Definition
拖拖拉拉 is a reduplicated form of 拖拉 (to procrastinate), used as a state word to describe someone who is slow, sluggish, or procrastinating in doing things. It often carries a disapproving tone and can function as a predicate (他做事总是拖拖拉拉的) or an adverbial modifier (拖拖拉拉地做). You'll hear it in comments about work pace or task completion.
r.f.
dragging one's feetslow and procrastinatingsluggish (in doing things)
Examples
- 拖拖拉拉，。Tā zuò shì zǒng shì tuō tuō lā lā de, ràng rén hěn zháojí.He always drags his feet when doing things, which makes people anxious.
- 拖拖拉拉，。Bié tuō tuō lā lā de zuò zuòyè le, zǎo diǎn xiě wán zǎo diǎn wán.Stop doing your homework so slowly; finish it early so you can play early.
- 拖拖拉拉。Zhège xiàngmù yīnwèi tuánduì tuō tuō lā lā ér yánwù le gōngqī.This project was delayed because the team was dragging their feet.
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