Entry
とろり
torori
Describes a smooth, thick texture or eyes feeling heavy with sleep.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes a pleasantly thick, smooth, and melting texture in foods and liquids, such as melted cheese or a rich sauce. It also figuratively describes the heavy, drooping feeling of eyelids when someone is becoming very sleepy.
- Smooth, thick, and melting texture of food.
- Heavy eyelids caused by peaceful drowsiness.
Sense Map
Thick and Creamy Texture
Used for liquids or foods that are thick, melting, and have a smooth consistency that is usually highly appetizing.
チーズがとろりと溶ける。
Drowsiness
Describes a sleepy state where one's gaze becomes unfocused and the eyelids feel heavy and ready to close.
眠気で目がとろりとする。
Usage Note
How to Use
とろりとする
Used as a predicate to state that something becomes thick, or that eyes become droopy from sleepiness.
とろりとした + Noun
Used to modify a noun, describing it as having a thick, smooth, and melting texture.
とろりと + Verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like melting or dripping) occurs in a thick, slow manner.
How to Use
Common Phrases
とろりとしたチーズ
thick, melted cheese
とろりと溶ける
to melt creamily
目がとろりとする
eyes become heavy with sleep
とろりとしたスープ
thickly textured soup
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Food texture | positive | Suggests a premium, mouth-watering quality in melted cheese, chocolate, or soft-boiled eggs. |
| Sleepiness | neutral | Depicts eyelids slowly closing without resistance due to comfort or warmth. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
とろっと とろっと / similar | Used with the same meaning, but sounds slightly more casual, sudden, and compact. | Lacks the prolonged, gentle sensation conveyed by とろり. | とろっとした卵 |
ねっとり ねっとり / similar | Used for textures that are highly viscous, sticky, and cling to the tongue or hands. | Not as light or smooth as とろり; can sometimes imply an excessive or cloying stickiness. | ねっとりしたクリーム |
どろっと どろっと / similar | Used for liquids that are coarsely thick, murky, or muddy. | Often has a negative or unappetizing connotation, unlike the appealing smoothness of とろり. | どろっとした血 |
うとうと うとうと / similar | Used specifically for the action of drifting in and out of sleep. | Focuses on the physical nodding of the head rather than the heavy feeling of the eyes. | 授業中にうとうとする |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using とろり to describe thick mud or dirty liquids.
Use どろどろ or どろっと for dirty or unappetizing thickness. とろり is almost always positive and used for appealing food.
Using it for full-body physical exhaustion.
Only use it for droopy eyes caused by peaceful sleepiness. For body fatigue, use ぐったり or くたくた.
Examples
Examples
ピザの上に、とろりとしたチーズがのっている。
ピザの うえに、 とろりとした チーズが のっている。
There is thick, melted cheese on top of the pizza.
VisualDescribes the visual of cheese melting perfectly and appetizingly.
スープを弱火で煮込むと、とろりとしてきた。
スープを よわびで にこむと、 とろりとしてきた。
After simmering on low heat, the soup began to thicken.
VisualFocuses on the slow change in the liquid's texture becoming thicker.
部屋が暖かくて、だんだん目がとろりとしてきた。
へやが あたたかくて、 だんだん めが とろりとしてきた。
Because the room was warm, my eyes gradually became heavy with sleep.
LiteralIndicates physical sleepiness that makes it difficult to keep the eyes open.
卵の黄身がとろりとこぼれた。
たまごの きみが とろりと こぼれた。
The egg yolk spilled out thickly and smoothly.
VisualDescribes a liquid flowing slowly due to its thickness.
甘いソースをとろりとかける。
あまい ソースを とろりと かける。
Pouring a thick, sweet sauce.
VisualFocuses on the manner in which the sauce is poured slowly over something.
Similar Words
どろっと
dorotto
Thick but with a dirty or murky connotation, unlike とろり.
とろっと
torotto
A word that describes an appealingly thick, melting, and creamy texture in food, or the state of one's eyes drooping heavily from sleepiness. A shorter, more casual version of とろり.
ねっとり
nettori
Nettori describes a thick, sticky, or viscous texture, or a persistent, clinging manner such as a lingering gaze. A texture that is much stickier than とろり.
うとうと
utouto
Falling into a light, involuntary doze while in a seated or semi-active state. Focuses on the action of dozing off, not the heavy eyes.
Questions
Can とろり be used for beverages?
Yes, if the beverage is thick, like a rich peach nectar or a smoothie, but not for thin liquids like water or tea.
What is the difference between とろり and とろとろ?
They are very similar. とろとろ emphasizes a continuous state of simmering or thickness, while とろり highlights a single moment of smooth melting or a sudden heavy feeling in the eyes.
Does とろり always mean sweet food?
No. It is frequently used for savory foods like thick soups, curry sauces, or soft-boiled eggs.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2568350
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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