のろい

の

ろ

い

Common wordJLPTN1Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

のろい · i-adjective

Meanings

usually written using kana alone

Describes a person who is slow to understand or mentally dull. Often used in casual, critical contexts.

〈人ひと〉は動うごきがのろいsomeone's movements are slow
彼かれは動うごきがのろいので、いつも最さい後ごになる。
His movements are so slow that he always ends up last.
〈人ひと〉は頭あたまがのろいsomeone is slow-witted or dense
彼かれは頭あたまがのろくて、説せつ明めいを何なん度どもしないと分わからない。
He's so slow-witted that you have to explain things over and over.
〈人ひと〉は〈相あい手て〉にのろいsomeone is easily swayed by / doting on a romantic interest
彼かれは彼かの女じょにのろくて、頼たのまれると何なんでも聞きいてしまう。
He's so doting on his girlfriend that he does whatever she asks.
〈人ひと〉は仕し事ごとがのろいsomeone's work pace is slow
新しん人じんは仕し事ごとがのろくて、先せん輩ぱいに注ちゅう意いされた。
The new employee's work was so slow that a senior coworker scolded him.

遅おそいN5sense 2
遅い is the neutral word for slow or late, while のろい adds a critical, exasperated tone about someone's sluggish pace.
甘あまいN5sense 3
甘い broadly means lenient or indulgent in many contexts, whereas のろい narrows this to being weak-willed and easily swayed toward someone of the opposite sex.

早はやいN5sense 2
速い means fast in movement or speed, the direct opposite of のろい's slow pace.
賢かしこいN3sense 1
賢い means clever or quick-witted, contrasting with のろい's sense of being thickheaded or slow to understand.
目めざといN1
鈍い describes someone slow to notice or react, the opposite of 目ざとい's quick visual alertness.

鈍にぶいN3
鈍い（にぶい）describes a blunt blade, dulled senses, or a slow-witted mind, while 鈍い（のろい）focuses on slow movement or being mentally slow in a critical, everyday tone.

のろいUsage100%
Usually written in kana; the kanji form 鈍い is also used but less common.
鈍のろい
Kanji form; can also be read にぶい with different meanings.

The origin is uncertain. It may be related to the mimetic word のろのろ (slowly, sluggishly).