Translation guide
How to express doing something in a slow, heavy, laborious, or monotonous manner, like walking with heavy steps or working without inspiration.
Describe physical movement that is slow, heavy-footed, and laborious, as if trudging.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning walking slowly and dejectedly, often with a sense of weariness or discouragement. Commonly used for a person trudging along.
彼は疲れてとぼとぼと歩いていた。
He was walking ploddingly, exhausted.
An onomatopoeic adverb for moving slowly and heavily, like a large animal. Can imply clumsiness or lack of urgency.
クマがのそのそと森の中を歩いている。
The bear is ploddingly walking through the forest.
Literally 'with heavy steps', this phrase describes a plodding gait, often due to fatigue or reluctance.
彼は重い足取りで家に帰った。
He went home ploddingly, with heavy steps.
Describe a task, work, or progress that is slow, monotonous, and requires persistent effort, often without inspiration.
An onomatopoeic adverb meaning steadily and diligently, often with a sense of plodding along without flashiness. Positive connotation of perseverance.
彼はこつこつと研究を続けている。
He is ploddingly continuing his research.
An adverb meaning 'steadily and inconspicuously', emphasizing a plain, unglamorous, step-by-step approach. Often used for work or effort.
彼女は地道に仕事を片付けている。
She is ploddingly getting through her work.
An adverb meaning silently and intently, focusing on a task without distraction. Implies a steady, plodding dedication.
彼はもくもくと小説を書き続けた。
He ploddingly kept writing his novel.
An onomatopoeic adverb for moving or progressing very slowly, often with a negative nuance of sluggishness. Can apply to work pace.
作業がのろのろと進んでいる。
The work is progressing ploddingly.
Describe speech, writing, or a performance that is slow, boring, and lacking liveliness.
An adverb meaning 'monotonously', used for speech, music, or any repetitive, unvaried action that feels plodding.
彼は単調にスピーチを読み上げた。
He ploddingly read out his speech.
An onomatopoeic adverb for something dragging on slowly and tediously, like a long, boring speech or a sluggish stream.
会議がだらだらと続いた。
The meeting dragged on ploddingly.