おちおち

お

ち

お

ち

JLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 100,000

Meanings

1

adverb

in peace; without worry; comfortably

usually written using kana aloneonomatopoeic or mimetic word

Used in negative expressions like おちおち〜できない to mean one cannot do something in peace or without worry. Often describes being unable to relax or do something calmly due to disturbance or anxiety.

隣となりの騒そう音おんで、おちおち眠ねむれない。

I can't sleep peacefully because of the noise next door.

試し験けんのことが気きになって、おちおち遊あそんでもいられない。

I'm so worried about the exam that I can't even enjoy myself.

Usage patterns

おちおち〈動どう詞し〉ていられないcannot even calmly do ~ (due to worry or disturbance)
隣となりの騒そう音おんで、おちおち眠ねむっていられない。
Because of the noise next door, I can't even sleep in peace.
おちおち〈動どう詞し〉もできないcannot even do ~ properly, being too anxious or disturbed
心しん配ぱいで、おちおち食しょく事じもできない。
I'm so worried I can't even eat in peace.

Kanji

落fall, drop, come down

Related words

ゆっくりN5
ゆっくり means 'slowly' or 'at ease' and can be used freely in positive statements, while おちおち almost always appears in negative expressions meaning one cannot relax or act calmly.
のんびりN3
のんびり describes a relaxed, carefree state and is used positively, whereas おちおち is confined to negative constructions expressing an inability to feel at ease.

Written forms

おちおちUsage88%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 落ち落ち is rare.
オチオチUsage13%
kana-only spelling
Katakana spelling, sometimes used for emphasis or in casual writing.
落おち落おち
rarely-used kanji form
Rare kanji form; it is rarely used.

Etymology

Onomatopoeic or mimetic word; the exact derivation is uncertain, but it likely imitates a state of calmness or quietness.