The Meaning of yukkuri [ゆっくり] In Japanese

ゆっくり
ゆっくり
Romaji: yukkuri N5

What does ゆっくり mean?

Translation and Meaning

slowly, at one’s own pace, leisurely

Definition

What does ゆっくり mean? It means to proceed or act slowly at a comfortable pace, without rushing; it is an adverb that describes the tempo or manner of an action, often implying a relaxed or unhurried approach.

Type

adverb (副詞)

Stroke Order

Meanings

  • Slowly, at a comfortable pace.
  • Without hurry, taking one’s time.
  • Leisurely, relaxed in manner.

Usage

ゆっくり is used as an adverb to modify verbs in casual to polite speech, and it can appear in requests or imperatives to soften the tone; typical contexts include talking, walking, eating, or moving at a relaxed pace, for example ゆっくりしてください (yukkuri shite kudasai) or ゆっくり話して (yukkuri hanashite).
💡 Tips
Mnemonic: notice the small っ after ゆ, which signals a brief pause before く, reinforcing the idea of a deliberate, slowed pace when you say the word aloud.

Variations

  • じっくり (jikkuri) – thoroughly, carefully
  • のんびり (nonbiri) – leisurely, at ease
  • まったり (mattari) – relaxed
  • 速く (hayaku) – quickly

Example Phrases

  • 駅で友達と会い、ゆっくり話そう。
    Eki de tomodachi to ai, yukkuri hanasou.
    Let’s meet a friend at the station and talk slowly.
    Lista:
    • 駅で (eki de) – at the station
    • 友達と (tomodachi to) – with a friend
    • 会い (ai) – meet
    • ゆっくり (yukkuri) – slowly
    • 話そう (hanasou) – let’s talk
    The adverb 「ゆっくり」 modifies the verb 話そう, indicating the pace of speaking.
  • 静かな 部屋で 蝋燭を つけて 本を ゆっくり 読んだ。
    Shizukana heya de rousoku o tsukete hon o yukkuri yonda.
    In a quiet room, I lit a candle and read a book slowly.
    Lista:
    • 静かな (shizukana) – quiet
    • 部屋で (heya de) – in the room
    • 蝋燭を (rousoku o) – candle
    • つけて (tsukete) – light
    • 本を (hon o) – book
    • ゆっくり (yukkuri) – slowly
    • 読んだ (yonda) – read
    Gramática central: 「で」 indica local; 「つけて」 liga as ações de acender 「蝋燭」 e ler.
  • お嬢さん、こちらの席へどうぞ、ゆっくりおくつろぎください。
    Ojōsan, kochira no seki e dōzo, yukkuri okutsurogi kudasai.
    Miss, please take a seat here and make yourself comfortable.
    Lista:
    • お嬢さん (Ojōsan) – Miss
    • こちらの席へ (kochira no seki e) – to this seat
    • どうぞ (dōzo) – please / go ahead
    • ゆっくりおくつろぎください (yukkuri okutsurogi kudasai) – please take your time and relax
    The term 「お嬢さん」 is an honorific address for a young woman, adding politeness when speaking to someone else’s daughter or a customer; it conveys respect and a polite distance.
  • 今日、株価はゆっくり上昇している。
    Kyou, kabuka wa yukkuri jōshō shite iru.
    Today, stock prices are slowly rising.
    Lista:
    • 今日 (kyou) – today
    • 株価 (kabuka) – stock price
    • は (wa) – topic particle
    • ゆっくり (yukkuri) – slowly
    • 上昇 (jōshō) – rise
    • している (shite iru) – is doing
    Here the noun 「上昇」 means ‘rise’ and is used with している to indicate ongoing rise.
ゆっくり