Uto Uto and Utsura Utsura (「うとうと」「うつらうつら」 - Drowsy)

Uto Uto and Utsura Utsura

Yesterday, I introduced you to the term 'inemuri' (居眠り), which means to fall asleep unwillingly when doing something.

To express the state of 'inemuri', you can use the Japanese onomatopoeia, 'uto uto' (うとうと) or 'utsura utsura' (うつらうつら).

'Uto uto' describes that you drift into a light sleep.

'Utsura utsura' describes that you drift in and out of dreamland.

Both of them imply that you are half awake and half asleep, but the former focuses on half sleeping, whereas the latter focuses on half awakening.

「うとうと」と「うつらうつら」

私は昨日、何かをしている最中に寝てしまうことを意味する「居眠り」という言葉を紹介しました。

この「居眠り」の状態を表す擬態語に、「うとうと」と「うつらうつら」があります。

「うとうと」は、浅い眠りについているさまを表します。

「うつらうつら」は、浅い眠りにひきこまれ、意識がはっきりしないさまを表します。

どちらも似た意味を有しますが、「うとうと」は半分眠っていることを、「うつらうつら」は半分起きていることを強調しています。

• Yesterday, I introduced you to the term 'inemuri' (居眠り), which means to fall asleep unwillingly when doing something.
• Yesterday, I introduced you to the term 'inemuri' (居眠り), which means to fall asleep unwillingly while doing something.

• To express the state of 'inemuri', you can use the Japanese onomatopoeia, 'uto uto' (うとうと) or 'utsura utsura' (うつらうつら).
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• 'Uto uto' describes that you drift into a light sleep.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• 'Utsura utsura' describes that you drift in and out of dreamland.
• This sentence is perfect! No correction needed!

• Both of them imply that you are half awake and half asleep, but the former focuses on half sleeping, whereas the latter focuses on half awakening.
• Both of them imply that you are half awake and half asleep, but the former focuses on being half asleep, whereas the latter focuses on being half awake.

Good!!