Translation guide
Describes physical instability, such as shaky hands, wobbly objects, or unsteady walking. Also covers mental or emotional instability, like wavering confidence or indecisiveness.
Describing something that is physically unstable, shaky, or wobbly.
General term for 'unstable' or 'unsteady', used for objects, structures, or conditions. Can also describe emotional states.
この机は不安定で、字が書きにくい。
This desk is unsteady, making it hard to write.
Onomatopoeic word for something wobbling or shaking, like a loose tooth or an unsteady table. Often used with する.
テーブルがぐらぐらする。
The table is wobbly.
Describes unsteady movement, like staggering or feeling dizzy. Often used for walking unsteadily or feeling lightheaded.
彼は疲れてふらふら歩いている。
He is walking unsteadily from exhaustion.
Similar to ふらふら but often implies weakness or near-collapse, like staggering from illness or old age.
おじいさんがよろよろと立ち上がった。
The old man stood up unsteadily.
Verb meaning to feel dizzy or stagger. Often used for unsteady walking due to dizziness or intoxication.
熱でふらついて、まっすぐ歩けない。
I'm unsteady from the fever and can't walk straight.
Describing hands or small objects that tremble or shake.
General verb for trembling or shivering, used for hands, voice, or body. Can be from cold, fear, or nervousness.
緊張で手が震えている。
My hands are unsteady from nervousness.
Onomatopoeia for slight trembling, often used for hands or lips. Softer than がたがた.
Describing wavering confidence, indecisiveness, or emotional instability.
Also used for emotional instability or an unsteady state of mind.
彼の精神状態は不安定だ。
His mental state is unsteady.
Means 'to sway' or 'to waver', used for emotions or decisions that are unsteady.
Verb meaning to wobble or be shaky, used metaphorically for wavering confidence or resolve.
ふらふら is for unsteady movement from dizziness or fatigue. よろよろ implies staggering from weakness or age. ぐらぐら is for objects that are physically loose or wobbly.
Directly translating 'be unsteady' as 不安定です is often too formal for casual speech. Use onomatopoeia like ぐらぐら or ふらふら for natural descriptions.
手がぷるぷる震えて、うまく書けない。
My hand is trembling and I can't write properly.
My feelings are unsteady and I can't decide.
自信がぐらついている。
My confidence is unsteady.