Translation guide
Describes the unsteady walking of a young child. Japanese uses specific verbs and mimetic words to capture this motion.
Express that a young child is walking with short, unsteady steps.
The most common and natural way to say 'toddle'. Combines the mimetic adverb よちよち (waddling/unsteady) with 歩く (walk).
The baby is toddling.
Uses よちよち as a suru-verb. Slightly more casual and emphasizes the waddling motion itself.
My daughter came toddling over.
Uses the mimetic word とことこ, which implies light, quick, and somewhat unsteady steps. Often used for toddlers or small animals.
Literally 'walk with faltering steps'. More descriptive and slightly formal. Emphasizes the unsteadiness and lack of skill.
The sight of a child toddling is cute.
My one-year-old son started toddling with unsteady steps.