どろんこ

どろんこ
noun
muddy, covered in mud
informaldaily-lifedescriptive
1. muddy, covered in mud, mud-covered state
The state of being covered in mud, or mud itself (in childish speech). Very common in contexts involving children playing outside.
どろんこになった。
I got all muddy.
どろんこ遊(あそ)びをする。
To play in the mud.
子供(こども)たちがどろんこになって遊(あそ)んでいる。
The children are playing and getting all muddy.

どろんこ describes the state of being covered in mud, or mud itself in a playful, childish sense. It has a warm, nostalgic quality associated with children playing outdoors.

Forms

泥(どろ) (mud) + んこ (emphatic/childish suffix). Can also be written as 泥(どろ)んこ.

Common expressions

  • どろんこになる: to get all muddy
  • どろんこ遊(あそ)び: mud play (a common childhood activity)
  • どろんこ道(みち): muddy road

Register

Informal, with a childish or affectionate quality. Adults might use it nostalgically or when talking to/about children. For neutral descriptions, use 泥(どろ)だらけ (muddy, covered in mud) instead.

Similar words

Related Words

Compare: 泥(どろ) (mud)
Compare: 泥(どろ)だらけ (covered in mud)
Compare: ぬかるみ (muddy ground, quagmire)
general
Added 2026.1.31 13:25 · Revised 2026.9.30 6:43
09000/09102_doronko