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.
Common adjective meaning tall and thin, often with a sense of lankiness. Can be neutral or slightly negative depending on context.
He has a lanky build.
A more colloquial, descriptive phrase meaning 'lanky' or 'gangly'. Often used in casual speech.
A lanky young man was standing there.
Literally 'long and thin', can describe body parts or overall build. More neutral than lanky.
She has long, thin arms.
To describe someone whose tall, thin appearance seems ungainly or clumsy.
Emphasizes a weak, spindly appearance, often with a negative or pitiful nuance.
There was a lanky, weedy boy there.
Means 'skinny' or 'scrawny', often implying bony and unattractive thinness. Can be used for lanky people when thinness is emphasized.
Literally 'nothing but skin and bones', used for extremely thin people. Stronger than lanky.
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.
He is tall and lanky in a good way.
Colloquial noun for a tall, lanky person. Often used affectionately for children or young people.
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.
彼はがりがりで、服がだぶだぶだ。
He's lanky and his clothes are baggy.
That kid is lanky and looks a bit unhealthy.
My son is lanky and shot up quickly.