Entry
てくてく
tekuteku
Walking a long distance at a steady, continuous pace.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
A mimetic word that describes the steady, continuous plodding of walking a long distance. Metaphorically, it can also describe doing something earnestly and single-mindedly, making steady progress step by step.
- walking steadily over a long distance
- working earnestly step by step
Sense Map
Steady Walking
Describes walking a long distance at a continuous, steady pace, sometimes with a slight sense of plodding or trudging.
てくてく歩く
Earnest Effort
Describes working on a task earnestly and steadily, progressing step by step without rushing or stopping.
てくてく進める
Usage Note
How to Use
てくてく + 動詞
Used directly before verbs related to walking or progressing (like 歩く or 進む) as an adverb.
てくてくと + 動詞
The particle と (to) is added to give a slightly more descriptive or narrative emphasis to the steady manner of walking.
How to Use
Common Phrases
てくてく歩く
to walk at a steady pace
てくてくと歩く
to trudge along
てくてく進む
to progress steadily
てくてく帰る
to walk all the way home
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Walking a long distance, like hiking or walking home. | neutral | Implies endurance and a steady rhythm. |
| Tackling a large amount of work. | positive | Focuses on the positive trait of being steadfast and diligent. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
すたすた すたすた / contrast | When someone is walking briskly and without hesitation. | てくてく is a steady, almost plodding pace for long distances, whereas すたすた emphasizes speed and briskness. | すたすた歩く |
ぶらぶら ぶらぶら / contrast | When strolling aimlessly or hanging around. | てくてく implies steady movement, usually with a destination, unlike the aimless wandering of ぶらぶら. | ぶらぶら歩く |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it for running or hurrying.
てくてく implies a moderate, steady walking pace, not rushing.
Using it to describe walking with a limp or in pain.
It describes a healthy, regular, and continuous stride, rather than struggling to walk.
Examples
Examples
駅から家までてくてく歩いた。
えきからいえまでてくてくあるいた。
I walked steadily all the way from the station to my house.
LiteralEmphasizes the steady pace of a long walk.
子供が前をてくてくと歩いている。
こどもがまえをてくてくとあるいている。
The child is plodding along steadily in front.
VisualOften used for children or small animals walking steadily independently.
毎日てくてく進めることが大切です。
まいにちてくてくすすめることがたいせつです。
It's important to make steady progress step by step every day.
FigurativeMetaphorical usage for doing something earnestly and consistently.
重い荷物を背負って、山道をてくてく登る。
おもいにもつをせおって、やまみちをてくてくのぼる。
Carrying a heavy load, I plodded steadily up the mountain path.
LiteralShows endurance over a difficult or long distance.
彼は一人でてくてくと帰っていった。
かれはひとりでてくてくとかえっていった。
He walked all the way home alone at a steady pace.
VisualHighlights the continuous walking action without stopping.
Similar Words
すたすた
sutasuta
Describes the action of walking briskly and purposefully without hesitation. すたすた (sutasuta) is faster and brisker than てくてく.
ぶらぶら
burabura
A state of hanging loosely and swaying, or spending time and walking aimlessly in a relaxed manner. ぶらぶら (burabura) is aimless strolling, contrasting with the steady, purposeful pace of てくてく.
つかつか
tsukatsuka
Walking briskly and directly toward someone or something without hesitation.
そろそろ
sorosoro
Sorosoro indicates that a specific time or event is approaching soon, or describes moving slowly and carefully.
Questions
Does てくてく imply being tired?
Not necessarily tired, but it often implies covering a significant distance, which might involve some effort or plodding.
Can I use it for driving a car steadily?
No, てくてく is specifically associated with the physical act of walking step by step.
Is it a cute word?
It can sound slightly endearing, especially when describing children or small animals walking steadily, but it's used for adults too.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1008260
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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