ひょろひょろ

ひょ

ろ

ひょ

ろ

Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

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

totteringly; unsteadily; staggeringly

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes an unsteady, wobbling movement, often of someone weak, drunk, or on an unstable surface. Commonly used with 歩く or 立つ.

酔よっ払ぱらいがひょろひょろと歩あるいている。
The drunk is walking unsteadily.

赤あかちゃんがひょろひょろ立たち上あがろうとした。

The baby tried to stand up totteringly.

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

lanky; spindly; slender; frail

onomatopoeic or mimetic word

Describes a person, plant, or object that is thin, weak-looking, and often tall. Can be used as a な-adjective (ひょろひょろな).

ひょろひょろな木きが風かぜで倒たおれた。
The spindly tree fell over in the wind.
彼かれはひょろひょろしていて、力ちからがなさそうだ。
He is lanky and looks weak.

Written forms

ひょろひょろUsage78%
Kana-only mimetic adverb; no kanji spelling is given.
ヒョロヒョロUsage22%

Similar words

ふらふら
ふらふら focuses on dizziness or lightheadedness, while ひょろひょろ emphasizes physical unsteadiness or a thin, weak appearance.
ぐらぐら
ぐらぐら describes a heavy, unstable swaying (e.g., a loose tooth or an earthquake), whereas ひょろひょろ suggests a light, wobbly movement or a frail build.

Etymology

A mimetic word (擬態語) whose exact origin is uncertain. The reduplicated form ひょろひょろ likely derives from the root ひょろ, which is associated with thinness and weakness, as seen in related words like ひょろ長い (lanky).