悠長(ゆうちょう)

ゆうちょう
na-adjective
leisurely; easygoing; unhurried
personality
1. leisurely; easygoing; unhurried; taking one's time
Acting in a slow, relaxed manner without urgency. Often used critically to suggest someone is being too relaxed when the situation calls for haste.
悠長(ゆうちょう)なことを言(い)うな。
Don't say such easygoing things.
悠長(ゆうちょう)に構(かま)えている場合(ばあい)ではない。
This is no time to be taking it easy.
締(し)め切(き)りが近(ちか)いのに、彼(かれ)は悠長(ゆうちょう)にお茶(ちゃ)を飲(の)んでいる。
The deadline is approaching, but he's leisurely drinking tea.
こんな緊急事態(きんきゅうじたい)に悠長(ゆうちょう)なことは言(い)っていられない。
In an emergency like this, we can't afford to say leisurely things.

Describes a relaxed, unhurried attitude or behavior. While literally neutral, this word is most often used with a critical or exasperated tone, implying that someone is being inappropriately slow or carefree given the circumstances.

Common collocations

  • 悠長(ゆうちょう)なことを言(い)う: to say easygoing things (when one shouldn't)
  • 悠長(ゆうちょう)に構(かま)える: to take a relaxed stance
  • 悠長(ゆうちょう)な態度(たいど): leisurely attitude
  • 悠長(ゆうちょう)にしている: to be taking one's time

Usage

Almost always appears in negative or critical contexts — the pattern 〜場合(ばあい)ではない (this is no time for...) or 〜言(い)っていられない (we can't afford to...) is extremely common. Rarely used as a pure compliment.

Similar words

  • のんびり: relaxed, carefree — more casual and can be positive
  • 呑気(のんき): carefree, easygoing — similar critical nuance but more colloquial

Related Words

Compare: 呑気(のんき) (carefree, easygoing)
general
Added 2026.4.1 5:14 · Revised 2026.9.2 13:02
21000/21109_yuuchou