緩(ゆる)い

ゆるい
i-adjective
loose; slack; lenient; gentle
1. loose; slack
Not tight or firm, as of clothing, knots, or connections.
ベルトが緩(ゆる)いので、もう一(ひと)つ穴(あな)を締(し)めた。
The belt was loose, so I tightened it one more hole.
ネジが緩(ゆる)くなっている。
The screw has become loose.
この靴(くつ)はサイズが緩(ゆる)い。
These shoes are loose in size.
2. lenient; lax; permissive
Not strict in enforcement of rules or standards.
この会社(かいしゃ)は規則(きそく)が緩(ゆる)い。
This company has lax rules.
先生(せんせい)は採点(さいてん)が緩(ゆる)い。
The teacher is lenient with grading.
時間(じかん)に緩(ゆる)い人(ひと)は信頼(しんらい)されにくい。
People who are lax about time are hard to trust.
3. gentle; gradual
Not steep or sudden, as of a slope or curve.
緩(ゆる)い坂(さか)を上(のぼ)った。
I went up a gentle slope.
緩(ゆる)いカーブが続(つづ)く道(みち)を走(はし)った。
I drove along a road with gentle curves.
川(かわ)の流(なが)れが緩(ゆる)い場所(ばしょ)で釣(つ)りをした。
I fished at a spot where the river current was gentle.
4. slow; leisurely
Moving at a relaxed pace.
緩(ゆる)いテンポの音楽(おんがく)が流(なが)れている。
Music at a leisurely tempo is playing.
午後(ごご)は緩(ゆる)いペースで仕事(しごと)をした。
I worked at a slow pace in the afternoon.
緩(ゆる)い動(うご)きのヨガで体(からだ)をほぐした。
I loosened up my body with slow-moving yoga.

緩(ゆる)い is an i-adjective with several related meanings centered on the concept of not being tight or strict.

FORMS:

  • Adverbial: 緩(ゆる)く
  • Noun form: 緩(ゆる)さ (looseness, laxness)

COMMON PATTERNS:

  • ベルトが緩(ゆる)い (belt is loose)
  • 規則(きそく)が緩(ゆる)い (rules are lenient)
  • 緩(ゆる)い坂(さか) (gentle slope)
  • 緩(ゆる)い流(なが)れ (slow current)

ANTONYMS:

  • 厳(きび)しい: Strict, severe (for rules)
  • 急(きゅう): Steep, sudden (for slopes)
  • きつい: Tight (for fit)

COLLOQUIAL USAGE:
In casual speech, 緩(ゆる)い can describe a relaxed, easygoing atmosphere (ゆるい雰囲気(ふんいき)) or content that is not too serious (ゆるいコンテンツ).

Related Words

Antonym: 厳(きび)しい (strict, severe)
Related: 緩(ゆる)める (to loosen)
general
Added 2026.1.13 15:25 · Revised 2026.2.19 23:52
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