What Is “Nuru Nuru”? The Japanese Sound of Slimy, Slippery, and Gooey Textures

Ever touched raw okra or seaweed that felt slippery between your fingers?

Or stirred natto and saw the sticky strings stretch out endlessly?

That’s when the Japanese onomatopoeia “Nuru Nuru” (ぬるぬる) comes in — a sound and feel of slimy slipperiness, often a bit uncomfortable, but sometimes fun.

First, let’s listen to how it sounds!

What is “Nuru Nuru” (ぬるぬる)?

“Nuru Nuru” is a Japanese onomatopoeia that describes a slimy, slippery, gooey texture or movement.

It’s used in two main ways:

• For touch/texture — things that feel slimy or coated in something slippery.
• For movement — something sliding smoothly because of its sliminess.

It often carries a nuance of unpleasant sliminess, though in food contexts (like seaweed soup or natto), it can also be positive.

Pronunciation

nu-roo nu-roo
(Say it slowly, with a slippery sound, like your tongue is sliding inside your mouth.)

Category

Texture

あわせて読みたい

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What Does “Nuru Nuru” Look Like?

It looks like slimy strings stretching between chopsticks.
Like a snail leaving a glistening trail.
Like your hand slipping on a soapy plate.

How Do You Say It?

Say it with a slippery slide, almost dragging the n and r sounds:
Nuru… nuru…

Like the sound of something coated in slime, or sliding away.

Examples in Daily Life

Example 1: Slippery rock

He stepped on a wet rock,
and his foot slipped —
nuru nuru…

In Japanese, this would be:
ぬるぬるだね。

Example 2: Too Much Cream

She applied a thick layer of moisturizing cream,
her cheeks felt slick and shiny —
nuru nuru…

In Japanese, this would be:
ぬるぬるだよ。

Cultural Note

In English, you might say:
“Slippery,” “Slimy,” or “Gooey.”

But “nuru nuru” gives a more vivid sensory feel — you can almost feel the unpleasant slipperiness in your mouth or under your hands.

That’s why it often appears in children’s books, anime, and food descriptions. Depending on the context, it can be gross… or delicious.

Watch & Feel the “Nuru Nuru” World!

Slimy and smooth texture

That’s the nuru nuru world!

Try Using It!

When your hand slips on soap…

When your noodles feel slimy with seaweed…

When you see a snail crawling…

Say it out loud:
Nuru nuru〜

More Texture-based Onomatopoeia: