How to say "lingering" in Japanese
Choosing the right word
- adverb (with と), suru verbCovers lingering as dawdling: acting slowly or tardily rather than feelings that persist. A common mimetic word, it suits someone lingering over a task or dawdling instead of getting on with things.何をぐずぐずしてるの？↗What's taking you so long?
- 冷めやらぬさめやらぬpre-noun adjectivalDescribes the emotional sense of 'lingering': feelings or emotions that have not cooled and remain strong. A less common expression, it is not the word for dawdling — for that, use ぐずぐず.
Use 「ぐずぐず」 for lingering in the sense of dawdling or acting slowly, and the less common 「冷めやらぬ」 for lingering feelings or emotions that have not cooled or faded.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese equivalents
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