUsed for a medical influence where the tongue cannot be fully moved.
緊張しすぎて、スピーチの途中で声がレロレロになってしまった。
きんちょうしすぎて、スピーチのとちゅうでこえがレロレロになってしまった。
I got too nervous, and my voice became inarticulate in the middle of the speech.
LiteralShows articulation worsening due to strong emotions like nervousness.
Similar Words
ギクシャク
gikushaku
ギクシャク refers to jerky stiffness, while レロレロ is a loose, slipping tongue.
Questions
Can I use this word for a baby learning to speak?
No. For a babbling baby, use words like babu-babu. This word implies losing control over speech that you normally have.
What is the difference between rerorero and rolerole?
They share the exact same meaning and nuance. The inverted syllable order simply emphasizes the feeling of the tongue slipping.
Is it appropriate to use in formal situations?
No, it is highly informal. It should only be used in casual conversation among friends or in creative writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2733260
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- Needs review
- Active language
- English
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