Translation guide
How to express 'limp' in Japanese, covering physical limping, describing limp objects, and metaphorical weakness.
He is limping.
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'.
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.
The dog is limping.
Formal or medical term for 'limping' or 'claudication'. Rare in everyday speech.
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.
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.
Let one's arm hang limply.
Describing a weak, unenergetic action or state, such as a limp excuse or a limp performance.
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.
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.