ふらふら

ふらふら
adverb
unsteady; wobbly; aimlessly
descriptive
1. unsteady; wobbly; dizzy
Describes an unstable state, either physically or mentally.
熱(ねつ)でふらふらする。
I feel dizzy from the fever.
疲(つか)れてふらふらだ。
I'm so tired I can barely stand.
立(た)ちくらみでふらふらした。
I felt dizzy from standing up too fast.
2. aimlessly; without purpose
Wandering around without a clear destination.
街(まち)をふらふら歩(ある)く。
To wander aimlessly around the town.
仕事(しごと)もしないでふらふらしている。
He's just wandering around doing nothing.
休日(きゅうじつ)に一人(ひとり)で商店街(しょうてんがい)をふらふら歩(ある)いた。
I wandered aimlessly through the shopping district alone on my day off.

ふらふら is an onomatopoeic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) with two related senses: physical unsteadiness and aimless wandering.

SENSE 1 — UNSTEADY/DIZZY:
Describes physical instability from illness, fatigue, or dizziness.

SENSE 2 — AIMLESSLY:
Describes wandering without purpose or direction. Often carries a mildly negative tone, implying idleness.

Similar words

  • よろよろ: tottering, staggering (from weakness or old age — more extreme)
  • ぐらぐら: wobbling, shaking (more for objects like tables or buildings)
  • うろうろ: pacing or wandering around restlessly (more purposeful anxiety than ふらふら)

Related Words

Related: よろよろ (tottering, staggering)
Related: ぐらぐら (wobbling (objects))
Related: うろうろ (restless wandering)
Related: くらくら (dizzy, giddy)
Compare: よたよた (tottering)
general
Added 2026.1.16 14:48 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
05000/05367_furafura