How to say "loose" in Japanese

• 緩いゆるいJLPT N2approx.Common
  i-adjectiveCovers loose in the physical sense — a knot, screw, lid, or grip that is not tight — and figurative senses such as loose rules or discipline. The most general everyday choice for things that are not tight.
  この靴くつは少すこし緩ゆるい。↗

  These shoes are a little loose.
• 薔薇薔薇バラバラCommon
  na-adjective, no-adjective, adverb, suru verbA mimetic word describing things scattered, disconnected, or falling apart. It corresponds to 'loose' only in the sense of loosened or coming apart, and is usually not the word you want when you simply mean something is not tight.
  詩人しじんが言葉ことばに対たいしていだく愛情あいじょうにも似にた感情かんじょうを、科学者かがくしゃは事実じじつ（たとえばらばらの事実じじつであれ）に対たいしていだく。↗

  The scientist has a love of facts, even isolated facts, similar to the poet's love of words.
• 緩やかゆるやかJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjectiveCovers loose or slack in a mild, gentle way — a loose curve, a slack pace, a slow or relaxed movement. Suggests gradualness and softness rather than something failing to hold together.
• だぶだぶJLPT N1approx.Common
  na-adjective, no-adjective, adverb (with と), suru verbSpecifically loose or baggy of clothing that hangs too big for the wearer, such as clothes worn after losing weight. Use it only for garments; for other kinds of loose, pick another word.
  だぶだぶの上着うわぎが最新さいしんの流行りゅうこうなのだ。↗

  Loose jackets are the latest fad.
• 大まかおおまかCommon
  na-adjectiveMeans loose in the sense of rough, broad, or general — as in a loose estimate, outline, or plan that is not precise. It does not describe physical looseness at all.
  警察官けいさつかんはその少女しょうじょに、いなくなった犬いぬの大おおまかな絵えを描えがくように求もとめた。↗

  The police asked the girl to make a rough sketch of her lost dog.

Use 「緩い」 for physically or figuratively slack things, 「緩やか」 for gentle looseness or slowness, 「だぶだぶ」 for baggy clothing, 「大まか」 for rough or loose estimates, and バラバラ for scattered or disconnected things.

Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only

• 緩いゆるいloose
• ばらばらscattered
• 緩やかゆるやかloose
• だぶだぶloose (of clothing)
• 大まかおおまかrough (estimate, outline, etc.)
• 大雑把おおざっぱrough (estimate, summary, etc.)
• だらしないslovenly (appearance, work, etc.)
• 散漫さんまんvague
• だぼだぼloose (of clothing)
• ふしだらloose
• 尻軽しりがるloose
• くつろげるto loose
• しまらないloose
• 緩かゆるかloose
• 無規律むきりつundisciplined
• 締まりのないしまりのないslack
• ずぼらsloppy
• 淫らみだらobscene
• だらしのないslovenly (appearance, work, etc.)
• だらしがないslovenly (appearance, work, etc.)
• ゆったりloose
• ぐさぐさloose
• たぶたぶloose
• ばさばさunkempt (hair, etc.)
• ずるずるloose
• ぐずぐずloose
• ぱらぱらcrumbly (e.g. tofu, cheese)
• 甘いあまいinsufficient