のんびり
Meaning: Taking it easy, relaxed, and unhurried — doing things at a leisurely, stress-free pace.
のんびり describes a state of relaxed ease — no rushing, no pressure, no urgency. It can describe a person's temperament (のんびりした性格, a laid-back personality), an activity (のんびり散歩する, taking a leisurely stroll), or a desired state (のんびりしたい, I want to relax). It is overwhelmingly positive, evoking images of countryside life, lazy weekends, and freedom from stress.
Examples
- 休みの日はのんびりNetflix見て過ごしたい。 休息日就想悠悠闲闲地窝在家看Netflix。Los días libres quiero pasarlos tranquilamente viendo Netflix.쉬는 날에는 느긋하게 넷플릭스 보면서 보내고 싶다.
- のんびりした性格だから締め切りギリギリになりがち。 因为性格太悠哉了,总是拖到截止日期前才急。Como tengo un carácter tan relajado, siempre acabo apurándome con los plazos.성격이 느긋해서 마감 직전까지 미루는 편이다.
- 田舎でのんびり暮らすのが夢なんだよね。 我的梦想就是在乡下悠闲地过日子。Mi sueño es vivir tranquilamente en el campo.시골에서 느긋하게 사는 게 꿈이야.
Pronunciation
/noɴ.bi.ɾi/
Usage Guide
Context: everyday conversation, travel, lifestyle, friends
Tone: relaxed, peaceful, positive
✓ Do Say
- 今日はのんびり過ごそうよ。 (Let's take it easy today.)今天就悠闲地待着吧。Hoy tomémonoslo con calma.오늘은 느긋하게 보내자. (오늘은 편하게 쉬자.)
- のんびり温泉にでも行きたいな。 (I'd love to go take a relaxing soak in a hot spring.)好想去泡个温泉,悠悠闲闲的。Me encantaría ir a relajarme a unas aguas termales.느긋하게 온천이라도 가고 싶다. (여유롭게 온천에서 푹 쉬고 싶어.)
✗ Don't Say
- 忙しい同僚に「のんびりしてるね」は嫌味に聞こえる (Telling a busy colleague 'you're being laid-back' sounds sarcastic)对忙碌的同事说'你挺悠闲的嘛'会被当成讽刺Decirle a un compañero ocupado 'qué tranquilo estás' suena a sarcasmo.바쁜 동료에게 '느긋하게 지내네'라고 하면 비꼬는 것처럼 들린다 (바쁜 동료에게 '한가하구나'라고 하면 빈정대는 것처럼 들린다)
Common Mistakes
- Using のんびり only for activities — it also describes personality types and can be a gentle criticism meaning 'too relaxed' in deadline-driven contexts
Origin & History
A traditional Japanese onomatopoeic/mimetic word (擬態語) expressing a feeling of ease and relaxation. It has been part of the Japanese language for centuries and remains one of the most commonly used words for describing a relaxed state.
Cultural Context
Era: Traditional Japanese mimetic word, timeless
Generation: All ages
Social background: Universal
Regional notes: Used across all of Japan. Often associated with rural life, retirement, and the ideal weekend.
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