Translation guide
Describes a tall, thin person, often with long limbs, sometimes awkward or ungainly.
To describe someone who is tall and slender, without negative connotation.
To describe someone whose tall, thin appearance seems ungainly or clumsy.
Emphasizes a weak, spindly appearance, often with a negative or pitiful nuance.
ひょろひょろした男の子がそこにいた。
There was a lanky, weedy boy there.
To describe a tall, slender person in a way that might be seen as attractive or stylish.
Means 'slender' or 'willowy', often positive. Implies a graceful tallness.
彼はすらりとした長身だ。
He is tall and lanky in a good way.
There is no single Japanese word that perfectly matches 'lanky'. Use descriptive phrases or choose words based on the nuance you want (neutral, negative, or positive).
ひょろ長い often implies a slightly awkward or comical lankiness, while すらりとした is more elegant and positive. Choose based on the impression you want to give.
Common adjective meaning tall and thin, often with a sense of lankiness. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
彼はひょろ長い体型だ。
He has a lanky build.
A more colloquial, descriptive phrase meaning 'lanky' or 'gangly'. Often used in casual speech.
ひょろっとした若者が立っていた。
A lanky young man was standing there.
Literally 'long and thin', can describe body parts or overall build. More neutral than lanky.
彼女は細長い腕をしている。
She has long, thin arms.
Means 'skinny' or 'scrawny', often implying bony and unattractive thinness. Can be used for lanky people when thinness is emphasized.
彼はがりがりで、服がだぶだぶだ。
He's lanky and his clothes are baggy.
Literally 'nothing but skin and bones', used for extremely thin people. Stronger than lanky.
あの子は骨と皮ばかりで、ちょっと不健康そうだ。
That kid is lanky and looks a bit unhealthy.
Colloquial noun for a tall, lanky person. Often used affectionately for children or young people.
うちの息子はのっぽで、すぐに背が伸びた。
My son is lanky and shot up quickly.