鈍重(どんじゅう)

どんじゅう
na-adjective
dull, slow, sluggish
formalmovement
1. dull, slow, sluggish, ponderous
Describes movement, reactions, or manner that is slow, heavy, and lacking agility. Often implies a negative quality of being unresponsive or unwieldy.
鈍重(どんじゅう)な動(うご)き
slow, ponderous movement
彼(かれ)の反応(はんのう)は鈍重(どんじゅう)だった。
His reaction was sluggish.
官僚(かんりょう)組織(そしき)の鈍重(どんじゅう)さが、改革(かいかく)を妨(さまた)げている。
The sluggishness of the bureaucracy is hindering reform.

Critical in tone: used of people, bodies and especially organizations that are slow to move or respond.

Common collocations

  • 鈍重(どんじゅう)な動(うご)き: slow, heavy movement
  • 鈍重(どんじゅう)な組織(そしき): a ponderous organization
  • 鈍重(どんじゅう)さ: sluggishness

Similar words

  • 緩慢(かんまん): slow — can be neutral (gradual change); 鈍重(どんじゅう) always adds heaviness and criticism
  • 鈍(にぶ)い: dull, slow — the everyday word, also of blades and pain
  • のろい: slow — casual
  • 機敏(きびん): nimble — the opposite

Related Words

Synonym: 緩慢(かんまん) (slow, sluggish)
Antonym: 機敏(きびん) (nimble, quick)
Antonym: 俊敏(しゅんびん) (agile, swift)
Related: 鈍(にぶ)い (dull, slow)
general
Added 2026.2.1 10:41 · Revised 2026.9.30 22:08
09000/09192_donjuu