Japanese · Insults
のろま
noroma
no-RO-mah · /noɾoma/
Slowpoke / dead weight
2/5 Bar-safe
coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances
Literally
"slow one / dullard"
Word-for-word — which is rarely what it means.
How to use it
Old-fashioned but still-used jab at someone slow — slow-moving or slow-witted. Mild and a bit retro, the kind of thing a gruff older boss or a grandparent might say. Lands as more disappointed than furious.
Heard in the wild
のろまだなあ、早くしろよ。
What a slowpoke — hurry it up.
Where it lands
Nationwide; slightly dated register
Quick answers
- What does "のろま" mean?
- In Japanese, "のろま" means "Slowpoke / dead weight". Literally it's "slow one / dullard". Old-fashioned but still-used jab at someone slow — slow-moving or slow-witted. Mild and a bit retro, the kind of thing a gruff older boss or a grandparent might say. Lands as more disappointed than furious.
- Is "のろま" offensive?
- It's on the mild end — 2/5 (Bar-safe) on the Punch-o-Meter. coarse but friendly; fine among acquaintances.
- How do you pronounce "のろま"?
- Say it "no-RO-mah" — capitals mark the stressed syllable. In IPA: noɾoma.
Related in Japanese
ばか baka BAH-kah Idiot / dummy / stupid あほ aho AH-ho Idiot / dummy (Kansai flavor — often affectionate) 馬鹿野郎 baka-yarō BAH-kah yah-ROH You stupid bastard / you goddamn idiot クソ野郎 kuso-yarō KOO-so yah-ROH Piece of shit / shitty bastard この野郎 kono-yarō KO-no yah-ROH Why you...! / you little...! ブス busu BOO-soo Ugly woman / dog
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