とぼとぼ
とぼとぼ
adverb
trudging wearily, plodding along
1.
trudging wearily, plodding along
Walking slowly and wearily, often suggesting exhaustion, sadness, or discouragement. Has a tired, heavy quality.
疲れてとぼとぼと家に帰った。
I trudged home wearily.
彼はとぼとぼと歩いていった。
He walked away wearily.
試合に負けた選手たちがとぼとぼと去っていった。
The players who lost the game trudged away dejectedly.
とぼとぼ is a mimetic word (擬態語) describing slow, weary walking.
NUANCE:
Conveys both physical and emotional heaviness—tiredness, sadness, disappointment, or discouragement. The walk lacks energy and purpose.
COMMON PATTERNS:
- とぼとぼ（と）歩く: to trudge along
- とぼとぼ（と）帰る: to trudge home
- とぼとぼ（と）去っていく: to walk away dejectedly
CONTRAST:
- てくてく: walking steadily (neutral, purposeful)
- すたすた: walking briskly (energetic, quick)
- よたよた: tottering (unsteady, weak)
- のろのろ: moving slowly (sluggish, can be annoying)