おろおろ

お

ろ

お

ろ

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a state of being so upset or bewildered that one cannot act calmly; often used with する or と.

突とつ然ぜんの知しらせに、彼かの女じょはおろおろするばかりだった。
At the sudden news, she could do nothing but be flustered.

道みちに迷まよっておろおろと歩あるき回まわった。

I wandered around in confusion after getting lost.

adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle, noun or participle which takes 'suru'

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Used when someone is crying or speaking with a shaky voice due to distress; often collocates with 泣く or 声.

彼かの女じょはおろおろと泣なきながら事じ情じょうを話はなした。
She explained the situation while sobbing tearfully.
おろおろ声ごえで助たすけを求もとめた。
He called for help in a trembling voice.

あたふた
あたふた emphasizes hurried, flustered physical movement, while おろおろ focuses more on emotional confusion and helplessness.
うろうろ
うろうろ describes aimless wandering or loitering, whereas おろおろ implies distress and inability to act calmly.

Mimetic word; the exact origin is uncertain, but it is thought to derive from the sound or appearance of flustered, helpless behavior.