たらたら
Meanings
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
drop by drop; dripping; trickling
Describes liquid falling slowly in drops or a thin stream. Often used with verbs like 落ちる, 流れる, or 垂れる.
Water is dripping from the faucet.
Sweat trickled down my forehead.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
incessantly; on and on; in great profusion
Used for speech that goes on without stopping, especially complaints, compliments, or excuses. Often has a negative or weary nuance.
He rattled off excuses one after another.
The old lady went on and on boasting about her grandchild.
adverb, adverb taking the 'to' particle
sluggishly; dawdling; dilly-dallying
Colloquial use for moving or acting slowly and without purpose. Often implies laziness or lack of urgency.
Stop dawdling and don't walk so slowly.
He's doing his work sluggishly.
Usage patterns
- 〈物〉がたらたら(と)流れるfor something (liquid) to trickle or drip down
Blood is trickling from the wound.
- 文句をたらたら(と)言うto complain on and on
She's always griping on and on.
- たらたら(と)しているto be dawdling, moving without urgency
Don't just sit around dawdling instead of doing your homework—get it done.
- 汗をたらたら(と)かくto sweat profusely, dripping
He was running, sweat dripping off him.
- お世辞をたらたら(と)言うto shower someone with flattery
I wish he'd stop showering the boss with flattery.
- 〈動詞〉をたらたら(と)やるto do (a task) sluggishly, without motivation
He's just plodding through his work half-heartedly.
Expressions
- お世辞たらたらsmarmy; unctuous; insincerely flattering