Translation guide
How to describe speech that is hard to understand due to mumbling, slurring, or being inarticulate, rather than volume or language barrier.
The speaker's words are not pronounced clearly, often due to laziness, nervousness, or lack of effort.
A general term for unclear or indistinct speech. Often used in formal or descriptive contexts.
His explanation was unclear, and I couldn't understand what he was saying.
Onomatopoeia for mumbling or speaking indistinctly, often with the mouth barely open. Commonly used in casual conversation.
He was mumbling and I couldn't catch what he was saying.
Literally 'not clear', used for speech that lacks clarity. Can also refer to vague statements.
His reply was unclear, and it was troubling.
A phrase meaning 'speech is unclear'. Slightly more formal.
When you're tired, your speech can become unclear.
Literally 'insufficient tongue', describing speech that sounds babyish or lisping, often due to poor articulation. Can be used for adults but has a childish nuance.
His way of speaking is a bit lisping and hard to understand.
Speech is unclear because the speaker's articulation is impaired, often with sounds blending together.
Common phrase meaning 'one's speech is slurred' or 'can't articulate properly'. Often used for drunkenness or extreme fatigue.
He got drunk and his speech became slurred.
Noun meaning 'articulation' or 'enunciation'. Often used in the negative form ろれつが回らない.
Means 'words get tangled', describing slurred or stammering speech.
The content is disorganized, making it hard to follow, rather than just pronunciation.
Direct phrase: 'I don't know what (someone) is saying.' Very common for unclear speech in terms of content.
His story was incoherent, and I couldn't understand what he was saying.
Means 'rambling' or 'desultory', often used for speech that wanders without a point.
もごもご focuses on the muffled, mumbling quality of speech, often due to not opening the mouth properly. ろれつが回らない specifically refers to slurred articulation, commonly from intoxication or fatigue.
He mumbled and I couldn't hear well.
He got drunk and his speech became slurred.
Unclear speech in English can refer to low volume or foreign accent, but the Japanese terms here specifically address articulation and coherence. For 'I can't hear you', use 聞こえません (きこえません). For 'I don't understand the language', use 言葉がわかりません (ことばがわかりません).
疲れのせいで、呂律がおかしくなっている。
My articulation is off because of fatigue.
I got nervous and my words got tangled.
Describes speech or writing that is completely incoherent and disjointed.
His testimony was incoherent and couldn't be trusted.
Everyone was bored by his rambling talk.