MATTA-RI まったり
Meanings
1. Describes a flavor or mouthfeel as mellow, rich, smooth, and pleasantly substantial.
2. Describes spending time in an unhurried, deeply relaxed, laid-back way.
Examples
The hot chocolate I received as a gift was rich, smooth, and delicious.
プレゼントでもらったホットチョコレートは、まったりしていて美味しい。
On my day off, I did absolutely nothing and just relaxed at home with my partner.
休日は、なにもしないで恋人と部屋でまったり過ごした。
Dogmatic Opinion
With food, I notice not only flavor but also a pleasant viscosity and weight on the tongue.
There is a song from Ojarumaru that goes, roughly, “MATTA-RI, MATTA-RI, MATTA-RI—let us go without hurrying or panicking.”
That captures sense 2 beautifully. There is no work or errand nagging at your mind, conversation is minimal, and you are relaxed enough to fall asleep at any moment.
Bliss, basically.
MATTA-RI is close to NONBIRI, but MATTA-RI more readily describes the atmosphere and bodily comfort of the moment itself: low stimulation, no urgency, and a soft pleasant slowing-down.
Proximate Expression
relaxed
calm
comfortable
lounge
chilling in my room
put one’s feet up
Related Words
For Japanese Learners
Relaxed, laid-back, mellow, take it easy, chill, rich, smooth, and mellow may fit depending on context. “家でまったり過ごす” can be “have a lazy, relaxing day at home” or “just chill at home.” For food, do not use “relaxed”; translate the rich, smooth mouthfeel instead.
