ごろごろ

ごろごろ
adverb
rumbling; rolling; lazing about
1. rumbling (thunder or stomach)
Describes the low rumbling sound of thunder or a hungry stomach.
(かみなり)がごろごろ()っている。
Thunder is rumbling.
(なか)がごろごろする。
My stomach is rumbling.
(とお)くでごろごろと(かみなり)(おと)()こえる。
I can hear the rumble of thunder in the distance.
2. rolling; tumbling
Describes something heavy rolling around.
(おお)きな(いし)がごろごろ(ころ)がった。
A large rock rolled along.
河原(かわら)にはごろごろと(いし)がある。
The riverbed is full of rocks scattered about.
荷物(にもつ)をごろごろと()いて(ある)いた。
I walked along rolling my luggage.
3. lazing about; lounging
Describes spending time doing nothing, lying around lazily.
休日(きゅうじつ)(いえ)でごろごろしている。
I spend my days off lazing around at home.
一日中(いちにちじゅう)ソファでごろごろしていた。
I spent the whole day lounging on the sofa.
仕事(しごと)(やす)みの()(なに)もせずごろごろするのが()きだ。
On my days off work, I like to just laze around doing nothing.

ごろごろ is an onomatopoeic word with three main uses: rumbling sounds, rolling motions, and lazing around. The meaning is determined by context.

MEANINGS BY CONTEXT:
1. Sound: rumbling ((かみなり)がごろごろ()る — thunder rumbles)
2. Motion: rolling or scattered ((いし)がごろごろしている — rocks are scattered about)
3. Idleness: lazing around ((いえ)でごろごろする — to laze around at home)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ごろごろする: to rumble; to roll; to laze around
  • ごろごろ(ころ)がる: to roll around
  • (なか)がごろごろする: stomach is rumbling

SIMILAR WORDS:

  • ごろん: lying down with a thud (single action)
  • ぐうたら: lazy, idle (describes a person's character)
  • だらだら: idly, sluggishly (emphasizes lack of productivity)