Entry
そろりそろり
sororisorori
This term describes the action of moving very slowly, quietly, and cautiously, often to avoid making noise or losing balance.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
そろりそろり is an onomatopoeic word that depicts moving or doing something with extreme slowness, quietness, and caution. It is typically used when someone is creeping around stealthily so as not to be heard, or gingerly navigating a slippery or precarious surface to avoid falling or causing a mishap.
- moving cautiously
- stealthily
- gingerly
Sense Map
Cautious Movement
Moving very slowly and deliberately to avoid danger, such as slipping on a surface or dropping a fragile object.
氷の上をそろりそろり歩く
Stealthy Approach
Moving quietly and softly so as not to be noticed, heard, or to startle someone or something.
そろりそろりと部屋を抜け出す
Usage Note
How to Use
そろりそろりと + verb
The most common pattern, using the particle to modify verbs of movement (like walking, approaching, placing) with a slow and cautious nuance.
そろりそろり + verb
Used without the 'to' particle to directly modify verbs, often occurring in casual speech or storytelling.
How to Use
Common Phrases
そろりそろりと歩く
to walk very slowly and cautiously
そろりそろりと近づく
to approach stealthily
そろりそろりと動く
to move gingerly
そろりそろりと部屋を出る
to sneak out of a room quietly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Walking on dangerous or slippery ground. | neutral | Highlights intense caution to prevent accidents, such as treading on ice. |
| Approaching an animal or person without being detected. | neutral | Emphasizes the slow physical motion of the body to avoid making even the slightest sound. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
こっそり こっそり / similar | Used when the main focus is keeping an action secret or hidden from others. | It does not necessarily mean moving slowly; the action could be fast as long as it is kept a secret. | こっそり家を抜け出す |
そろそろ そろそろ / similar | Used to indicate that a time or event is approaching (soon, it's about time), or that a change is happening gradually. | It is not used to describe the physical manner of creeping or walking cautiously. | そろそろ帰ろう |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a slow process or the slow passage of time.
Use ゆっくり (yukkuri) or 徐々に (jojoni) instead. そろりそろり is strictly for cautious or stealthy physical movement.
Confusing it with pure secrecy like こっそり (kossori).
While you might move そろりそろり to avoid detection, the word focuses on the slow, cautious movement itself, whereas こっそり focuses on the secrecy.
Examples
Examples
泥棒は誰にも気づかれないように、そろりそろりと部屋に入った。
泥棒(どろぼう)は誰(だれ)にも気(き)づかれないように、そろりそろりと部屋(へや)に入(はい)った。
The thief entered the room very slowly and quietly so as not to be noticed.
VisualShows an intentionally slow movement to remain silent.
赤ちゃんを起こさないように、ベッドからそろりそろりと抜け出した。
赤(あか)ちゃんを起(お)こさないように、ベッドからそろりそろりと抜(ぬ)け出(だ)した。
I slipped out of bed slowly and quietly so as not to wake the baby.
LiteralDescribes carefulness to avoid disturbing someone.
凍った道で滑らないように、そろりそろりと歩いた。
凍(こお)った道(みち)で滑(すべ)らないように、そろりそろりと歩(ある)いた。
I walked very slowly and cautiously on the frozen road so as not to slip.
LiteralEmphasizes extremely slow steps to avoid falling.
猫は獲物に気づかれないよう、そろりそろりと近づいていった。
猫(ねこ)は獲物(えもの)に気(き)づかれないよう、そろりそろりと近(ちか)づいていった。
The cat approached its prey very slowly and stealthily so as not to be noticed.
VisualFocuses on the stealthy body movements during a hunt.
彼は壊れやすい花瓶を、両手でそろりそろりとテーブルに置いた。
彼(かれ)は壊(こわ)れやすい花瓶(かびん)を、両手(りょうて)でそろりそろりとテーブルに置(お)いた。
He placed the fragile vase on the table very slowly and carefully with both hands.
LiteralDescribes very slow and cautious hand movements.
Similar Words
こっそり
kossori
Doing something secretly or stealthily so that others do not notice. Focuses on the secrecy of the action, not on the slowness of the physical movement.
そろそろ
sorosoro
Sorosoro indicates that a specific time or event is approaching soon, or describes moving slowly and carefully. Means a time is approaching soon, not a physical way of walking.
のっそり
nossori
Describes someone or something moving very slowly and heavily, or standing completely still without reacting.
Questions
What is the difference between そろりそろり and ゆっくり?
ゆっくり broadly means slow or leisurely and can apply to time, speaking, or relaxing. そろりそろり specifically describes physical movement that is extremely slow and cautious to avoid noise or harm.
Can I use it to say 'I am learning slowly'?
No. For learning slowly, phrases like 少しずつ (little by little) or ゆっくり are appropriate.
Does そろりそろり always have a negative, sneaky connotation?
Not at all. It is frequently used for positive care, like not wanting to wake a sleeping baby or carrying a delicate vase safely.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2863908
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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