Translation guide
Describes speech that is long, disorganized, and often hard to follow. Japanese has several expressions depending on whether the talk is aimless, incoherent, or just long-winded.
To describe speech that goes on and on without a clear point, often boring or annoying.
To describe speech that is confused, illogical, or hard to follow, often due to mental state or lack of clarity.
Literally 'incoherent talk'. Strongly implies the speech is logically disconnected and nonsensical.
彼の説明は支離滅裂で、何を言っているのかわからなかった。
His explanation was rambling and incoherent; I couldn't understand what he was saying.
To describe a manner of speaking that is intentionally or habitually rambling, often in a narrative or conversational style.
To talk without a fixed point, jumping from topic to topic. Neutral and descriptive.
彼女はとりとめなく自分の子供時代について話した。
She rambled on about her childhood.
The English phrase 'rambling talk' doesn't have a single direct equivalent. Using a literal translation like 散歩話 (さんぽばなし) would be nonsensical. Choose the expression that matches the nuance: length, incoherence, or aimlessness.
Literally 'long talk', this is the most common and neutral way to refer to a long, rambling conversation or story.
彼の長話にはいつも困らされる。
I'm always bothered by his rambling talk.
Verb meaning 'to talk on and on in a rambling, sluggish way'. Emphasizes the lack of energy or focus.
彼はだらだらと自分の趣味について話した。
He rambled on about his hobbies.
A rambling, often humorous talk or chat. Can refer to a style of comic storytelling, but also used for casual, meandering conversation.
彼の漫談は面白いが、時々話がそれる。
His rambling talk is interesting, but sometimes he goes off on tangents.
To talk in a long-winded, tedious, or repetitious way. Often implies the speaker is being annoyingly verbose.
彼はくどくどと同じ説明を繰り返した。
He rambled on, repeating the same explanation over and over.
Describes talk that is rambling, desultory, and without a clear point. Often used for casual, wandering conversations.
とりとめのない話をして夜が更けた。
We talked ramblingly until late at night.
Refers to delirious or incoherent talk, like someone talking in their sleep or fever. Can be used metaphorically for nonsense.
熱にうなされて、うわ言を言っている。
He's delirious with fever and talking rambling nonsense.
Literally 'the talk jumps', meaning the conversation skips around or is disjointed. Often used to describe someone who rambles.
彼は話が飛びやすくて、ついていくのが大変だ。
He tends to ramble and jump around in conversation, so it's hard to follow him.