陸に～ない
Not well or properly, Not much or enough, Barely, Hardly
Structure
Explanation
The adverb 陸に, when used with a negative verb form, expresses that an action is not performed 'properly', 'sufficiently', or 'decently'. It typically precedes the action being described, which is then negated by a ない-form verb, frequently in its potential form.
- 弟は試験の前なのに、ろくに勉強もしていない。あんなんで合格できるのかな。My little brother has barely studied at all, even though his exam is coming up. I wonder if he can pass like that.
- 彼はろくに部屋の掃除もできないくせに、いつも他人には厳しい。He's always so critical of others, yet he can't even properly clean his own room.
- 風邪をひいてからずっと気分が悪くて、ろくにご飯も食べられていない。I've felt so sick ever since I caught this cold that I've hardly been able to eat anything.
This grammar point is frequently written with the kanji 陸に, but it is just as common to find it written only in hiragana as ろくに. Another kanji, 碌に, is sometimes used, though this is an example of ateji, where the character is used for its phonetic value rather than its meaning.
- 赤ちゃんが夜中にずっと泣いていたので、陸に休めなかった。The baby was crying all through the night, so I could hardly get any rest.
- テレビばかり見ていて、碌に本も読まないので、両親に心配されている。My parents are worried because I only ever watch TV and don't really read any books.
This grammar pattern carries a nuance that an action is performed carelessly, incompletely, or without the necessary attention.
Fun-fact
The kanji 陸, which means 'land', takes on the reading ろく when it is used to convey a sense of being proper, level, or sound.
Examples
最近忙しくて、陸に食事もとれていない。
I've been so busy lately that I haven't been able to eat properly. (hardly・not well)
緊張しすぎて、陸に話せなかった。
I was so nervous that I could hardly speak. (barely・not well/properly)
陸に説明書も読まずに家具を組み立て始めた。
I started assembling the furniture without even properly reading the instructions. (hardly/barely・not well)
陸に調べもせずに記事を書いたので、間違いだらけだった。
Since I wrote the article without doing proper research, it was full of mistakes. (hardly/barely・not well)
陸に確認もしないで契約したので、後で後悔した。
I signed the contract without properly reviewing it, so I regretted it later. (hardly・not well/properly)
彼は人の話を陸に聞かないから、いつも誤解される。
He always gets misunderstood because he doesn't listen to people properly. (hardly・not well)
彼は陸に働きもしないのに、給料だけは一人前だ。
He barely even works, yet he expects a full salary. (hardly・not properly)
試験前で、ここ数日陸に休めていない。
With the exam coming up, I haven't been able to get any proper rest these last few days. (hardly・not well)
陸に考えもせずに返事をして、相手を怒らせてしまった。
I answered without thinking it through properly and ended up making the other person angry. (hardly/barely・not well)
あんなにひどいことをしたのに、彼は陸に謝りもしない。
Even though he did such a terrible thing, he won't even give a proper apology. (hardly・not well/properly)
霧が濃くて、陸に前も見えなかった。
The fog was so thick I could barely even see in front of me. (hardly・not well)
うちの子は陸に歯を磨かないので、虫歯が心配だ。
My kid doesn't brush their teeth properly, so I'm worried about cavities. (hardly・not well/properly)