ぬくぬく

ぬくぬく
adverb
snugly warm, comfortably
1. snugly warm, cozily
Comfortably warm, often in a sheltered environment.
布団(ふとん)の中(なか)でぬくぬくしている。
I'm snuggled up warm in the futon.
暖房(だんぼう)の効(き)いた部屋(へや)でぬくぬくする。
To be cozy and warm in a heated room.
外(そと)は雪(ゆき)なのに、猫(ねこ)はこたつの中(なか)でぬくぬくしていた。
Even though it was snowing outside, the cat was snuggled up in the kotatsu.
2. living in comfort without hardship
Living an easy life without experiencing difficulties (often with slight negative nuance).
ぬくぬくと育(そだ)てられた。
Raised in comfort without hardship.
Slightly negative nuance.
親(おや)のお金(かね)でぬくぬくと暮(く)らしている。
Living comfortably off their parents' money.
Negative nuance: implies living an easy life without effort.
自分(じぶん)だけぬくぬくと安全(あんぜん)な場所(ばしょ)にいるのは申(もう)し訳(わけ)ない。
I feel bad being the only one comfortably safe.

ぬくぬく is an onomatopoeia describing cozy warmth or comfortable living.

SENSE 1 - PHYSICAL WARMTH:

SENSE 2 - SHELTERED LIFE (often negative):

VERBAL USE:
ぬくぬくする: to be cozy, to snuggle up

CONTRAST:

Note: Sense 2 can carry a critical nuance, implying someone is too comfortable and hasn't experienced real difficulties.

Related Words

Related: ぽかぽか (warm (from the sun))
Related: ほかほか (steaming hot (food))
general
Added 2026.1.16 17:49 · Revised 2026.6.16 15:42
05500/05786_nukunuku