緩 慢(かんまん)

かんまん

na-adjective

slow, sluggish, gradual

1. slow, sluggish, gradual, unhurried

Describes movement, progress, or action that is slow and lacking speed or urgency. Can be neutral (gradual change) or negative (sluggish response).

緩慢(かんまん)な動(うご)き

slow movement

回復(かいふく)は緩慢(かんまん)だが、確実(かくじつ)に進(すす)んでいる。

Recovery is slow but steadily progressing.

対応(たいおう)の緩慢(かんまん)さが被害(ひがい)を拡大(かくだい)させた。

The slowness of the response exacerbated the damage.

Adjective type: Na-adjective. Uses な before nouns: 緩慢(かんまん)な進行(しんこう).

Noun form: 緩慢(かんまん)さ (slowness, sluggishness)

Nuance: 緩慢(かんまん) can be neutral (describing gradual, unhurried change) or negative (criticizing slow, inadequate response). Context determines the connotation.

Common collocations

緩慢(かんまん)な動(うご)き/進行(しんこう) (slow movement/progress)
緩慢(かんまん)な対応(たいおう) (slow response)
緩慢(かんまん)な変化(へんか) (gradual change)
緩慢(かんまん)さ (sluggishness)

Related words

鈍重(どんじゅう) (dull, ponderous - more negative)
ゆっくり (slowly - more neutral/casual)
遅(おそ)い (slow, late - more common)
迅速(じんそく) (swift, prompt - opposite)

Related Words

Synonym: 鈍重(どんじゅう) (more negative)

Antonym: 迅速(じんそく) (swift, prompt)

Related: ゆっくり (slowly)

Related: 遅(おそ)い (slow, late)

general

Added 2026.2.1 10:42 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01

09000/09193_kanman