揺らぐ|ゆらぐyuragu[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. godan verb, intransitive verbto swing; to sway; to shake; to tremble
  2. godan verb, intransitive verbto waver; to feel shaken; to become unstable
Conjugation
Dictionary form揺らぐ(ゆらぐ)
Polite (masu)揺らぎます(ゆらぎます)
Negative (nai)揺らがない(ゆらがない)
polite (masen)揺らぎません(ゆらぎません)
classical zu / nu揺らがず・揺らがぬ(ゆらがず・ゆらがぬ)
Past (ta)揺らいだ(ゆらいだ)
polite (mashita)揺らぎました(ゆらぎました)
Past negative (nakatta)揺らがなかった(ゆらがなかった)
polite (masen deshita)揺らぎませんでした(ゆらぎませんでした)
Te form揺らいで(ゆらいで)
Potential揺らげる(ゆらげる)
Passive揺らがれる(ゆらがれる)
Causative揺らがせる(ゆらがせる)
Causative passive揺らがせられる・揺らがされる(ゆらがせられる・ゆらがされる)
Conditional (ba)揺らげば(ゆらげば)
tara揺らいだら(ゆらいだら)
Volitional揺らごう(ゆらごう)
polite (mashou)揺らぎましょう(ゆらぎましょう)
Imperative揺らげ(ゆらげ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • SynonymゆらゆらCasualOnomatopoeic for soft, gentle swaying, as in 「ゆらゆら揺れる」.
  • Synonym揺れるゆれるNeutralThe everyday default for things shaking or swaying; 「揺らぐ」 also covers flickering and, more often, wavering belief or status.
  • RelatedガタガタCasualOnomatopoeic: rattling or clattering as things shake, or shivering from cold or fear. Common in speech.
  • Related揺るぐゆるぐWrittenWritten-style verb for shaking or wavering, very close to 「揺らぐ」; most often seen in the negative 「揺るがない」.
  • Related動揺どうようNeutralA noun for inner agitation or turmoil in a situation, as in 「動揺を隠せない」.
  • Related震えるふるえるNeutralFor the body trembling, with the focus on shaking caused by cold or fear.
  • RelatedガクガクCasualOnomatopoeic for trembling from fear or cold, like knees going weak and shaking.
  • Relatedぐら付くぐらつくNeutralFor wobbling unsteadily, and for resolve wavering; common in speech.
  • Related揺り動くゆりうごくWrittenWritten-style word for swaying or shaking; rare in practice — say 「揺れ動く」 or 「揺れる」 in everyday speech.
  • Related揺らめくゆらめくWrittenFor flames or light and shadows flickering and swaying, as in 「炎が揺らめく」; a gentle, visual kind of movement.
  • RelatedがたつくCasualFor rattling, being bumpy or unsteady, or an organization faltering, as in 「経営ががたつく」.
  • Antonym揺るがないゆるがないNeutralUnwavering and unshakeable — the direct opposite of wavering 「揺らぐ」.
  • Antonym安定するNeutralTo become stable or settle down, the opposite of unsteady 「揺らぐ」, as in 「生活が安定する」.

Use 「揺らぐ」 when resolve, trust, status or a situation wavers — 「決意が揺らぐ」「信頼が揺らぐ」 — and for flames or branches swaying. For objects simply shaking, pick 「揺れる」; for inner agitation, 「動揺」; for unsteady wobbling, 「ぐらつく」; for trembling, 「震える」; for steadfastness, 「揺るがない」.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

Japanese definitions
  1. 揺ゆれる。揺れ動ゆれうごく。
  2. 物事ものごとの土台どだいがぐらつく。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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