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.
悠長なことを言うな。
Don't say such easygoing things.
悠長に構えている場合ではない。
This is no time to be taking it easy.
締め切りが近いのに、彼は悠長にお茶を飲んでいる。
The deadline is approaching, but he's leisurely drinking tea.
こんな緊急事態に悠長なことは言っていられない。
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:
- 悠長なことを言う: to say easygoing things (when one shouldn't)
- 悠長に構える: to take a relaxed stance
- 悠長な態度: leisurely attitude
- 悠長にしている: to be taking one's time
USAGE:
Almost always appears in negative or critical contexts — the pattern 〜場合ではない (this is no time for...) or 〜言っていられない (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: carefree, easygoing — similar critical nuance but more colloquial