よたよた
よたよた
adverb
tottering; staggering; unsteady on one's feet
1.
tottering; staggering; walking unsteadily
Describes a wobbling, unstable walk — as of a toddler, an elderly person, a drunk, or someone too exhausted to keep their balance. More emphatic than よろよろ, often suggesting a precarious, almost-falling gait.
よたよたと歩いた。
I walked unsteadily.
赤ちゃんがよたよたと歩き始めた。
The baby started tottering along.
疲れ切って、よたよたしながら駅まで帰った。
Exhausted, I made my way back to the station, staggering.
Mimetic of unsteady walking. Used adverbially with と or by itself; also combines with する as よたよたする (to walk unsteadily).
COMMON COLLOCATIONS:
- よたよたと歩く: to walk unsteadily
- よたよたする: to be unsteady on one's feet
- よたよたの足取り: a wobbly, staggering gait
SIMILAR WORDS:
- よろよろ: tottering — similar but slightly less dramatic; suggests swaying
- ふらふら: woozy; staggering — emphasizes dizziness rather than weakness
- ヨボヨボ: feeble; decrepit — of old age, more about general frailty than a walk