だらだら

• Reading: だらだら
• Romaji: daradara
• Pronunciation: /da.ɾa.da.ɾa/

Meaning

Lazily; sluggishly; aimlessly. Also: dripping; trickling in drops.

A versatile mimetic adverb (擬態語) with several uses: (1) spending time idly without purpose (だらだら過ごす — loaf around), (2) something dragging on too long (会議がだらだら続く — the meeting drags on), (3) liquid dripping or trickling (汗がだらだら流れる — sweat streams down). Often carries a negative nuance of wastefulness or lack of discipline. Can function as an adverb, する-verb, or adverb with と.

Examples

1. 休日はだらだらテレビを見て過ごした。 I spent my day off lazily watching TV.
2. 会議がだらだら長引いて疲れた。 The meeting dragged on and on, and I got exhausted.
3. 暑くて汗がだらだら流れてきた。 It was so hot that sweat was streaming down.

Usage Guide

Context: daily life, workplace, physical description

Tone: critical

Origin & History

A Japanese mimetic word (擬態語) evoking the slow, formless flow of liquid or the lax, unfocused quality of idle behaviour. The voiced consonant だ adds a heavy, languid quality to the sound symbolism.

Cultural Context

Era: Modern

Generation: All ages

Social background: Universal