Translation guide
Describes doing something slowly, without energy, or with delay, often due to tiredness, laziness, or poor conditions.
Express that someone or something is moving, working, or reacting in a slow, lethargic, or unenergetic manner.
An onomatopoeic adverb describing slow, sluggish movement, often of people, animals, or vehicles. Common in spoken and written Japanese.
He was walking sluggishly.
The cars are moving sluggishly due to the traffic jam.
An onomatopoeic adverb implying sluggishness due to indecision, clumsiness, or lack of efficiency. Often used when someone is slow in getting things done.
He always works sluggishly.
Don't be sluggish; make a decision quickly.
An onomatopoeic adverb for doing something sluggishly over a long period, often with a sense of laziness or lack of purpose. Can also describe a slow, continuous flow.
I spent the whole Sunday sluggishly.
An onomatopoeic adverb for sluggishness caused by hesitation, reluctance, or dawdling. Often used when someone is slow to start or finish something.
If you keep being sluggish, you'll be late.
An adjective meaning 'dull' or 'slow', often used for sluggish movements, reactions, or mental processes. Can be used adverbially as 鈍く (にぶく).
His movements are sluggish.
Describe a system, economy, market, or process that is slow, stagnant, or lacking vitality.
A phrase meaning 'to be sluggish' or 'to be in a slump', commonly used for economic indicators, business performance, or team standings.
The economy is sluggish.
Sales are sluggish.
Means 'to be stagnant' or 'to be sluggish', emphasizing a lack of progress or movement. Used for economies, negotiations, or personal growth.
Negotiations are progressing sluggishly.
A more formal term meaning 'to slow down' or 'to become sluggish', often used in economic or technical contexts.
Economic growth is sluggish.
Express that someone's mental or physical reactions are slow, dull, or not sharp.
A common phrase meaning 'to have slow reactions' or 'to be sluggish in responding'. Used for both physical and mental responses.
He is reacting sluggishly today.
Literally 'the rotation of the head is slow', meaning someone is slow-witted or mentally sluggish.
I'm mentally sluggish due to lack of sleep.
のろのろ focuses on slow physical movement. もたもた implies inefficiency or indecision causing slowness. だらだら suggests a lazy, prolonged sluggishness without urgency.
A turtle walks sluggishly.
He is sluggishly taking his time getting ready.
On days off, I end up sluggishly watching TV all day.
While 遅く means 'slowly', it does not carry the connotation of lacking energy or being sluggish. Using it for 'sluggishly' can sound unnatural. Use onomatopoeic adverbs or specific phrases instead.