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” comes in — a sound full of delay, slowness, and heavy-footed motion.
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
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.
How Do You Say It?
Stretch it out, like you’re wading through molasses:
Noro… noro…
Let it sound a bit lazy or drowsy:
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.
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…
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