ろくに + Verb (ない form)

[Not properly / Hardly / Barely]

Connection: ろくに + Verb (ない form)

Usage: Expresses that something is not done properly, sufficiently, or at all. Carries a negative, critical, or dissatisfied nuance — implying that what should have been done was neglected. Always used with negative verb forms. Colloquial.

Similar expressions:

• まともに〜ない = not properly (similar nuance)
• 十分に〜ない = not sufficiently (more neutral)
• ほとんど〜ない = hardly (more neutral)

Examples:

忙しくて、ろくに食事もとれなかった。(I was so busy that I couldn't even eat properly.)

彼はろくに説明もしないで、帰ってしまった。(He went home without even giving a proper explanation.)

最近ろくに寝ていないので、体調が悪い。(I haven't been sleeping properly lately, so I feel unwell.)