緩い|ゆるいyurui[2]nakadaka (mid-high)

1. i-adjectiveloose
   この靴くつは少すこし緩ゆるい。↗

   These shoes are a little loose.
2. i-adjectivelenient; lax
3. i-adjectivegentle (curve, slope, etc.)
4. i-adjectiveslow; weak
5. i-adjectivesoft; not firm
6. i-adjectivedifficult; hardin the negative as ゆるくない

• SynonymぶかぶかCasualColloquial mimetic word for clothes or shoes that are too big and baggy, as in 「ぶかぶかの靴」; also for things floating in water. 「緩い」 also covers rules.
• Synonym緩やかゆるやかWrittenWritten/formal. Gentle slopes, slow change, or liberal rules, as in 「緩やかな坂」; leans literary and seldom carries the critical sense of slackness that 「緩い」 can.
• SynonymゆるゆるCasualColloquial. Means very loose, or slow and unhurried, as in 「ゆるゆるのズボン」; stronger than 「緩い」, and can also describe very lax rules.
• Synonym締まりのないしまりのないNeutralDescribes a slack, uncompact look or manner, as in 「締まりのない顔」; focuses on a sloppy appearance or attitude and carries a negative tone.
• SynonymしまらないCasualColloquial. Covers things that will not stay shut or tight, and what fails to look proper, as in 「締まらない話」; criticizes an untidy, unimpressive look.
• Relatedだらし無いだらしないNeutralStrongly negative word for slovenly, undisciplined conduct, as in 「だらしない生活」; 「緩い」 is mostly about physical tightness and how strict rules are.
• Related甘いあまいNeutralLiterally 'sweet'; by extension, not strict in judging, as in 「採点が甘い」. This matches the lenient sense of 「緩い」.
• Related柔らかいやわらかいNeutralSoft to the touch, or flexible in thinking, as in 「柔らかいパン」; about texture, while 「緩い」 is about tightness and strictness.
• Related柔らかやわらかNeutralAdjectival noun for softness and gentleness, as in 「柔らかな光」; about texture and atmosphere, with no nuance of slackness.
• Related寛容かんようWrittenWritten/formal. A positive word for tolerance and acceptance of others, as in 「寛容な態度」; 「緩い」 for lax rules suggests slackness.
• Related寛大かんだいWrittenWritten/formal. Magnanimous, generous treatment, as in 「寛大な処置」; positive, while 「緩い」 says rules themselves are not strict.
• Related軟弱なんじゃくWrittenWritten/formal. Soft ground, or a weak body and will, as in 「軟弱な地盤」; about fragility, not tightness.
• Related緩慢かんまんWrittenWritten/formal. Slow movements, or slack handling, as in 「緩慢な動作」; centers on slowness.
• RelatedソフトNeutralLoanword for soft and gentle, as in 「ソフトな口調」 or 「ソフトな対応」; mild rather than hard-line, and does not express how loose or tight a rope or screw is.
• RelatedマイルドNeutralLoanword for mild taste, effects or character, as in 「マイルドな味」; not used for looseness.
• Related手ぬるいてぬるいNeutralSaid of handling or measures that are not strict enough, or slow reactions, as in 「手ぬるい対応」; critical in tone, never for ropes or clothing.
• Related柔いやわいCasualColloquial. Soft and flimsy, or lacking strength, as in 「やわい体」; carries a fragile nuance, while 「緩い」 is about looseness.
• RelatedちょろいCasualSlang for easy or easy to deal with, also laxly managed, as in 「ちょろい相手」; dismissive in tone.
• RelatedふにゃふにゃCasualColloquial mimetic word for limp, springless softness, also for unreliable people; about feel or looks, while 「緩い」 is about tightness.
• Antonym張るはるNeutralAntonym. Verb meaning to stretch or tighten; the opposite of 「緩い」 for the tautness of ropes, skin and the like.
• Antonym厳しいきびしいNeutralAntonym. Strict rules and demands, as in 「規則が厳しい」; the opposite of 「緩い」 in how strict things are.
• AntonymいかめしいWrittenAntonym. Written/formal. Stern, imposing, or heavily guarded, as in 「厳めしい警備」; opposite of 「緩い」 in how tight security is.

Use 「緩い」 for anything loose or not tight, for rules that are not strict, and for gentle slopes. For oversized clothes say 「ぶかぶか」; for lenient marking say 「甘い」; for gentle slopes in formal prose prefer 「緩やか」. The main opposite is 「厳しい」.

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

1. 張ばり具合ぐあいや締しまり具合ぐあいが弱よわい。
2. 規則きそく・規制きせいなどが厳きびしくない。
3. 変化へんか・傾斜けいしゃなどが急きゅうでない。
4. 勢いきおいが激はげしくない。速度そくどが速はやくない。
5. 水分すいぶんが多おおくて固かたまっていない。