くねくね

くねくね
adverb, noun, onomatopoeia
winding; curvy; wiggling
descriptiveonomatopoeia
1. winding; meandering
Describes a path, road, or shape that has many curves and turns.
くねくねした道(みち)。
A winding road.
くねくねした山道(やまみち)を登(のぼ)った。
We climbed up the winding mountain road.
川(かわ)がくねくねと流(なが)れている。
The river meanders along.
2. wiggling; writhing
Describes sinuous, snake-like movement.
蛇(へび)がくねくねと進(すす)んでいく。
The snake slithers along.
彼女(かのじょ)はくねくねと踊(おど)っていた。
She was dancing with sinuous movements.
虫(むし)がくねくねと体(からだ)を動(うご)かしていた。
The insect was wiggling its body.

Common patterns

  • 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)

Types

Mimetic word (擬態語(ぎたいご)) - describes shape or movement rather than sound.

Usage

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

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

Related Words

Compare: うねうね (winding)
Compare: にょろにょろ (slithering)

Related Articles

Common Onomatopoeia and Mimetic Words
general
Added 2026.1.18 13:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 12:02
06500/06717_kunekune