緩急(かんきゅう)

かんきゅう
noun
slow and fast; modulation; emergency
formalmusicsportsexpression
1. slow and fast; pace variation; modulation
the variation between slow and fast speeds or tempos; used in music, speech, and sports
緩急(かんきゅう)をつける。
To vary the pace.
Common collocation
演奏(えんそう)に緩急(かんきゅう)をつけることで表現(ひょうげん)が豊(ゆた)かになる。
Adding tempo variation to the performance makes the expression richer.
ピッチャーは緩急(かんきゅう)を使(つか)い分(わ)けてバッターを抑(おさ)えた。
The pitcher kept the batter in check by mixing slow and fast pitches.
緩急(かんきゅう)自在(じざい)にボールを操(あやつ)る。
To control the ball freely with varying speeds.
緩急自在 means having complete control over pace variation
2. emergency; urgent situation
a critical or pressing situation requiring immediate action (used in the expression 緩急の際)
緩急(かんきゅう)の際(さい)には連絡(れんらく)してください。
Please contact us in case of emergency.
緩急(かんきゅう)を要(よう)する事態(じたい)に備(そな)える。
To prepare for situations requiring urgent action.
緩急(かんきゅう)あれば助(たす)け合(あ)うのが仲間(なかま)だ。
True friends help each other in times of need.

Composed of 緩(かん) (slow, relaxed) + 急(きゅう) (fast, urgent). The two senses come from different readings of this contrast: variation in speed (sense 1) versus the urgent end of the spectrum (sense 2).

Common expressions

Usage by domain

  • Music: varying tempo for expressiveness
  • Baseball: mixing fast and slow pitches
  • Speech/writing: varying rhythm and pacing

Sense 1 (pace variation) is far more common in modern usage. Sense 2 (emergency) appears mainly in formal or literary expressions like 緩急(かんきゅう)の際(さい) and 緩急(かんきゅう)あれば.

general
Added 2026.1.25 14:57 · Revised 2026.9.4 21:29
08000/08122_kankyuu