生ぬるい・生温い|なまぬるいnamanurui[4]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
生ぬるい生ぬるい is the more common kanji-and-kana spelling and the form learners should normally choose. It covers the senses “lukewarm,” “tepid,” “half-hearted,” and “vague.”
生温い生温い is a less common kanji-and-kana spelling of the same word. You may encounter it as an alternative written form, but 生ぬるい is the better choice for learners.
Definitions
- i-adjectivelukewarm; tepid
- i-adjectivehalf-hearted; vague; weak
- i-adjectivelenient; mild; soft
Conjugation
| Plain form | 生ぬるい（なまぬるい） |
|---|---|
| Polite (desu) | 生ぬるいです（なまぬるいです） |
| Negative (kunai) | 生ぬるくない（なまぬるくない） |
| polite (ku arimasen) | 生ぬるくありません（なまぬるくありません） |
| Past (katta) | 生ぬるかった（なまぬるかった） |
| Past negative (kunakatta) | 生ぬるくなかった（なまぬるくなかった） |
| Te form (kute) | 生ぬるくて（なまぬるくて） |
| Adverbial (ku) | 生ぬるく（なまぬるく） |
| Conditional (kereba) | 生ぬるければ（なまぬるければ） |
| kattara | 生ぬるかったら（なまぬるかったら） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymぬるいNeutralMeans warm in a pleasant, comfortable way; it has a dialectal flavor and is not often used.
- Synonym生暖かいなまあたたかいNeutralLukewarm or tepid, as in 「生暖かい風」, and often with an unpleasant feel; 「生ぬるい」 also extends figuratively to half-hearted handling.
- Related暖かいあたたかいNeutralComfortably warm rather than tepid, and also warm of human feeling; it carries a positive tone.
- RelatedぬくいNeutralMeans warm in a pleasant, comfortable way; it has a dialectal flavor and is not often used.
- Antonym熱いあついNeutralScorching hot to the touch or burning with passion — the opposite of lukewarm 「生ぬるい」; for hot weather, 「暑い」 is used instead.
- Antonym冷たいつめたいNeutralIcy cold, as in 「冷たい水」, and by extension coldhearted; it sits at the opposite extreme from lukewarm 「生ぬるい」.
- Antonym徹底したNeutralA phrase meaning thorough; it is the opposite of 「生ぬるい」 when that word criticizes half-hearted handling.
Use 「生ぬるい」 for lukewarm things like 「生ぬるいビール」 or half-hearted handling like 「生ぬるい対応」. For lukewarm with an unpleasant feel, pick 「生暖かい」; for comfortable warmth, 「暖かい」. For scorching heat use 「熱い」, and for thorough handling, 「徹底した」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
