What Is “Noro Noro”? The Japanese Sound of Slow, Sluggish Movement

Ever seen a turtle cross the road at its own unhurried pace?

Or someone walk like they’ve got all the time in the world?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Noro Noro” (のろのろ) comes in — a sound full of delay, slowness, and heavy-footed motion.

Let’s start by listening to the sound itself!

What is “Noro Noro (のろのろ) ”?

“Noro Noro” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes slow, unhurried, or sluggish movement.

It can be used for walking, working, driving — anything that feels like it’s dragging along.

It often carries a slightly negative nuance, implying inefficiency or slowness that causes delay.

Pronunciation

noh-roh noh-roh
(Say it slowly, with a drawn-out rhythm to match its meaning)

Categories

Movement / Condition

あわせて読みたい

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What Does “Noro Noro” Look Like?

It looks like:

• A turtle moving across the road
• A sleepy commuter inching toward the train
• A traffic jam on a rainy day

Think of thick syrup dripping… slowly.

How Do You Say It?

Stretch it out, like you’re wading through molasses:
Noro… noro…

Let it sound a bit lazy or drowsy:

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: A turtle crossing the path

The turtle moved one step at a time,
its little legs inching forward with effort —
noro noro…

Example 2: A student walking to school half-asleep

He left home late,
his bag half-zipped,
his steps dragging through the morning fog —
noro noro…

Cultural Note

In English, we might say:

• “He’s moving like a snail.”
• “She’s dragging her feet.”
• “It’s going painfully slow.”

But “noro noro” adds a sound-based charm — it’s the rhythm of sluggishness itself.

In children’s books and daily conversations, it’s used to describe anyone or anything that just won’t speed up.

It’s often playful but can also carry a bit of frustration.

Watch & Feel the “Noro Noro” World!

Feel the “Noro Noro” — The Dragging Pace

Watch these Noro Noro snails — every second feels like it takes a minute.

Try Using It!

When the internet is painfully slow…
When your brain isn’t working in the morning…
When traffic crawls for no reason…

Just sigh and say:
Noro noro…