のろのろ

のろのろ

slowly, sluggishly

JLPT N2

Meaning and Usage

"のろのろ" is an adverb that describes moving slowly or sluggishly, often implying a frustratingly slow pace. It is commonly used to describe vehicles, people, or animals moving at a slow speed.

Common Contexts

You will often hear "のろのろ" in everyday conversation when talking about traffic jams, slow walkers, or any slow movement that causes delay or impatience.

Collocations and Patterns

  • のろのろ運転 (のろのろうんてん): slow driving, often causing traffic delays.
  • のろのろ歩く (のろのろあるく): to walk slowly, sometimes implying laziness or tiredness.
  • のろのろ動く (のろのろうごく): to move sluggishly, often describing tired or weak movements.

Register and Nuance

"のろのろ" is informal and commonly used in spoken Japanese. It carries a slightly negative nuance, suggesting slowness that can be annoying or inefficient.

Common Mistakes

Learners sometimes confuse "のろのろ" with "ゆっくり" which also means "slowly" but is more neutral or polite. Use "のろのろ" when emphasizing sluggishness or frustration with the slow pace.

Example Sentences

くるまがのろのろうんてんしているので、じゅうたいがおきている。

Because the car is driving slowly, there is a traffic jam.

のろのろあるくと、じかんがかかるからいそごう。

If you walk slowly, it will take time, so let's hurry.

のろのろしたうごきは、つかれているときによくみられる。

Sluggish movements are often seen when someone is tired.