Japanese word

放浪

Pronunciation

Romajihōrō

Meaning

  • nounwandering

Example

若い頃、彼は放浪を続けました。waka i koro kare wa hō rō o tsuzu ke ma shi ta

When he was young, he continued wandering.

Illustration for 放浪 (wandering)

More examples

長い放浪の末、彼は故郷に戻りました。naga i hō rō no sue kare wa ko kyō ni modo ri ma shi ta

After a long period of wandering, he returned to his hometown.

Core concept

Describes moving from place to place without settling in one location.

Common phrases

  • 放浪の旅hō rō no tabi

    wandering journey

  • 放浪を続けるhō rō o tsuzu ke ru

    continue wandering

  • 放浪に出るhō rō ni de ru

    set out wandering

Similar words

旅行ryokō: Travel from place to place, usually temporarily and often for a purpose.
さすらいsasurai: A wandering life away from home with an uncertain destination.
彷徨hōkō: Wandering without a clear destination or settled course.
漂泊hyōhaku: Moving from place to place while living without a fixed home.

Definition in Japanese

定まった住まいや行き先を持たず、あちこちを長く旅して歩くこと。sada ma tta su ma i ya i ki saki o mo ta zu a chi ko chi o naga ku tabi shi te aru ku ko to

Word origin

放浪 (hōrō) is a Sino-Japanese compound of 放 (hō, "release") and 浪 (rō, "wave"), suggesting movement that does not settle in one place.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 放浪 (hōrō) often has a more unsettled and literary tone than 旅行 (ryokō), which usually refers to ordinary travel.

Other meanings

  • roamingnoun
  • driftingnoun

Opposites

  • 定住teijūsettlementnoun

Related words

  • 放浪者hōrōshawanderernoun
  • 放浪癖hōrōkusewandering habitnoun

Word lists with this word