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呂律が回らない (ろれつがまわらない) Japanese meaning | Kotomora
Meanings 1
expression, i-adjective
slurred speech ; inarticulate ; tongue-tied
Describes speech that is unclear, slurred, or difficult to understand, often due to drunkenness, fatigue, nervousness, or a speech impediment. The phrase literally means 'the articulation doesn't turn'.
ら
なかっ
た
。
I was so nervous I couldn't speak clearly.
Written forms 呂ろ 律れつ が 回まわ らない
Standard kanji spelling using 呂律 for 'articulation'.
ろれつが 回まわ らない
Kana spelling is common in everyday writing, especially when the kanji 呂律 is less familiar.
Similar words 滑かつ 舌ぜつ Refers to clarity of pronunciation or enunciation, often used in contexts like voice training or acting. 呂律が回らない describes the state of being unable to articulate clearly, while 滑舌が悪い means one's enunciation is poor in general.
Etymology The term 呂律 originally referred to the two basic tones in traditional Chinese music (呂 and 律), later extended to mean order or rhythm. In Japanese, it came to denote articulation or the ability to speak clearly. The phrase 呂律が回らない literally means 'the articulation doesn't turn', i.e., speech becomes slurred or inarticulate.
