Translation guide
Describes something long, thin, and weak-looking, like legs, arms, plants, or structures.
Describe something that is tall or long but very thin and fragile in appearance.
Most common and natural adjective for spindly, emphasizing disproportionate thinness and height.
He has spindly legs.
The spindly plant is swaying in the wind.
Means 'long and thin,' but lacks the weakness nuance. Use when the thinness is more neutral.
Long, thin fingers run over the keyboard.
Emphasizes frail, delicate thinness, often used for limbs or voices. More literary.
She lifted the heavy luggage with her spindly arms.
Specifically describe legs, arms, or fingers that are long and thin, often suggesting weakness.
Describe a plant or tree that is tall and thin with weak stems or branches.
Describe writing or drawn lines that are thin, shaky, and weak-looking.
ひょろ長い always implies a negative, weak, or comical thinness, while 細長い is neutral and simply describes a long, slender shape. Use ひょろ長い for spindly legs or plants; use 細長い for elegant, slender objects like a vase.
a spindly man (negative nuance)
a slender vase (positive/neutral)
There is no single Japanese word that covers all uses of 'spindly.' Choose the expression based on what is being described (legs, plants, writing, etc.). Using 細長い alone may miss the weakness nuance.
That model is known for her spindly legs.
A drawing with spindly lines done by a child.