Translation guide
Describes a lack of energy, enthusiasm, or interest. Often used for temporary states of tiredness, boredom, or low motivation.
To describe a temporary state of low physical or mental energy, often due to tiredness, heat, or boredom.
Common adjective for feeling sluggish, heavy, or languid, often from fatigue, illness, or heat. Used for both physical and mental listlessness.
I feel kind of listless today.
The heat makes me so listless I can't bring myself to do anything.
Emphasizes a mental or emotional languor, a sense of ennui or lethargy. Slightly more literary than だるい.
On a listless afternoon, I dozed off on the sofa.
Literally 'motivation doesn't come out.' Very common for lacking the drive to do something, feeling unmotivated or listless.
Lately I've been feeling listless and not getting much work done.
A formal or medical term for a feeling of fatigue, lassitude, or malaise. Often used in clinical contexts.
If the listlessness persists, you should see a doctor.
To describe a lack of interest, enthusiasm, or emotional engagement, often in a situation or activity.
Noun or na-adjective meaning apathy, lethargy, lack of energy or will. Describes a state of listlessness where one feels empty or unmotivated.
He lay in bed all day in a listless state.
Literally 'interest doesn't well up.' Used when something fails to spark interest, leaving one listless or indifferent.
Boredom, tedium. Often used when listlessness stems from lack of stimulation. Can be used as a na-adjective.
To describe slow, languid, or feeble physical movements due to listlessness.
Colloquial adjective meaning sluggish, bothersome, or tiresome. Implies that even small actions feel like a chore.
Climbing the stairs felt so listless and bothersome that I took the elevator.
Onomatopoeic adverb describing slow, sluggish movement. Often used with verbs like 動く (move) or 歩く (walk).
Onomatopoeic adverb for being completely drained, limp, or worn out. Emphasizes physical exhaustion leading to listlessness.
だるい is a casual, physical sensation of sluggishness, often from heat or tiredness. 無気力 is a more serious, psychological state of apathy or lack of will, closer to clinical listlessness.
I feel listless from summer fatigue.
I'm so listless I can't go to school.
There is no single Japanese word that covers all nuances of 'listless.' Choose based on whether the feeling is physical (だるい), motivational (やる気が出ない), or emotional (無気力). Using the wrong word can sound unnatural.
無気力感に襲われて、趣味さえ楽しめない。
Overcome by listlessness, I can't even enjoy my hobbies.
No matter what I do, I feel listless and just zone out.
退屈でだらだらとテレビを見ていた。
Bored and listless, I was just lazily watching TV.
彼は疲れ切って、のろのろと歩いていた。
Exhausted, he walked along listlessly.
ぐったりとソファに横たわる。
To lie listlessly on the sofa.