緩む・弛む|ゆるむyurumu[2]nakadaka (mid-high)
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Which spelling to use
緩む緩む（ゆるむ） is the more common spelling and the recommended choice for beginners; use it for the meanings in this entry.
弛む弛む（ゆるむ） is a less common spelling variant of the same verb; recognize it, but choose 緩む（ゆるむ） when writing.
Definitions
- godan verb, intransitive verbto become loose; to slacken (e.g. rope)
- godan verb, intransitive verbto become less tense; to relax; to let one's guard down
- godan verb, intransitive verbto slacken (e.g. coldness, supervision); to become lax
- godan verb, intransitive verbto become softer (e.g. ground, facial expression); (of ice) to partially melt
- godan verb, intransitive verbto decrease (e.g. speed)
- godan verb, intransitive verb(of a market price) to go down slightly
Conjugation
| Dictionary form | 緩む（ゆるむ） |
|---|---|
| Polite (masu) | 緩みます（ゆるみます） |
| Negative (nai) | 緩まない（ゆるまない） |
| polite (masen) | 緩みません（ゆるみません） |
| classical zu / nu | 緩まず・緩まぬ（ゆるまず・ゆるまぬ） |
| Past (ta) | 緩んだ（ゆるんだ） |
| polite (mashita) | 緩みました（ゆるみました） |
| Past negative (nakatta) | 緩まなかった（ゆるまなかった） |
| polite (masen deshita) | 緩みませんでした（ゆるみませんでした） |
| Te form | 緩んで（ゆるんで） |
| Potential | 緩める（ゆるめる） |
| Passive | 緩まれる（ゆるまれる） |
| Causative | 緩ませる（ゆるませる） |
| Causative passive | 緩ませられる・緩まされる（ゆるませられる・ゆるまされる） |
| Conditional (ba) | 緩めば（ゆるめば） |
| tara | 緩んだら（ゆるんだら） |
| Volitional | 緩もう（ゆるもう） |
| polite (mashou) | 緩みましょう（ゆるみましょう） |
| Imperative | 緩め（ゆるめ） |
Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.
Transitive / intransitive pair
紐が緩む
緩む describes something becoming loose on its own (as with 紐が緩む), while 緩める indicates a deliberate action to loosen something (as in 紐を緩める).
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Synonyms & antonyms
- SynonymたるむNeutralRopes or skin going slack and sagging, also slacking off mentally, with a negative feel; 「緩む」 has a broader range.
- Synonym弛緩しかんWrittenNoun for muscles, morale or discipline going from taut to slack, as in 「規律の弛緩」; written/formal — in everyday speech say 「緩む」.
- Synonym和らぐやわらぐNeutralPain or cold easing and softening, as in 「寒さが和らぐ」; not said of ropes going slack.
- Synonym緩まるゆるまるNeutralBecoming loose or soft; close to 「緩む」 but used less often.
- Related解けるとけるNeutralKnots coming untied, misunderstandings cleared up — the stress is on coming undone; 「緩む」 stresses becoming loose.
- RelatedほぐれるNeutralTension or muscles loosening and relaxing, as in 「緊張がほぐれる」; carries a positive feel.
- RelatedだれるCasualColloquial for losing drive or dragging, as in 「試合がだれる」; carries a bored, listless feel.
- Antonym閉まるしまるNeutralAs 「閉まる」, doors, windows and shops close; as 「締まる」, things grow tight or firm, as in 「ねじが締まる」 — the opposite of 「緩む」 in tightness.
- Antonym張るはるNeutralStretching or straining taut; the opposite of 「緩む」 for the tightness of ropes and the like.
Use 「緩む」 for screws or ropes coming loose and for spirit or vigilance slackening, as in 「気が緩む」. For sagging use 「弛む」, for tension melting away 「ほぐれる」, for cold easing 「和らぐ」, for dragging 「だれる」; for tightening, 「締まる」.
Usage comparisons are AI-assisted and cross-checked by multiple models; for study reference only
Japanese definitions
Kanji in this word
See also
