Entry
うつらうつら
utsurautsura
The state of drifting in and out of sleep or being half-awake.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Describes a hazy state of consciousness where one is hovering between wakefulness and sleep. It is often used when dozing off due to pleasant warmth or exhaustion, or when suffering from a fever that prevents deep sleep.
- Dozing off slowly
- Being half-asleep due to fever or exhaustion
Sense Map
Dozing Off
Describes slowly falling asleep or losing focus due to drowsiness, often in a comfortable or monotonous environment.
電車でうつらうつらする。
Half-Asleep (Illness/Fatigue)
A state of fitful sleep where one is neither fully awake nor deeply asleep, typically caused by severe exhaustion or a high fever.
熱でうつらうつらしている。
Usage Note
How to Use
うつらうつらする
Used as a verb to mean 'to doze off' or 'to drift into sleep'.
うつらうつらしている
Expresses the ongoing state of being half-asleep or drifting in and out of sleep.
うつらうつらと + verb
Used as an adverbial phrase to modify verbs like sleeping or spending time, indicating the action is done in a half-awake state.
How to Use
Common Phrases
うつらうつらする
to doze off / nod off
うつらうつらしている
to be half-asleep / drowsy
うつらうつらと眠る
to sleep fitfully / drift in and out of sleep
熱でうつらうつらする
to be delirious/half-asleep from a fever
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| On moving transport | neutral | Commonly describes the feeling of slowly losing consciousness due to the gentle rocking of a train or bus. |
| When having a fever | negative | Used to describe a patient who is unable to wake up fully but cannot sleep deeply either, due to high body temperature. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
うとうと うとうと / similar | Used when unintentionally taking a light, pleasant nap or nodding off. | 'Utsurautsura' emphasizes the hazy, fluctuating state of consciousness and is frequently used for fever-induced stupor, whereas 'utouto' generally focuses on the lightness of the peaceful nap. | 授業中にうとうとする。 |
こっくりこっくり こっくりこっくり / similar | Focuses on the physical movement of the head nodding up and down while falling asleep. | 'Utsurautsura' describes the internal mental state of fading consciousness, while 'kokkurikokkuri' is a visual description of the head bobbing. | 椅子でこっくりこっくりする。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using it to describe a good, deep night's sleep.
Use 'ぐっすり' (gussuri) for deep, restful sleep. 'Utsurautsura' is only for a shallow, unstable sleeping state.
Using it for pretending to be asleep.
'Utsurautsura' is an involuntary state of dozing. For feigning sleep, use '狸寝入り' (tanuki-neiri).
Examples
Examples
暖かい日差しの中で、つい「うつらうつら」してしまった。
あたたかい ひざし の なかで、 つい 「うつらうつら」 して しまった。
In the warm sunlight, I unintentionally dozed off.
LiteralA common example of dozing off lightly in a comfortable environment.
高熱で一晩中「うつらうつら」していた。
こうねつ で ひとばんじゅう 「うつらうつら」 していた。
I was drifting in and out of sleep all night due to a high fever.
FigurativeShows a state where consciousness is impaired by illness, rather than a peaceful sleep.
電車に揺られて、「うつらうつら」と眠る。
でんしゃ に ゆられて、 「うつらうつら」 と ねむる。
Dozing off while being rocked by the train.
LiteralUsed as an adverb to describe how the person is sleeping.
授業中、先生の声を聞きながら「うつらうつら」し始めた。
じゅぎょう ちゅう、 せんせい の こえ を ききながら 「うつらうつら」 しはじめた。
During class, I started nodding off while listening to the teacher's voice.
LiteralA common situation where one loses focus due to a monotonous environment.
疲労のあまり、椅子に座ったまま「うつらうつら」してしまった。
ひろう の あまり、 いす に すわった まま 「うつらうつら」 して しまった。
I was so exhausted that I dozed off while sitting in the chair.
LiteralShows unintentional drowsiness caused by sheer exhaustion.
Similar Words
うとうと
utouto
Falling into a light, involuntary doze while in a seated or semi-active state. Similar, but 'utouto' focuses more on a peaceful light sleep, without the nuance of illness or fever.
こっくりこっくり
kokkurikokkuri
The repetitive motion of the head dropping and rising when someone is drowsy and dozing off. Describes the physical movement of the head nodding up and down while falling asleep.
Questions
What is the difference between 'utsurautsura' and 'utouto'?
They are very similar, but 'utsurautsura' carries a stronger nuance of consciousness fading in and out (drifting), and it is uniquely suited for describing a sick person's hazy state. 'Utouto' is more for a standard, light doze.
Can I use it if I eventually fall deeply asleep?
Yes, you can use it to describe the transition period before you fall deeply asleep, as it defines that exact in-between phase.
Is this a formal word?
It is an everyday word, neither overly formal nor slang, making it appropriate for daily conversation and descriptive writing.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2038330
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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