うかうか

うかうか
adverb
carelessly; idly; off one's guard
descriptive
1. carelessly; idly; off one's guard
Letting time pass without paying attention or taking action; being careless and unfocused. Often used in a warning that doing so will lead to a bad outcome.
うかうかしていられない。
I can't afford to be careless.
うかうかと時間(じかん)を過(す)ごしてしまった。
I idled the time away.
ライバルが力(ちから)をつけてきたので、うかうかしていると追(お)い抜(ぬ)かれる。
My rival has been getting stronger, so if I'm not careful I'll be overtaken.

Describes letting time slip by inattentively, or being off one's guard.

Usage

  • Most often appears as うかうか(と)する, or as うかうかしていると ('if you're not careful...').
  • Frequently followed by a warning about a negative consequence.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • ぼんやり: absent-mindedly — vague and unfocused, but without the 'wasting time / off guard' warning
  • のんびり: in a relaxed way — a positive nuance; うかうか is a criticism

Related Words

Compare: ぼんやり (absent-mindedly)
Compare: のんびり (in a relaxed way)
general
Added 2026.5.18 13:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
27500/27789_ukauka