緩和|かんわkanwa[0]heiban (flat)

JLPT N1approx.Common
Definitions
  1. noun, suru verb, transitive verb, intransitive verbrelief; mitigation; alleviation; relaxation (of restrictions, tensions, etc.); easing; softening
    The bank rate cut is expected to relieve the severe financial squeeze that has hit industry.
Conjugation
Dictionary form緩和する(かんわする)
Polite (masu)緩和します(かんわします)
Negative (nai)緩和しない(かんわしない)
polite (masen)緩和しません(かんわしません)
classical zu / nu緩和せず・緩和せぬ(かんわせず・かんわせぬ)
Past (ta)緩和した(かんわした)
polite (mashita)緩和しました(かんわしました)
Past negative (nakatta)緩和しなかった(かんわしなかった)
polite (masen deshita)緩和しませんでした(かんわしませんでした)
Te form緩和して(かんわして)
Potential緩和できる(かんわできる)
Passive緩和される(かんわされる)
Causative緩和させる(かんわさせる)
Causative passive緩和させられる(かんわさせられる)
Conditional (ba)緩和すれば(かんわすれば)
tara緩和したら(かんわしたら)
Volitional緩和しよう(かんわしよう)
polite (mashou)緩和しましょう(かんわしましょう)
Imperative緩和しろ(かんわしろ)

Common forms generated by rule; see the senses for honorific or irregular usage.

Synonyms & antonyms
  • Synonym軽減けいげんWrittenWritten/formal prose. Means lightening a burden or tax, as in 「負担を軽減する」; it stresses reducing the amount or weight rather than easing a situation overall.
  • Synonym和らげるやわらげるNeutralTransitive verb for softening or easing something, as in 「痛みを和らげる」. Natural in both speech and writing; 「緩和」 is a Sino-Japanese noun and sounds more formal.
  • Synonym緩めるゆるめるNeutralTransitive verb meaning to loosen or relax, as in 「ベルトを緩める」 or 「規制を緩める」. Use it for physically loosening things as well as easing rules.
  • Synonym和らぐやわらぐNeutralIntransitive verb for something becoming milder, as in 「寒さが和らぐ」. It reports the change of state, while 「緩和」 names the act of easing itself.
  • Related静めるしずめるNeutralMeans to quiet or calm something, as in 「怒りを鎮める」. It leans toward quelling emotions or disturbances rather than easing conditions or restrictions.
  • Related静まるしずまるNeutralIntransitive verb for things quieting down or subsiding, as in 「騒ぎが静まる」. It describes commotion or agitation dying down.
  • Related減少げんしょうNeutralRefers to a decrease in quantity, as in 「人口減少」. It deals only with numbers falling, while 「緩和」 is about a situation or degree becoming less severe.
  • Related減るへるNeutralColloquial intransitive verb for something growing less, mainly in number or amount; for easing tensions or relaxing restrictions, 「緩和」 is the word.
  • Related治まるおさまるNeutralUsed for storms, conflicts or symptoms subsiding, as in 「痛みが治まる」. It stresses a return to calm rather than a lessening of severity.
  • Related楽にするらくにするNeutralColloquial phrase for relaxing or making someone comfortable. It applies to body and mind, not to rules or restrictions.
  • Antonym強化きょうかNeutralAntonym meaning to strengthen, as in 「規制強化」. It stands opposite 「緩和」, which loosens or eases restrictions and tensions.
  • Antonym厳格化WrittenWritten/formal prose. Means becoming stricter or tightening rules — the opposite of the relaxing that 「緩和」 describes.

Use 「緩和」 for easing tensions or relaxing restrictions, as in 「規制緩和」 and 「緊張緩和」. For lightening burdens pick 「軽減」, for easing pain 「和らげる」, for loosening 「緩める」; the opposite is 「強化」.

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

Japanese definitions
  1. 酷ひどい状況じょうきょうや厳きびしさを和やわらげること。また、和やわらぐこと。
Kanji in this word
English equivalents
See also

JLPT vocabulary levels are community estimates, not official (no official lists have been published since the 2010 revision).

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