Entry
揺ら揺ら
yurayura
It describes a slow, gentle, and continuous swaying or wavering motion.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
Yurayura is used to express light, repetitive, and gentle movements. It commonly describes things without a fixed shape like flames, smoke, and water surfaces, or light objects peacefully suspended in air or liquid.
- Swaying of light objects
- Wavering of shapeless things
Sense Map
Swaying Motion
The slow swaying or floating of light objects in the air or water.
クラゲがゆらゆらと泳ぐ。
Wavering Shape
The continuous, soft wavering of shapeless elements like flames or smoke.
炎がゆらゆらする。
Usage Note
How to Use
ゆらゆらと + verb
Describes the manner of a slow, swaying action using the particle 'to'.
ゆらゆら + verb
Used directly before a verb in a slightly more casual or compact way.
ゆらゆらする
Acts as a standalone verb meaning to sway, rock, or waver gently.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ゆらゆらと揺れる
sway gently
炎がゆらゆらする
flames waver
煙がゆらゆら立ち上る
smoke rises waveringly
ゆらゆら泳ぐ
swim swayingly
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Suspended or floating objects | neutral | Describes light objects being gently moved by the wind or water currents without resistance. |
| Fire and smoke | neutral | Describes the soft, continuously changing shape of a small flame or smoothly rising smoke. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ぐらぐら ぐらぐら / contrast | Used for violent shaking or unstable, rattling foundations. | Unlike the soft yurayura, guragura implies rough, intense, or structurally dangerous movement. | 地震で家がグラグラ揺れる。 |
ゆさゆさ ゆさゆさ / contrast | Used for the slow swaying of large or heavy objects. | While yurayura is light and weightless, yusayusa involves significant weight and momentum. | 大木がゆさゆさ揺れる。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using yurayura to describe the shaking of a major earthquake.
Use guragura or gatagata for violent, unstable shaking.
Using yurayura for a dizzy person staggering on their feet.
Use furafura to describe a person's loss of physical balance.
Examples
Examples
ろうそくの火がゆらゆらと揺れている。
ろうそく の ひ が ゆらゆら と ゆれている。
The candle flame is gently wavering.
VisualUsed to describe the soft, continuous shape-shifting of a small flame.
クラゲが海の中をゆらゆら泳いでいる。
クラゲ が うみ の なか を ゆらゆら およいでいる。
A jellyfish is swimming swayingly in the sea.
VisualCaptures the weightless, slow drifting motion underwater.
煙突から煙がゆらゆら立ち上っている。
えんとつ から けむり が ゆらゆら たちのぼっている。
Smoke is rising waveringly from the chimney.
VisualDescribes the non-linear, soft path of rising smoke.
小船が波でゆらゆらと揺れる。
こぶね が なみ で ゆらゆら と ゆれる。
A small boat rocks gently on the waves.
LiteralDescribes the soft rocking of an object resting on gentle waves.
柳の枝が風に吹かれてゆらゆらしている。
やなぎ の えだ が かぜ に ふかれて ゆらゆら している。
The willow branches are gently swaying in the wind.
VisualUsed for thin, light objects continuously moved by a soft breeze.
Similar Words
ゆさゆさ
yusayusa
A slow, heavy swaying or shaking movement, typically of something large. Indicates the swaying of heavy objects, differing from the weightless feel of yurayura.
ぶらぶら
burabura
A state of hanging loosely and swaying, or spending time and walking aimlessly in a relaxed manner.
ふらふら
furafura
Describes a lack of stability, whether physically (feeling dizzy or walking unsteadily) or mentally (being indecisive or wandering aimlessly).
ひらひら
hirahira
Hirahira describes the light, gentle fluttering or flapping motion of thin objects like petals or cloth in the wind, or refers to frilly designs.
ぐらぐら
guragura
This word describes something shaking because its foundation is unstable, water at a rolling boil, or a dizzy feeling in the head. Describes violent, unstable shaking, contrasting with the gentle sway of yurayura.
Questions
Can yurayura be used for emotional wavering?
It is primarily a visual word for physical movements. It is rarely used naturally for emotional indecision.
How is it different from furafura?
Yurayura is for the gentle, rhythmic swaying of objects, while furafura implies an unsteady loss of balance, most often in people.
Can I use it for stormy weather?
No, yurayura is too gentle. It implies a peaceful breeze or soft current, not extreme weather.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1013080
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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