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B1 adverb #7,000 más común 10 min de lectura

ぐずぐず

guzuguzu Top 7,000

Practícalo Ejemplos Notas y consejos ぐずぐず en 30 segundos

Explicación ぐずぐず in your Level:

At the A1 level, you should learn 'guzuguzu' as a simple phrase used to tell someone to 'hurry up.' You will mostly hear it in the form 'Guzuguzu shinai de!' which means 'Don't be slow!' or 'Stop dawdling!' It is a very useful word if you are living in Japan and need to keep up with the fast pace of daily life. Imagine you are at a train station and your friend is taking a long time to buy a ticket. You can say 'Guzuguzu shinai de!' to encourage them to move faster. At this level, you don't need to worry about the 'runny nose' or 'weather' meanings; just focus on it as an opposite to 'hayaku' (quickly). It is a 'mimetic' word, meaning the sound of the word itself suggests the meaning. The 'gu-zu' sound feels heavy and slow, which helps you remember that it means the person is moving slowly or hesitating. It's often used by parents with children or between close friends. It's a bit informal, so use it with people you know well. If you see someone standing still when they should be moving, 'guzuguzu' is the word that comes to mind. It's a great way to start recognizing 'gitaigo' (state-depicting words) which are a huge part of the Japanese language. Just remember: 'Guzuguzu' = Slow/Hesitating (Bad), 'Hayaku' = Fast (Good). Try to notice it in anime or cartoons, where characters often get impatient with each other.

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At the A2 level, you can start using 'guzuguzu' to describe your own actions or feelings. You might say, 'Kinou wa guzuguzu shite shimatta' (Yesterday, I ended up dawdling/wasting time). This shows you understand how to use it with the verb 'suru' to describe a state. You should also become aware of its second common meaning: a runny or stuffed-up nose. If you have a cold, you can tell a doctor or a friend, 'Hana ga guzuguzu shimasu' (My nose is sniffling/stuffy). This is a very natural way to describe symptoms. In A2, you are learning to connect physical sensations with vocabulary. You might also notice the word 'guzuguzu' being used with 'iu' (to say), as in 'Guzuguzu iu na!' (Don't grumble!). This means the person is making slow, annoying complaints instead of just doing what they are told. So, in A2, your 'guzuguzu' moves from just a command ('Don't dawdle!') to a descriptive tool for procrastination, physical health, and minor complaining. You can also start to compare it with 'yukkuri' (slowly/carefully). While 'yukkuri' is a good thing, 'guzuguzu' is usually a bit of a problem. If you are taking your time to enjoy a meal, that's 'yukkuri.' If you are taking so long to eat that the restaurant is closing, that's 'guzuguzu.' Understanding this difference in 'feeling' is key to moving up in your Japanese studies.

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At the B1 level, you should understand the nuance of 'guzuguzu' as a sign of indecisiveness or lack of initiative. It’s not just about speed; it's about the psychological state of being 'stuck.' You might use it in a work context (carefully!) to describe a delay in a project: 'Guzuguzu shite iru to, kigen ni ma ni awanaku naru' (If we keep hesitating, we won't make the deadline). You should also be able to distinguish 'guzuguzu' from similar words like 'mota-mota' (clumsy/inefficient) and 'noro-noro' (slow speed). For a B1 learner, the focus is on 'appropriateness.' You know that 'guzuguzu' is a bit critical, so you use it when you want to express that a delay is unnecessary. You can also use the word to describe unsettled weather ('guzuguzu shita tenki'), which adds a layer of sophistication to your conversation. At this level, you should be comfortable using the 'to' particle with it, as in 'guzuguzu to jikan o tsubusu' (to waste time lingeringly). You are moving beyond simple 'suru' sentences and into more descriptive adverbial use. You might also encounter it in literature or news articles describing social stagnation or political indecision. The word captures a very specific type of 'friction' in life—whether it's mental, physical (snot), or environmental (clouds). Recognizing this common thread of 'obstruction' will help you use the word accurately in various contexts.

At the B2 level, you should have a firm grasp of 'guzuguzu' in all its idiomatic and metaphorical forms. You understand that it is a 'gitaigo' that conveys a specific 'texture' of time and action. You can use it to describe complex human behaviors, such as someone who 'guzuguzu' stays in a bad relationship or a job they hate because they can't make a decision. The word implies a certain 'muddiness' of the soul. You should also be aware of the verb 'guzutsuku,' which is often used for weather but can also describe a situation that is not progressing smoothly. In B2, you are expected to handle the social nuances perfectly—knowing that calling a superior 'guzuguzu' is a serious breach of etiquette, even if they are actually being slow. You might use the word in an essay to criticize a lack of social change: 'Seifu ga guzuguzu shite iru aida ni, mondai wa akka shita' (While the government was hesitating, the problem worsened). This demonstrates your ability to apply everyday onomatopoeia to abstract concepts. You also understand the phonetic symbolism: the voiced 'g' and 'z' sounds (dakuten) create a 'heavy' and 'dirty' feeling, which is why it's used for snot and grumbling, whereas unvoiced sounds like 'shaki-shaki' feel light and clean. This deep phonetic understanding is a hallmark of an advanced learner.

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At the C1 level, 'guzuguzu' becomes a tool for nuanced expression in both speech and writing. You can use it to add 'color' and 'texture' to your descriptions. For example, in a literary analysis, you might describe a character’s 'guzuguzu' internal monologue as a representation of their existential dread. You understand the historical and cultural context—how the Japanese emphasis on 'wa' (harmony) and 'kaizen' (improvement) makes the behavior of 'guzuguzu' particularly noticeable and often frowned upon. You can effortlessly switch between 'guzuguzu' and more formal synonyms like 'shunjun' (hesitation) or 'teitai' (stagnation) depending on the audience. You also recognize the word's use in specialized areas, such as medical descriptions of chronic sinusitis or meteorological reports on long-term low-pressure systems. Your mastery includes the ability to use 'guzuguzu' sarcastically or for comedic effect, playing on its childish or 'muddy' connotations. You are also aware of how the word has evolved and how it compares to modern slang terms for procrastination. For a C1 learner, 'guzuguzu' is not just a word for 'slow'; it is a cultural marker that describes a specific type of 'social and psychological friction' that is uniquely expressed through Japanese sound-symbolism.

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At the C2 level, you possess a native-like intuition for 'guzuguzu.' You can sense the exact moment when 'mota-mota' ends and 'guzuguzu' begins. You use the word with total confidence in its rhythmic and prosodic impact on a sentence. You might use it in a high-level creative writing piece to evoke a specific atmosphere—perhaps a humid, 'guzuguzu' afternoon in Tokyo where the air is as thick as the indecision of the protagonist. You understand the etymological links (though often debated) to words like 'kuzu' (waste) and how the phonetic structure fits into the broader system of Japanese sound symbolism. You can engage in deep discussions about how 'guzuguzu' reflects Japanese attitudes toward time ('toki') and action ('koui'). In professional settings, you might use the term to describe a 'bottleneck' in a process, but with the perfect linguistic 'wrapping' to ensure it is interpreted as a constructive observation rather than a crude insult. You are also a master of the secondary meanings, using 'guzuguzu' to describe the 'grumbling' of a political faction or the 'unsettled' nature of a market trend. At this level, the word is a flexible brush in your linguistic kit, allowing you to paint precise pictures of delay, obstruction, and hesitation in any domain of human experience.

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ぐずぐず en 30 segundos

Primarily means dawdling, hesitating, or procrastinating in a way that annoys others.
Also describes a runny/stuffy nose or the sound of sniffling.
Can refer to grumbling or complaining in a slow, lingering manner.
Used for unsettled weather that lingers between rain and clouds.

The Japanese word ぐずぐず (guzuguzu) is a versatile onomatopoeic adverb (specifically a gitaigo or state-depicting word) that primarily describes the act of hesitating, dawdling, or procrastinating. It captures the essence of someone who is slow to act, often because they are indecisive, lazy, or preoccupied with trivial matters. In the fast-paced social fabric of Japan, where punctuality and 'kibakiba' (briskness) are highly valued, 'guzuguzu' often carries a negative or impatient nuance. It isn't just about being slow; it's about the unnecessary delay that frustrates others.

Core Concept: The word mimics the sound or feeling of something stuck or moving with friction. When applied to human behavior, it suggests a lack of momentum.

Beyond procrastination, 'guzuguzu' has two other significant meanings. First, it describes the sound and state of a runny or congested nose. When someone is sniffling or their nose feels 'stuffed up,' they might say their nose is 'guzuguzu suru.' This physical sensation of blockage mirrors the behavioral sense of being 'stuck.' Second, it can describe the act of mumbling complaints or grumbling under one's breath (guzuguzu iu). This is the verbal equivalent of dawdling—instead of speaking clearly or taking action, the person lingers on their dissatisfaction.

いつまでぐずぐずしているの？早く準備しなさい！ (How long are you going to keep dawdling? Get ready quickly!)

In daily life, you will hear parents using this with children who won't put on their shoes, or managers using it (perhaps more politely) to urge staff to make a decision. It is a word that highlights the gap between the expected time of action and the actual time of action. The phonetic quality of the word—with the voiced 'g' sounds—gives it a heavy, muddy feeling, which perfectly matches the sluggish behavior it describes. Understanding 'guzuguzu' requires sensing the frustration of the speaker. It is rarely a compliment. If someone says you are 'guzuguzu,' they are likely waiting for you to finish something or make up your mind. It is the antithesis of the Japanese ideal of 'shaki-shaki' (doing things crisply and efficiently).

Usage Contexts: 1. Procrastination (behavioral) 2. Sniffling (physical) 3. Grumbling (verbal) 4. Unsettled weather (atmospheric).

Finally, it can occasionally describe weather that can't decide whether to rain or clear up—'guzuguzu shita tenki.' This metaphorical extension emphasizes the 'unsettled' and 'lingering' nature of the word. Whether it's a person, a nose, or the sky, 'guzuguzu' indicates a lack of clarity and progress.

Using ぐずぐず (guzuguzu) correctly involves understanding its grammatical flexibility. It is most frequently used as an adverb followed by the verb 'suru' (to do), making it 'ぐずぐずする' (to dawdle/procrastinate). It can also modify verbs directly or be used with 'to' as in 'ぐずぐずと'.

Grammatical Pattern: [Subject] + ぐずぐず + [Verb (often する/いう/しる)]. Often used in the negative imperative: 'ぐずぐずしないで' (Don't dawdle).

When you want to tell someone to stop wasting time, the phrase 'ぐずぐずしないで' is your go-to expression. It is direct and carries a sense of urgency. For example, if a friend is taking too long to choose a meal at a restaurant while a long line forms behind you, you might whisper, 'ぐずぐずしないで早く決めて' (Don't dawdle, hurry up and decide).

彼はぐずぐずして、結局チャンスを逃した。 (He hesitated and ended up missing the chance.)

In the context of health, 'guzuguzu' describes a physical state. '鼻がぐずぐずする' (Hana ga guzuguzu suru) means your nose is runny or stuffed up. It’s a common way to describe the onset of a cold or hay fever (kafunsho). In this case, it is not a criticism of behavior but a description of a physical sensation. Another nuanced use is for weather. 'ぐずぐずした天気' (guzuguzu shita tenki) refers to a day where it drizzles, stops, stays cloudy, and never quite clears up. It's 'indecisive' weather. This is particularly common during the rainy season (tsuyu) in Japan.

そんなところでぐずぐずしていないで、中に入りなさい。 (Don't just stand there hesitating, come inside.)

When describing a person's character, you might say someone is 'guzu-guzu shite iru hito.' This implies they are a chronic procrastinator or someone who lacks the 'kire' (sharpness) to make quick decisions. In a professional setting, being described this way is quite negative, as it suggests you are slowing down the team's progress.

Collocation Example: ぐずぐずと時間を潰す (guzuguzu to jikan o tsubusu) - To waste time lingeringly/aimlessly.

To master this word, practice using it in the negative to spur action. It is a powerful tool for expressing impatience or describing a lingering state of being. Whether you are dealing with a slow computer, a hesitant friend, or a cold, 'guzuguzu' provides the perfect phonetic match for that 'stuck' feeling.

You will encounter ぐずぐず (guzuguzu) in a variety of everyday Japanese environments, ranging from the domestic sphere to workplace interactions and even in weather reports. It is a 'high-frequency' word because it addresses a common human frustration: the lack of speed or decisiveness.

The Home: Mornings in Japan are often a battleground for 'guzuguzu.' Parents will frequently shout 'Guzuguzu shinai de!' to children who are slow to eat breakfast or get dressed for school. It’s the quintessential 'hurry up' word for family life.

In the workplace, 'guzuguzu' is heard when projects are stalled. While a boss might use more formal language in a meeting, in a one-on-one or a casual office setting, they might say, 'Guzuguzu shite iru to, kigen ni ma ni awanai yo' (If you keep dawdling, you won't make the deadline). It highlights a lack of initiative.

「あー、また鼻がぐずぐずしてきた。花粉かな？」 ("Ah, my nose is starting to get stuffy again. Maybe it's pollen?")

TV dramas and anime are rich sources for this word. Characters who are timid or indecisive (the 'weak' protagonist type) are often told to stop being 'guzuguzu.' It’s a standard trope for a character who is standing in the rain, unable to confess their feelings or make a big life choice. The word emphasizes their internal conflict manifesting as external inaction. Socially, you might hear it among friends when planning an outing. If the group is standing around on a street corner unable to decide which cafe to go to, someone might eventually snap, 'Guzuguzu shite naide, doko demo ii kara hairou!' (Don't just stand here dawdling, let's just go in anywhere!).

「ぐずぐず言わずに、さっさとやりなさい！」 ("Stop grumbling and just do it already!")

In literature, 'guzuguzu' is used to describe the atmosphere. A writer might describe a character 'guzuguzu' walking through a muddy field, where the word evokes the physical resistance of the mud and the slow, heavy steps of the person. This shows the word's ability to bridge the gap between physical sound and psychological state.

Media Usage: News reports on the 'Tsuyu' (rainy season) often describe the 'guzuguzu shita tenki' (unsettled weather) that lingers for weeks, perfectly capturing the damp, grey, indecisive nature of the season.

By paying attention to these contexts, you'll realize that 'guzuguzu' is less about the speed of a clock and more about the feeling of time being wasted or a process being obstructed. It is the sound of friction in life's gears.

While ぐずぐず (guzuguzu) is a common word, learners often confuse it with other similar-sounding onomatopoeia or use it in contexts where a different level of formality is required. Avoiding these pitfalls will make your Japanese sound much more natural.

Confusion with 'Uro-uro': 'Uro-uro' (うろうろ) means to wander aimlessly or loiter. While both involve not getting to the point, 'guzuguzu' implies a delay in action or decision, whereas 'uro-uro' is about physical movement without a destination. You 'guzuguzu' when you can't decide to leave; you 'uro-uro' when you are lost in the station.

Another common mistake is mixing it up with 'Mota-mota' (もたもた). These are very close, but 'mota-mota' specifically refers to being clumsy or inefficient while doing a task. 'Guzuguzu' is often about the delay in starting or the hesitation itself. If you are slow at typing, you are 'mota-mota.' If you are staring at the keyboard unable to start, you are 'guzuguzu.'

❌ 鼻がうろうろする。 (My nose is wandering aimlessly.)
✅ 鼻がぐずぐずする。 (My nose is stuffy/runny.)

Learners also sometimes use 'guzuguzu' to mean 'slowly' in a neutral or positive way, like 'yukkuri.' This is a mistake. 'Yukkuri' is positive (relaxing, taking one's time), while 'guzuguzu' is almost always negative (wasting time). Never tell your boss to 'guzuguzu' work on a project! There is also the 'sniffling' vs. 'procrastinating' confusion. If you say 'Kare wa guzuguzu shite iru,' people will usually assume he is dawdling unless he is visibly holding a tissue. Context is key. If you specifically mean a runny nose, it's safer to say 'Hana ga guzuguzu...' to avoid ambiguity.

❌ ぐずぐずお休みください。 (Please procrastinate and rest.)
✅ ゆっくりお休みください。 (Please take your time and rest.)

Finally, don't confuse 'guzuguzu' with 'sorosoro' (it's about time to...). 'Sorosoro' is a polite way to signal a transition, while 'guzuguzu' is a criticism of a transition that is taking too long. If you want to leave a party, say 'Sorosoro kaerimasu.' If you are annoyed that your friend won't leave, you might think they are 'guzuguzu' doing their makeup.

Summary of Difference: Guzuguzu = Wasting time/stuck.
Mota-mota = Inefficient/clumsy.
Uro-uro = Wandering.
Yukkuri = Pleasantly slow.

By distinguishing these nuances, you avoid sounding unintentionally rude or confusing your physical symptoms with your personality traits.

Japanese is incredibly rich in adverbs that describe the 'manner' of an action. To truly master ぐずぐず (guzuguzu), it helps to see where it sits in the spectrum of 'slowness' and 'hesitation.'

もたもた (Mota-mota): Focuses on inefficiency. Use this when someone is struggling with a physical task, like fumbling with keys or being slow at a checkout counter. 'Guzuguzu' is more about the mental hesitation to start or finish.

のろのろ (Noro-noro): Focuses on speed. This is the 'snail's pace' word. A car in a traffic jam moves 'noro-noro.' It doesn't imply procrastination, just a very low velocity. 'Guzuguzu' implies a person is at fault for the slowness.

渋滞で車がのろのろ進んでいる。 (The cars are moving at a snail's pace due to the traffic jam.)

まごまご (Mago-mago): Focuses on confusion. Use this when someone is flustered because they don't know what to do. If a tourist is looking at a map and looks lost, they are 'mago-mago.' 'Guzuguzu' is less about being lost and more about being slow to act despite knowing what needs to be done.

だらだら (Dara-dara): Focuses on lack of discipline. This describes doing something in a sluggish, lazy way over a long period. 'Dara-dara work' means working without focus. 'Guzuguzu' is specifically about the 'stuckness' or the delay in the moment.

日曜日は一日中だらだら過ごした。 (I spent the whole Sunday lounging around lazily.)

When choosing between these, ask yourself: Is the person slow because they are clumsy (mota-mota)? Because they are confused (mago-mago)? Because they are lazy (dara-dara)? Or because they are just hesitating and wasting time (guzuguzu)? In the context of the nose, 'guzuguzu' is quite unique. You wouldn't use 'mota-mota' or 'noro-noro' for a runny nose. The only common alternative is 'zuzu-zuzu' (the sound of slurping up snot) or 'hana-mizu ga deru' (runny nose).

ぐずつく (Guzutsuku): This is a verb form derived from the same root. It is almost exclusively used for weather that remains unsettled. 'Tenki ga guzutsuku' (The weather is acting up/unsettled).

Understanding these subtle differences will help you pinpoint the exact type of 'slow' you are experiencing or observing, making your Japanese much more descriptive and accurate.

How Formal Is It?

Dato curioso

Some linguists suggest a connection to the word 'kuzu' (trash/waste), implying that the time spent 'guzuguzu' is 'waste time.' However, it is primarily a sound-symbolic creation.

Guía de pronunciación

UK ɡuːzuːɡuːzuː

US ɡuːzuːɡuːzuː

Flat (Heiban style). There is no strong stress on any syllable in standard Japanese.

Rima con

うずうず (uzu-uzu) むずむず (muzu-muzu) ぐずつく (guzutsuku) くず (kuzu) じゅず (juzu) みず (mizu) きず (kizu) はず (hazu)

Errores comunes

Stressing the first 'gu' like 'GU-zu-gu-zu'.
Pronouncing the 'u' too long like 'goooo-zoooo'.
Failing to voice the 'z', making it sound like 'gusu-gusu'.
Making the 'g' sound too breathy.
Pausing between the two 'guzu' parts.

Nivel de dificultad

Lectura 2/5

Written in Hiragana, very easy to read once you know the word.

Escritura 2/5

Simple Hiragana characters. No Kanji required for the adverb itself.

Expresión oral 3/5

Easy to pronounce, but requires the right 'impatient' tone to sound natural.

Escucha 3/5

Common in fast speech; sounds like a repetitive hum.

Qué aprender después

Requisitos previos

早く (Hayaku) 遅い (Osoi) する (Suru) 言う (Iu) 鼻 (Hana)

Aprende después

もたもた (Mota-mota) のろのろ (Noro-noro) うろうろ (Uro-uro) だらだら (Dara-dara) てきぱき (Teki-paki)

Avanzado

躊躇 (Chuucho) 逡巡 (Shunjun) 停滞 (Teitai) 遅延 (Chien) 蓄膿症 (Chikunoushou)

Gramática que debes saber

Gitaigo (Mimetic Words) as Adverbs

ぐずぐず（と）歩く (Walk slowly/dawdlingly).

Suru-Verbs from Onomatopoeia

ぐずぐずする (To dawdle).

Quotative 'Iu' with Onomatopoeia

鼻がぐずぐずいう (The nose makes a sniffling sound).

Negative Imperative 'Shinai de'

ぐずぐずしないで (Don't dawdle).

Noun Modification with 'Shita'

ぐずぐずした態度 (A hesitant attitude).

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Ejemplos por nivel

ぐずぐずしないで！

Don't dawdle!

Negative imperative of 'guzuguzu suru'.

早く！ぐずぐずしない！

Hurry! No dawdling!

Shortened command form.

ぐずぐずすると遅刻するよ。

If you dawdle, you'll be late.

Conditional 'to' used for inevitable consequences.

彼はいつもぐずぐずしている。

He is always dawdling.

Present continuous form 'shite iru'.

ぐずぐず、だめだよ。

Dawdling is no good.

Simple 'dame' structure.

ぐずぐずしないで食べて。

Eat without dawdling.

Te-form for connecting actions.

あ、ぐずぐずしちゃった。

Oh, I ended up dawdling.

Chau form (regretful completion).

ぐずぐずなのは嫌いです。

I hate being slow/hesitant.

Using 'no' to nominalize the state.

鼻がぐずぐずして、苦しいです。

My nose is stuffy/runny, and it's painful.

Physical state meaning.

ぐずぐず言わずに、早くやって。

Don't grumble, just do it quickly.

'Guzuguzu iu' means to grumble.

雨が降りそうで、ぐずぐずした天気だ。

It looks like rain; the weather is unsettled.

Describing weather.

準備にぐずぐずして、電車に乗り遅れた。

I dawdled getting ready and missed the train.

Particle 'ni' indicates the area of delay.

そんなところでぐずぐずしないでください。

Please don't dawdle in a place like that.

Polite negative command.

彼は返事をぐずぐずしている。

He is hesitating to give an answer.

Direct object 'henji' with 'o'.

風邪かな？鼻がぐずぐずする。

Is it a cold? My nose is sniffling.

Colloquial question form.

ぐずぐずしている時間は、もうない。

There is no more time to be dawdling.

Modifying the noun 'jikan'.

ぐずぐずしているうちに、売り切れてしまった。

While I was hesitating, it sold out.

'Uchi ni' indicates while a certain state continues.

いつまでもぐずぐずしていないで、決断しなさい。

Don't keep hesitating forever; make a decision.

'Itsu made mo' emphasizes the duration.

彼はぐずぐずと不満を並べ立てた。

He listed his complaints lingeringly/grumblingly.

Adverbial use with 'to'.

外はぐずぐずした空模様だ。

The sky outside looks unsettled/gloomy.

'Sora-moyou' refers to the look of the sky.

ぐずぐずするな、チャンスは一度きりだぞ。

Don't dawdle; you only get one chance.

Strong masculine imperative 'na'.

花粉症で一日中鼻がぐずぐずいっている。

My nose has been sniffling all day due to hay fever.

Using 'iu' for the sound of the nose.

彼はぐずぐずして、なかなか出発しようとしない。

He's dawdling and shows no sign of leaving.

'You to shinai' means 'not trying to/showing no intent to'.

ぐずぐずと作業を続けても効率が悪い。

Even if you keep working sluggishly, it's not efficient.

'Te mo' indicates 'even if'.

政府がぐずぐずしている間に、景気はさらに冷え込んだ。

While the government was hesitating, the economy cooled further.

Metaphorical use for political inaction.

そんなにぐずぐず言うなら、自分でやればいいじゃないか。

If you're going to grumble that much, why don't you do it yourself?

Conditional 'nara' with a rhetorical question.

ぐずぐずとした態度が、周囲の反感を買った。

His hesitant attitude drew the resentment of those around him.

'Hankan o kau' is an idiom for incurring resentment.

この季節は天気がぐずついて、洗濯物が乾かない。

In this season, the weather is unsettled, and the laundry won't dry.

Using the verb form 'guzutsuku'.

彼は将来についてぐずぐずと悩み続けている。

He continues to worry lingeringly about his future.

Describes a continuous, stagnant mental state.

ぐずぐずしている暇があったら、手を動かせ。

If you have time to dawdle, move your hands (get to work).

Imperative 'ugokase'.

返答をぐずぐず引き延ばすのは得策ではない。

It is not a good policy to keep dragging out your reply.

'Hikinobasu' means to prolong/drag out.

鼻のぐずぐずを抑える薬を飲んだ。

I took medicine to suppress the sniffling in my nose.

Nominalizing 'guzuguzu' with 'no'.

過去の栄光にすがってぐずぐずしている暇はない。

There is no time to linger, clinging to past glory.

Abstract use of lingering in a state.

ぐずぐずとした湿っぽい話はもうやめよう。

Let's stop these lingering, gloomy conversations.

'Shimeppoi' (damp/gloomy) pairs well with 'guzuguzu'.

組織のぐずぐずした体質が、イノベーションを阻んでいる。

The organization's stagnant nature is hindering innovation.

Applying the word to institutional culture.

彼は未練があるのか、いつまでも現場でぐずぐずしていた。

Perhaps because he had lingering regrets, he dawdled at the site forever.

'Miren' means lingering affection/regret.

ぐずぐずとした不透明な状況が続いている。

A lingering, opaque situation continues.

Describing a complex, unclear social state.

鼻がぐずぐずするのは、蓄膿症の兆候かもしれない。

The sniffling might be a sign of sinusitis.

Using specialized medical terms.

そんなぐずぐずしたやり方では、競争に勝てない。

With such a sluggish way of doing things, you can't win the competition.

Critiquing a methodology.

事態がぐずついて、一向に進展の兆しが見えない。

The situation is stalled, and there's no sign of progress at all.

Verb 'guzutsuku' applied to a 'jitai' (situation).

人生の岐路に立たされながら、彼はなおもぐずぐずと逡巡していた。

While standing at a crossroads in life, he was still lingering in hesitation.

'Shunjun' is a formal word for hesitation.

その法案は議会でぐずぐずと審議が長引いている。

The bill's deliberations are lingeringly dragging on in the Diet.

Political/Legal context.

ぐずぐずとした文体は、作者の迷いを反映しているようだ。

The lingering, meandering prose seems to reflect the author's indecision.

Literary criticism.

万事ぐずぐずと運ぶ彼の性格が、災いした格好だ。

It appears his personality, where everything moves sluggishly, has brought disaster.

'Wazawai shita kakkou da' is a sophisticated way to say 'resulted in misfortune'.

梅雨の終わりの、あのぐずぐずとした湿気が肌にまとわりつく。

That lingering humidity at the end of the rainy season clings to the skin.

Sensory, evocative description.

鼻の奥がぐずぐずと疼くような感覚がある。

There is a sensation like a lingering throbbing deep in the nose.

'Uzuku' means to throb/ache.

決断をぐずぐずと先送りにするのは、無責任極まりない。

Postponing a decision lingeringly is the height of irresponsibility.

'Kiwamarinai' means 'extremely/the height of'.

ぐずぐずとした低気圧が停滞し、各地に豪雨をもたらした。

A lingering low-pressure system stalled, bringing heavy rain to various regions.

Scientific/Meteorological precision.

Colocaciones comunes

ぐずぐずする

鼻がぐずぐずする

ぐずぐず言う

ぐずぐずした天気

ぐずぐず引き延ばす

ぐずぐず迷う

ぐずぐず立ち止まる

ぐずぐず準備する

ぐずぐず時間を潰す

ぐずぐずした態度

Frases Comunes

ぐずぐずしないで

— The most common command to tell someone to stop dawdling and hurry up.

ぐずぐずしないで、早く行きましょう！

ぐずぐずしているうちに

— Used to describe how an opportunity was lost while someone was hesitating.

ぐずぐずしているうちに、バスが行ってしまった。

鼻がぐずぐず

— Standard way to describe sniffling or a stuffed-up nose.

風邪のひき始めか、鼻がぐずぐずする。

ぐずぐず言うな

— A sharp way to tell someone to stop complaining or making excuses.

ぐずぐず言うな！四の五の言わずにやれ！

ぐずぐずした天気

— Refers to drizzly, cloudy, or indecisive weather.

ぐずぐずした天気が続いて、気分が晴れない。

ぐずぐずと悩む

— To worry about something for a long time without reaching a conclusion.

そんなことでぐずぐずと悩むのは時間の無駄だ。

ぐずぐずと居座る

— To overstay one's welcome or linger in a place longer than necessary.

客がいつまでもぐずぐずと居座っている。

ぐずぐずと片付ける

— To clean up or finish a task in a slow, unmotivated way.

彼はぐずぐずと荷物を片付け始めた。

返事をぐずぐずする

— To delay giving a response because of hesitation.

彼は結婚の返事をぐずぐずしている。

ぐずぐずした性格

— A personality trait of being indecisive or slow to act.

私のぐずぐずした性格を直したい。

Se confunde a menudo con

ぐずぐず vs うろうろ (Uro-uro)

Uro-uro is physical wandering; guzuguzu is temporal/mental delay.

ぐずぐず vs もたもた (Mota-mota)

Mota-mota is clumsiness during an action; guzuguzu is hesitation to act.

ぐずぐず vs だらだら (Dara-dara)

Dara-dara is lack of focus over time; guzuguzu is a 'stuck' state.

Modismos y expresiones

"ぐずぐずしてはいられない"

— We can't afford to dawdle; time is of the essence.

もうぐずぐずしてはいられない。すぐに出発だ！

Neutral/Urgent

"鼻をぐずぐずいわせる"

— To make sniffling sounds (often while trying not to cry or due to a cold).

彼女は鼻をぐずぐずいわせながら、悲しい映画を見ていた。

Descriptive

"ぐずぐずの極み"

— The height of procrastination or indecisiveness.

彼の決断の遅さは、まさにぐずぐずの極みだ。

Emphatic

"ぐずぐずと時を移す"

— To let time pass while doing nothing or hesitating.

ぐずぐずと時を移している間に、事態は悪化した。

Literary

"ぐずぐずの鼻"

— A nose that is constantly runny or stuffed up.

冬になると、彼はいつもぐずぐずの鼻を垂らしている。

Informal

"ぐずぐずした返事"

— A vague, hesitant, or non-committal answer.

彼はぐずぐずした返事ばかりで、はっきりしない。

Neutral

"ぐずぐずと尾を引く"

— For a problem or state to linger or drag on for a long time.

風邪がぐずぐずと尾を引いて、なかなか治らない。

Common

"ぐずぐずの展開"

— A plot or situation that moves slowly and frustratingly.

このドラマはぐずぐずの展開で、見ていてイライラする。

Casual

"ぐずぐずと不満をこぼす"

— To continuously and slowly vent one's dissatisfaction.

彼は酒を飲みながら、ぐずぐずと不満をこぼした。

Descriptive

"ぐずぐずする暇はない"

— There is no time to waste.

チャンスだ！ぐずぐずする暇はないぞ！

Motivational

Fácil de confundir

ぐずぐず vs のろのろ (Noro-noro)

Both mean 'slow.'

Noro-noro is about actual physical speed (like a car). Guzuguzu is about unnecessary delay or hesitation by a person.

車はのろのろ進むが、運転手はぐずぐずしている。

ぐずぐず vs ぐすぐす (Gusu-gusu)

Sounds almost identical.

Gusu-gusu is specifically the sound of sobbing or weeping quietly. Guzuguzu is for sniffling from a cold or dawdling.

彼女はぐすぐすと泣いていた。

ぐずぐず vs まごまご (Mago-mago)

Both involve not acting quickly.

Mago-mago implies confusion ('I don't know what to do'). Guzuguzu implies hesitation ('I can't decide' or 'I'm being slow').

駅でまごまごしていると、ぐずぐずするなと怒られた。

ぐずぐず vs そろそろ (Soro-soro)

Both relate to timing.

Soro-soro is 'it's about time to start.' Guzuguzu is 'you are taking too long to start.' One is a prompt, the other is a criticism.

そろそろ行こうよ。ぐずぐずしないで。

ぐずぐず vs ぐずつく (Guzutsuku)

Same root.

Guzutsuku is a verb usually reserved for weather or situations that are 'acting up' or 'stalled.' Guzuguzu is the adverb for the behavior.

天気がぐずついているから、ぐずぐずしないで帰ろう。

Patrones de oraciones

ぐずぐずしないで、[Verb]。

ぐずぐずしないで、早く食べて。

[Noun]がぐずぐずする。

鼻がぐずぐずする。

ぐずぐずしているうちに、[Result]。

ぐずぐずしているうちに、チャンスを逃した。

ぐずぐず（と）[Verb]。

ぐずぐずと文句を言う。

ぐずぐずした[Noun]。

ぐずぐずした天気。

[Situation]がぐずつく。

交渉がぐずついている。

ぐずぐずと[Abstract Verb]。

ぐずぐずと逡巡する。

ぐずぐずの[Noun]。

ぐずぐずの展開。

Familia de palabras

Sustantivos

ぐず (Guzu) - A slow person/dullard (insulting).

ぐずつき (Guzutsuki) - Stagnation/unsettled state.

Verbos

ぐずぐずする (Guzuguzu suru) - To dawdle.

ぐずつく (Guzutsuku) - To be unsettled (weather/situation).

ぐずる (Guzuru) - To be cranky/fretful (usually of a baby).

Adjetivos

ぐずぐずした (Guzuguzu shita) - Hesitant/unsettled (modifies nouns).

Relacionado

ぐずり (Guzuri) - Fussiness.

ぐず屋 (Guzuya) - Someone who is always slow.

ぐずのろ (Guzunoro) - Very slow and dull person.

ぐずびえ (Guzubie) - A lingering, damp cold.

ぐずまき (Guzumaki) - To wrap or do something slowly.

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Cómo usarlo

frequency

Very high in daily conversation, low in formal academic writing.

Errores comunes

Using 'guzuguzu' to mean 'slowly and carefully.' → ゆっくり (Yukkuri)
Guzuguzu implies wasting time, while yukkuri is positive and deliberate.
Using 'guzuguzu' for the speed of a train. → のろのろ (Noro-noro)
Noro-noro describes physical velocity; guzuguzu describes human hesitation.
Saying 'hana ga guzuguzu' to mean you are crying. → ぐすぐす (Gusu-gusu)
Gusu-gusu is the sound of sobbing; guzuguzu is the sound of a runny nose.
Using 'guzuguzu' in a formal business email to a client. → 遅延しております (Chien shite orimasu)
Guzuguzu is too colloquial and critical for formal business correspondence.
Confusing 'guzuguzu' with 'uro-uro' when lost. → うろうろ (Uro-uro)
Uro-uro is for wandering around physically; guzuguzu is for staying in one place and hesitating.

Consejos

Pair with 'Suru'

The most common way to use 'guzuguzu' is as a verb: 'guzuguzu suru.' This makes it easy to use in many sentences.

Feel the Impatience

When you hear 'guzuguzu,' imagine someone tapping their foot and looking at their watch. That's the 'feeling' of the word.

Nose Context

If you are in a pharmacy, look for 'guzuguzu' on cold medicine boxes. It's a key word for nasal congestion.

Avoid Insults

Don't call someone a 'guzu' unless you want to start a fight. It's much safer to say they are 'guzuguzu shite iru' (acting slow).

Rainy Season

Use 'guzuguzu shita tenki' during the June rainy season in Japan to sound like a local.

Optional 'To'

Adding 'to' (guzuguzu to) makes it sound more like a continuous action or a descriptive adverb.

Voice the Consonants

Make sure the 'G' and 'Z' are clear. If you say 'kusu-kusu,' it means giggling. If you say 'gusu-gusu,' it means sobbing.

Guzuguzu vs. Yukkuri

Always remember: Yukkuri is a choice (positive), Guzuguzu is a failure to act (negative).

The Mud Sound

Think of the sound of boots getting stuck in thick mud. 'Guzu... guzu...' That's the sound of someone who can't move forward.

Online Usage

In online forums, you might see people complaining about 'guzuguzu management' in games or companies. It means the management is slow to react.

Memorízalo

Mnemotecnia

Think of a 'Goose' in 'Goose' (Guzu-Guzu). If a goose is stuck in some 'goo,' it moves very slowly and hesitates. 'Guzu-guzu' is the sound of that goose trying to move through the mud.

Asociación visual

Imagine a person standing in thick, grey mud up to their knees. Every time they try to step, it makes a 'guzu...' sound. They are stuck and can't move forward quickly.

Word Web

Slow Hesitate Procrastinate Runny Nose Grumble Unsettled Weather Stuck Annoying

Desafío

Try to identify three times today when you were 'guzuguzu.' Did you wait too long to get out of bed? Did you hesitate to send an email? Say 'Guzuguzu shinai!' to yourself next time.

Origen de la palabra

Guzuguzu is a 'gitaigo' (mimetic word). Its origin lies in the phonetic symbolism of the Japanese language, where voiced consonants (g, z, d, b) represent heavy, dull, or dirty things.

Significado original: The sound of something being blocked, moving with friction, or the sound of sniffling.

Japanese (Onomatopoeic/Ideophonic).

Contexto cultural

Be careful using it to describe people directly, as calling someone a 'guzu' is a harsh insult implying they are uselessly slow.

Similar to 'dawdling' or 'dilly-dallying,' but 'guzuguzu' is much more common in daily speech than those English terms.

Commonly used in 'Doraemon' when Nobita is being slow or lazy. Appears in many J-Pop lyrics describing a hesitant heart in love. Used in health commercials for nasal sprays (e.g., Contac, Allegra).

Practica en la vida real

Contextos reales

Morning Routine

ぐずぐずしないで早く起きなさい！
準備にぐずぐずする。
朝からぐずぐず言わないで。
ぐずぐずしてると遅刻だよ。

At the Clinic

鼻がぐずぐずします。
昨日から鼻がぐずぐずいっています。
ぐずぐずを抑える薬をください。
鼻の奥がぐずぐずする。

Work/Office

返事をぐずぐず引き延ばす。
ぐずぐずしている暇はない。
会議がぐずぐずと長引く。
ぐずぐずした態度は見せないで。

Socializing

どこに行くかぐずぐず迷う。
ぐずぐずしないで早く決めて。
いつまでもぐずぐず居座る。
ぐずぐずしてチャンスを逃した。

Weather Forecast

今日はぐずぐずした天気ですね。
週末は天気がぐずつくでしょう。
ぐずぐずした空模様。
雨がぐずぐずと降り続く。

Inicios de conversación

"「最近、鼻がぐずぐずするんだけど、花粉かな？」 (Lately my nose is sniffling, maybe it's pollen?)"

"「いつも準備にぐずぐずしちゃうんだけど、どうすればいい？」 (I always end up dawdling when getting ready, what should I do?)"

"「ぐずぐずした天気が続いて、洗濯物が困るよね。」 (This unsettled weather keeps continuing, laundry is a problem, isn't it?)"

"「あのレストラン、注文してから来るまでぐずぐずしてない？」 (That restaurant is slow/dawdling between the order and the food, don't you think?)"

"「仕事の返事をぐずぐずしている人がいて、困っているんだ。」 (There's someone delaying a work reply, and I'm troubled.)"

Temas para diario

今日は何かにぐずぐずしてしまったことはありますか？それはなぜですか？ (Was there anything you dawdled on today? Why was that?)

「ぐずぐずした天気」の日は、家で何をしたいですか？ (What do you want to do at home on a day with 'unsettled weather'?)

あなたが一番「ぐずぐずしないで！」と言いたい相手は誰ですか？ (Who is the person you most want to say 'Don't dawdle!' to?)

鼻がぐずぐずするとき、あなたはどうやって治しますか？ (When your nose is stuffy, how do you fix it?)

決断をぐずぐずして後悔した経験について書いてください。 (Write about an experience where you regretted hesitating to make a decision.)

Preguntas frecuentes

10 preguntas

Yes, in almost every context. When describing behavior, it implies an unnecessary or annoying delay. When describing health, it implies an unpleasant cold. When describing weather, it implies gloomy, unsettled conditions. It is never used to praise someone for being careful or deliberate; words like 'shinchou' are used for that.

It's better to use 'omoi' (heavy) or 'osoi' (slow) for a computer. 'Guzuguzu' is typically used for human behavior or biological/natural processes like a nose or weather. However, in very casual personification, you might say it, but it's not standard.

'Guzuguzu' is 'why haven't you started/finished yet?' (hesitation). 'Mota-mota' is 'why are you so clumsy/inefficient at doing that?' (clumsiness). If you are slow at typing, you are 'mota-mota.' If you are staring at the screen and not typing at all, you are 'guzuguzu.'

Only informally. You might say it to a close colleague or a subordinate you are very familiar with. In formal meetings or emails, use 'shunjun' (hesitation) or 'chien' (delay) to remain professional.

You say 'Hana ga guzuguzu suru' (鼻がぐずぐずする) or 'Hana ga guzuguzu iu' (鼻がぐずぐずいう). Both are common and describe the sniffling, stuffed-up feeling of a cold or allergy.

The word 'guzu' (without the repetition) can be a noun meaning a 'slowpoke' or a 'dullard,' but it is quite insulting. 'Guzuguzu' itself is primarily an adverb or a suru-verb.

Not exactly. 'Gusu-gusu' (with an 's') is the sound of sobbing. 'Guzuguzu' is the sound of a runny nose. Sometimes they overlap if someone is sniffling while crying, but they are distinct words.

Most Japanese onomatopoeia and mimetic words (giseigo/gitaigo) are written in Hiragana or Katakana. Katakana is used for emphasis or physical sounds, while Hiragana is common for states and adverbs. There are no standard Kanji for 'guzuguzu.'

No, 'noro-noro' is the standard word for traffic moving slowly. 'Guzuguzu' would imply the cars are hesitating to drive, which doesn't make much sense unless the drivers are indecisive.

No. 'Taking my time' in a positive sense is 'yukkuri.' If you say 'guzuguzu,' you are saying you are 'wasting time' or 'stalling.'

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