What Is “Dara Dara”? The Japanese Sound of Lazing, Dripping, or Dragging On

Ever sat on the couch on a hot afternoon, too lazy to move, letting time slip by?

Or felt sweat dripping endlessly down your face on a humid day?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Dara Dara” comes in — a sound and feel of unhurried flow, whether it’s liquid or time itself.

Before we dive in, hear what it sounds like!

What is “Dara Dara” (だらだら) ?

“Dara Dara” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes something going on and on without much energy or variation.

It’s used in two main ways:

1. For liquids or sweat — dripping or flowing continuously in small amounts.
2. For actions or time — dragging on aimlessly or without purpose.

It can be literal (sweat running down your face) or figurative (a meeting that drags on forever).

Pronunciation

dah-rah dah-rah
(Say it lazily, stretching it out a little — like you have nowhere to be.)

Categories

Movement / Condition / Atmosphere

あわせて読みたい

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What Does “Dara Dara” Look Like?

It looks like beads of sweat tracing slow paths on skin.
Like a clock ticking in a too-long meeting.
Like someone sunk into the sofa with a blanket, remote in hand.

How Do You Say It?

Say it loosely, with no rush:
Dara… dara…

Like sweat rolling down your temple,
or time stretching without end:
Dara dara…

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Endless sweat

The sun blazed overhead,
and sweat ran down his face,
dara dara…

Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be:
あせが、だらだらでるよ。

Example 2: Lazy afternoon

She lay on the couch,
watching random videos,
the hours passing
dara dara…

Just for reference, in Japanese, this would be:
きょうは、だらだらしているよ。

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:

• “Dripping with sweat.”
• “Lazing around.”
• “It’s dragging on.”

But in Japanese, “dara dara” gives you the sound-and-feel image — you almost feel the unhurried trickle or sluggish pace.
It often carries a slightly negative nuance when talking about wasted time, but it can also describe a comfortable, lazy mood.

Watch & Feel the “Dara Dara” World!

Feel the “dara dara” — the drag, the unhurried pace.

Sometimes it’s peaceful, sometimes it’s wasteful — but always, it moves slowly.

The world is in no hurry.

Try Using It!

When you feel the sweat rolling down your back…
When time seems to drag endlessly…
When you’re enjoying a lazy day…

Say it softly:
Dara dara〜