くねくね

くねくね
adverb; noun (onomatopoeia)
winding; curvy; wiggling
1. winding; meandering
Describes a path, road, or shape that has many curves and turns.
くねくねした山道(やまみち)(のぼ)った。
We climbed up the winding mountain road.
2. wiggling; writhing
Describes sinuous, snake-like movement.
(へび)がくねくねと(すす)んでいく。
The snake slithers along.
彼女(かのじょ)はくねくねと(おど)っていた。
She was dancing with sinuous movements.

GRAMMAR:

  • くねくね(と) - adverbially
  • くねくねした + noun - adjective form
  • くねくねする - verb form (to wind/wiggle)

TYPE:
Mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) - describes shape or movement.

USAGE:

  • (みち)がくねくねしている (the road is winding)
  • くねくね()がる (to wind and turn)
  • くねくね(うご)く (to move sinuously)

RELATED ONOMATOPOEIA:

  • うねうね - undulating, wavy (larger scale than くねくね)
  • にょろにょろ - slithering (specifically snake-like creatures)
  • くにゃくにゃ - soft and flexible, floppy

NUANCE:
くねくね emphasizes repeated curves or undulating movement. Can describe roads, body movements, drawings, or anything with a sinuous quality.