ゴロゴロ
Meaning: Lazing around doing nothing; also the sound of rumbling (thunder, stomach) or a cat purring.
ゴロゴロ is a highly versatile onomatopoeia with three main uses. Most commonly in slang, it describes lounging around idly — rolling about on the floor or sofa with no particular purpose. It also represents rumbling sounds like thunder or a growling stomach, and the purring of a cat. The 'lazing around' sense has become especially popular on social media where people describe their ideal weekend as ゴロゴロする.
Examples
- 休みの日は家でゴロゴロするのが最高。 休息日在家里ゴロゴロ(懒洋洋地躺着)是最幸福的事。Los días libres, quedarse en casa holgazaneando es lo mejor.쉬는 날에는 집에서 고로고로(뒹굴뒹굴)하는 게 최고야.
- 猫が膝の上でゴロゴロ言ってる。 猫咪在膝盖上ゴロゴロ(咕噜咕噜)地叫呢。El gato está ronroneando en mi regazo.고양이가 무릎 위에서 고로고로(그르렁그르렁) 소리 내고 있어.
- 外でゴロゴロ雷が鳴ってるから洗濯物入れなきゃ。 外面ゴロゴロ(隆隆地)打雷了,得把衣服收进来。Fuera están retumbando los truenos, tengo que meter la ropa tendida.밖에서 고로고로(우르르) 천둥이 치니까 빨래 걷어야 해.
Pronunciation
/go.ɾo.go.ɾo/
Usage Guide
Context: daily life, social media, describing leisure
Tone: relaxed, descriptive
✓ Do Say
- 今日は一日ゴロゴロしてた (I spent the whole day lazing around)今天一整天都在ゴロゴロ(懒洋洋地躺着)今日は一日ゴロゴロしてた (Me he pasado todo el día holgazaneando)오늘은 하루 종일 고로고로(뒹굴뒹굴)했어 (하루 종일 빈둥거렸어)
- お腹ゴロゴロする、なんか食べたい (My stomach is rumbling, I want to eat something)肚子ゴロゴロ(咕噜咕噜)叫,想吃点什么お腹ゴロゴロする、なんか食べたい (Me ruge el estómago, quiero comer algo)배가 고로고로(꼬르륵) 해, 뭔가 먹고 싶어 (배에서 소리 나, 뭔가 먹고 싶다)
✗ Don't Say
- 仕事中に「ゴロゴロしたい」と上司に言わない (Don't tell your boss you want to laze around during work)上班时不要对老板说'想ゴロゴロ(躺平)'仕事中に「ゴロゴロしたい」と上司に言わない (No le digas a tu jefe que quieres holgazanear en horario de trabajo)근무 중에 상사에게 '고로고로하고 싶다'고 말하지 않는다 (일하는 중에 빈둥거리고 싶다고 상사에게 말하면 안 됨)
Common Mistakes
- Not distinguishing the multiple meanings — context determines if it means lazing, rumbling, or purring
- Writing in hiragana (ごろごろ) vs katakana (ゴロゴロ) — katakana is more common for emphasis
Origin & History
Traditional Japanese onomatopoeia mimicking rolling sounds. The 'lazing around' meaning derives from the image of rolling around on the floor with nothing to do. Has been part of Japanese since the Edo period.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional onomatopoeia, centuries old
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. One of the most recognizable and frequently used onomatopoeia in everyday conversation.
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