Entry
ぞろぞろ
zorozoro
ぞろぞろ describes a large group of people, animals, or things moving steadily together in a stream, or a long object trailing along the ground.
Meaning
Quick Meaning
This word conveys the impression of a steady, continuous stream of a large group, such as people pouring out of a stadium or a swarm of insects crawling. Aside from living creatures, it is also used to describe long objects, like a dress or coat, dragging on the ground as someone moves.
- large groups moving together
- swarms of insects
- dragging long objects
Sense Map
Crowds in Motion
Describes a large number of people moving together in succession, such as leaving a venue or following someone.
観客がぞろぞろと出てきた。
Swarming Insects
Describes many insects or small animals crawling or moving together in a swarm.
アリがぞろぞろ這っている。
Trailing Objects
Describes a long piece of clothing or an object trailing or dragging heavily along the ground.
ドレスの裾をぞろぞろ引きずる。
Usage Note
How to Use
ぞろぞろと + verb
Used with the particle 'to' to describe how a verb is performed, such as 'walking in droves'.
ぞろぞろ + verb
Can be used directly before a verb without the 'to' particle.
How to Use
Common Phrases
ぞろぞろと出てくる
to come out in droves
ぞろぞろついて行く
to follow in a crowd
ぞろぞろ這い回る
to crawl around in a swarm
ぞろぞろ引きずる
to trail or drag along the ground
Nuance
Context Nuance
| Common Contexts | Nuance | Usage Note |
|---|---|---|
| Crowds of people | neutral | Simply indicates a large group of people moving in the same direction. |
| Insects/Pests | negative | Can evoke a creepy or gross feeling due to the overwhelming number. |
Similar Words
Comparison Table
| Similar Words | When to Use | Not the Same as | Mini Example |
|---|---|---|---|
ずらずら ずらずら / nearby | Used when things are lined up or listed in an endless sequence, like a long list of names. | While both imply continuation, 'ぞろぞろ' focuses on the movement of a dense mass or crowd, whereas 'ずらずら' focuses on a long sequence or row of things. | 名前がずらずらと並ぶ。 |
もぞもぞ もぞもぞ / nearby | Used when an insect or small animal squirms or creeps slowly. | 'ぞろぞろ' describes a massive swarm of insects crawling together, whereas 'もぞもぞ' describes the creeping movement of just one or a few. | 虫がもぞもぞ動く。 |
Usage Note
Common Mistakes
Using 'ぞろぞろ' to describe a single person walking.
This word requires a large group of living things, so it cannot describe an individual's movement unless they are dragging something long.
Using it for fast, energetic movement.
The movement of 'ぞろぞろ' is continuous and steady, not rushed or speedy.
Examples
Examples
映画が終わると、観客がぞろぞろと出てきた。
えいががおわると、かんきゃくがぞろぞろとでてきた。
When the movie ended, the audience came out in droves.
LiteralShows the movement of a large group exiting together.
甘いお菓子の周りにアリがぞろぞろ這っている。
あまいおかしのまわりにアリがぞろぞろはっている。
Ants are crawling in a swarm around the sweet candy.
LiteralUsed for insects moving in large numbers.
長いコートの裾をぞろぞろ引きずって歩く。
ながいコートのすそをぞろぞろひきずってあるく。
Walking while trailing the hem of a long coat on the ground.
VisualIndicates a long object touching the ground continuously.
ガイドの後ろを観光客がぞろぞろついて行った。
ガイドのうしろをかんこうきゃくがぞろぞろついていった。
The tourists followed behind the guide in a stream.
LiteralShows a line of people following someone.
電車のドアが開くと、人がぞろぞろ降りてきた。
でんしゃのドアがあくと、ひとがぞろぞろおりてきた。
When the train doors opened, people got off in succession.
LiteralDescribes people getting off continuously.
Similar Words
ずらずら
zurazura
Used for things lined up or listed in an endless stream.
Questions
Can I use ぞろぞろ for just one person?
No, it implies a large crowd or stream of people.
Is ぞろぞろ only used for humans?
No, it is commonly used for insects (like ants) and for trailing objects (like a long dress).
Does ぞろぞろ mean walking slowly?
It doesn't strictly mean 'slowly', but moving 'in a stream' often implies a steady, unhurried pace due to the crowd size.
Source Details
- Entry ID
- 1007160
- Source
- JMdict_english
- Revision
- -
- Review notes
- No special notes
- Active language
- English
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