How to say "relax" in Japanese

• くつろぐCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'relax' as unwinding body and mind and feeling at ease, at home in comfortable surroundings. The word to reach for when 'relax' means taking it easy and being comfortable.
  この音楽おんがくを聞きいてくつろぎなさい。↗

  Listen to this music and relax.
• たるむJLPT N1approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbMeans to slacken or loosen; its 'relax' sense is about something going slack, even skin drooping and becoming flabby. Seldom the word when 'relax' means unwinding or taking it easy.
• 憩ういこうCommon
  godan verb, intransitive verbCovers 'relax' as rest and repose: pausing to rest and recover. Suits 'relax' when the emphasis is on taking a restful break rather than on easing tension.
• 落ち着くおちつくJLPT N2approx.Common
  godan verb, intransitive verbThe 'relax' sense here is calming down: composing oneself and regaining presence of mind after agitation or nervousness. Reach for it when 'relax' means becoming calm, not when it means unwinding.
  彼かれは当惑とうわくして落ち着おちつきませんでした。↗

  He felt lost and uncomfortable.
• 緩めるゆるめるJLPT N1approx.Common
  ichidan verb, transitive verbRelaxes something rather than someone: easing attention or efforts, letting down one's guard, relieving tension. Use it when you ease up on something yourself, not when you simply unwind.

Use 「くつろぐ」 for unwinding comfortably, 「憩う」 for resting, 「落ち着く」 for calming down, 「緩める」 for easing attention, effort or tension, and 「たるむ」 for something going slack rather than for unwinding.

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

• くつろぐto relax
• たるむto slacken
• 憩ういこうto rest
• 落ち着くおちつくto calm down
• 気を楽にするきをらくにするto relax
• 力を抜くちからをぬくto relax
• 楽にするらくにするto relax
• くつろげるto loose
• 安らうやすらうto rest
• 肩の力を抜くかたのちからをぬくto let the tension out of one's shoulders
• 皺を伸ばすしわをのばすto smooth out
• 崩すくずすto relax (one's pose)
• 緩めるゆるめるto relax (attention, efforts, etc.)
• のんびりto relax
• ほぐすto relieve
• 緩むゆるむto become less tense
• 解きほぐすときほぐすto relax
• 冷やすひやすto calm down