手(て)ぬるい

てぬるい
i-adjective
too lenient; too soft; lax; halfhearted
evaluation
Conjugation
AffirmativeNegative
Present手(て)ぬるい手(て)ぬるくない
Past手(て)ぬるかった手(て)ぬるくなかった
て form手(て)ぬるくて手(て)ぬるくなくて
Adverbial手(て)ぬるく—
Conditional ば手(て)ぬるければ手(て)ぬるくなければ
Conditional たら手(て)ぬるかったら手(て)ぬるくなかったら
1. too lenient; too soft; lax; halfhearted; insufficient
Describing an action, response, or measure that is not strict or thorough enough to achieve the desired result. Implies criticism that more firmness or effort is needed.
対応(たいおう)が手(て)ぬるい。
The response is too lenient.
そんな手(て)ぬるいやり方(かた)では通用(つうよう)しない。
Such a halfhearted approach won't work.
政府(せいふ)の対策(たいさく)は手(て)ぬるいと批判(ひはん)されている。
The government's measures are being criticized as too lax.

Literally "hand-lukewarm" — from 手(て) (hand, manner of doing) + ぬるい (lukewarm). The image is of something done in a tepid, uncommitted way. Always carries a critical or disapproving tone.

Usage

Used to criticize actions, policies, punishments, or efforts that fall short. Common in political commentary, workplace criticism, and sports contexts. The kanji form 手温(てぬる)い is rarely used; hiragana or mixed writing is standard.

Common collocations

Similar words

  • 甘(あま)い — lenient, soft (broader; can be positive or negative)
  • 生(なま)ぬるい — lukewarm, wishy-washy (similar criticism but focuses on lack of commitment)
  • ぬるい — lukewarm (literal temperature; also used figuratively for lack of intensity)

Related Words

Compare: 甘(あま)い (lenient, soft (broader)
Compare: 生(なま)ぬるい (lukewarm, wishy-washy)
general
Added 2026.3.29 5:10 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:01
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