Translation guide
How to express 'limp' in Japanese, covering physical limping, describing limp objects, and metaphorical weakness.
彼は足を引きずっている。
He is limping.
力ない握手
a limp handshake
Describing a person or animal that walks unevenly due to injury or disability.
The most common way to say 'to limp' or 'to drag one's leg'. Literally 'drag the foot/leg'.
彼は怪我で足を引きずっている。
He is limping because of an injury.
Means 'to limp' or 'to hobble'. Note: びっこ can be considered derogatory in some contexts, so use with caution.
びっこ can be offensive; prefer 足を引きずる in polite or formal situations.
犬がびっこを引いている。
The dog is limping.
Formal or medical term for 'limping' or 'claudication'. Rare in everyday speech.
患者は跛行を訴えた。
The patient complained of limping.
Describing something that is not firm or rigid, like a limp handshake or a limp piece of cloth.
Onomatopoeic word meaning 'limp', 'floppy', or 'wobbly'. Used for objects that lack firmness.
この野菜はぐにゃぐにゃだ。
This vegetable is limp.
Describes something soft and pliable, often used for vegetables that have lost crispness or for a limp handshake.
Adverb meaning 'limply' or 'loosely', often used for hanging or drooping limbs.
腕をだらりと垂らす。
Let one's arm hang limply.
Describing a weak, unenergetic action or state, such as a limp excuse or a limp performance.
Adjective meaning 'weak-looking', 'feeble', or 'limp'. Can describe actions, voices, or appearances.
彼の言い訳は弱々しかった。
His excuse was limp.
Means 'powerless' or 'limp', often used for a weak handshake or a feeble attempt.
There is no single Japanese adjective that directly translates to 'limp' in all contexts. Use specific words like ぐにゃぐにゃ for objects or 弱々しい for metaphorical weakness.
ぐにゃぐにゃの野菜
limp vegetables
しんなりした握手だった。
It was a limp handshake.
力ない握手を交わした。
We exchanged a limp handshake.