Entry
ぞろっと
zorotto
Coming out or moving all together in a large mass, or being dressed in a loose, sloppy manner.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word describes a situation where many people or things move, gather, or emerge all at once like a single large lump. It is also used to criticize someone's style of dress when their clothes are too loose, untidy, or overly casual for the given occasion.
- Moving in a mass
- Sloppy attire
Sense Map
In a Large Group
Describes people or things emerging, moving, or gathering en masse and all at once.
人がぞろっと出てくる
Dressed Sloppily
Describes a manner of dressing that is excessively loose, dragging, untidy, or inappropriate for the occasion.
ぞろっとした服を着る
Usage Note
How to Use
ぞろっと + verb
Used as an adverb to describe how an action (like emerging or gathering) is performed en masse.
ぞろっとした + noun
Acts as a modifier, typically preceding words for clothing (服 or 格好) to describe an untidy appearance.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぞろっと出てくる
to come out all together in a mass
ぞろっとした服
loose and sloppy clothes
人がぞろっと
people (in a large mass)
ぞろっとした格好
untidy appearance
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Movement of People/Things | neutral | Indicates a large number moving or emerging collectively. |
| Clothing Style | negative | Gives the impression of being lazy, unkempt, or improperly dressed. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずらっと ずらっと / contrast | Use when people or things are lined up neatly and orderly. | Does not mean sloppy or bundled together. Zorotto focuses on a mass emerging together without strict row-like order. | 本がずらっと並んでいる |
だぼだぼ だぼだぼ / similar | Use when clothing size is objectively too big for the wearer. | Simply refers to oversize fit, while zorotto implies the overall look is lazy, unkempt, or disrespectful for the venue. | だぼだぼのズボン |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using this word to compliment someone's fashionable oversized streetwear.
Zorotto carries a negative nuance meaning untidy or inappropriate. Avoid using it as a compliment.
Using zorotto to describe items neatly displayed on a store shelf.
Use zuratto for neatly arranged items. Zorotto is for things clustered or spilling out all at once.
Examples
Examples
映画館から人がぞろっと出てきた。
映画館(えいがかん)から人(ひと)がぞろっと出(で)てきた。
People came out of the movie theater all together in a mass.
VisualIndicates a crowd of people emerging all at the same time.
彼はいつもぞろっとした服を着ている。
彼(かれ)はいつもぞろっとした服(ふく)を着(き)ている。
He is always wearing loose, sloppy clothes.
VisualUsed to criticize an untidy or overly loose way of dressing.
袋が破れて、中からじゃがいもがぞろっとこぼれ落ちた。
袋(ふくろ)が破(やぶ)れて、中(なか)からじゃがいもがぞろっとこぼれ落(お)ちた。
The bag tore, and potatoes spilled out all at once in a lump.
VisualDescribes round objects spilling out collectively all at once.
パーティーにそんなぞろっとした格好で行くのは失礼だ。
パーティーにそんなぞろっとした格好(かっこう)で行(い)くのは失礼(しつれい)だ。
It is rude to go to a party dressed so sloppily.
FigurativeShows that the appearance violates social etiquette.
親戚がぞろっと家に押し掛けてきた。
親戚(しんせき)がぞろっと家(いえ)に押(お)し掛(か)けてきた。
My relatives barged into the house all together.
LiteralConveys an overwhelmed feeling due to many people arriving suddenly.
Similar Words
ずらっと
zuratto
ずらっと (zuratto) describes the visual state of many people or objects being neatly lined up in a row. Used for a neat row, contrasting with the messy mass of zorotto.
ゾロリ
zorori
Describes people gathered together in a group, or wearing long, trailing, and sloppy clothing.
Questions
Can I use this word in formal speech?
This is a casual expression, so avoid it in formal speeches. However, you can use it in everyday conversation to criticize inappropriate casual wear at a formal event.
Can this word be used in a positive sense?
It is generally not used in a positive sense. Especially when referring to clothing, it carries a critical meaning of being untidy or sloppy.
Can this be applied to animals?
Yes, if a whole litter of puppies or a group of animals emerges from a space all at once, you can use this word.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 2866709
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
- Previous entry
- パカラッパカラッ (pakarappakara)
- Next entry
- ヒュードロドロ (hyuudorodoro)