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Movement & Speed

もたもた

mota-mota

Fumbling, being slow

Acting clumsily and taking too long, being inefficient. Often used critically when someone is holding others up.

💡At a ticket gate — 'Don't mota-mota at the gate, people are waiting!'

Example

改札口でもたもたしないでください。

Please don't mota-mota at the ticket gate.

Quiz yourself

Stop ___ and hurry up, the train is leaving!

○○しないで急いで、電車が出るよ!

commutetrainmorningoffice
Intermediate