Translation guide
Describes something that is slippery, wet, and often unpleasant to touch, like a slug or wet seaweed. Japanese has several words for this texture, each with different nuances and typical uses.
To describe a surface or substance that is wet, slippery, and somewhat unpleasant, like a slug or raw egg white.
An onomatopoeic word that vividly describes a slimy, slippery texture. Often used for things like slugs, okra, or wet soap. Can be used as a noun with する or as an adverb.
このナメクジはぬるぬるしている。
This slug is slimy.
オクラはぬるぬるが好きじゃない。
I don't like the sliminess of okra.
Similar to ぬるぬる, but often implies a slightly thicker, more viscous slime. Can also describe a shiny, slippery surface.
池の石はぬめぬめしていて滑りやすい。
The rocks in the pond are slimy and slippery.
Less common than ぬるぬる. Emphasizes a wet, shiny sliminess, often used for things like oil or grease.
油で手がぬらぬらする。
My hands are slimy with oil.
To describe something that has a layer of slime on it, like a fish or a snail.
Literally 'has slime'. A common way to say something is slimy, especially for fish, seaweed, or vegetables.
この魚はぬめりがあるから、よく洗ってください。
This fish is slimy, so please wash it well.
The continuous form of ぬるぬる, meaning 'is slimy'. Very natural for describing a current state.
カタツムリが通った跡がぬるぬるしている。
The trail where the snail passed is slimy.
To describe a person who is obsequious, untrustworthy, or gives a bad feeling, similar to 'slimy' in English.
Means disgusting, sleazy, or lewd. Often used for a person who is slimy in character.
彼はいやらしい笑い方をする。
He has a slimy way of laughing.
All three are onomatopoeic words for sliminess. ぬるぬる is the most common and general. ぬめぬめ often implies a thicker, more viscous slime, and can also describe a shiny surface. ぬらぬら emphasizes a wet, oily shine. In many contexts, ぬるぬる is the safest choice.
While ぬるぬる can technically be used for a person's skin, using it to describe a person's character (like 'a slimy guy') is not natural. Use words like いやらしい or 胡散臭い instead.
Means suspicious-looking, shady. Can be used for a person who seems slimy or untrustworthy.
あのセールスマンは胡散臭い。
That salesman is slimy.