Translation guide
Describes a person, rule, or treatment that is not strict or severe. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various adjectives and verbs depending on whether you're talking about a person's nature, a punishment, a rule, or an attitude.
Describing a person, their attitude, or a rule that is tolerant, not harsh, and allows freedom.
Literally 'sweet', but commonly used to mean 'lenient' or 'soft' when describing a person, attitude, or judgment. Often implies being too easygoing or indulgent.
彼は生徒に甘い。
He is lenient with his students.
あの先生は採点が甘い。
That teacher is lenient in grading.
Means 'generous' or 'tolerant' in a positive sense. Used for people, attitudes, or treatment that is forgiving and broad-minded.
彼は寛大な心で私の失敗を許してくれた。
He forgave my mistake with a lenient heart.
規則を寛大に適用する。
Apply the rules leniently.
Means 'loose' or 'slack'. Can describe rules, regulations, or supervision that are not strict.
この学校は校則が緩い。
This school has lenient rules.
監督が緩いと、不正が起こりやすい。
If supervision is lenient, fraud is likely to occur.
Means 'half-hearted' or 'not thorough enough'. Implies a lack of strictness that is seen as a weakness or inadequacy.
そんな手ぬるいやり方では問題は解決しない。
Such a lenient approach won't solve the problem.
Describing a punishment, penalty, or sentence that is less severe than expected.
Literally 'light', used for punishments or sentences that are not severe.
彼は軽い罰で済んだ。
He got off with a lenient punishment.
判決は予想より軽かった。
The sentence was more lenient than expected.
A 'lenient sentence' in a legal context, literally 'warm-hearted judgment'. Used in news or formal discussion.
裁判官は被告人に温情判決を下した。
The judge gave a lenient sentence to the defendant.
To overlook or be lenient about a mistake or minor offense; to let it slide.
Describing a style of raising children or teaching that is not strict and allows freedom.
To pamper or spoil; often used when lenience is seen as overindulgence.
彼女は子供を甘やかしすぎだ。
She is too lenient with her children.
A laissez-faire or hands-off approach; often used for parenting or management that is very lenient.
甘い often carries a slightly negative nuance of being too soft or indulgent, while 寛大な is more positive, implying generosity and tolerance. Use 甘い for everyday situations like grading or discipline; use 寛大な for formal or admirable leniency.
There is no common katakana word for 'lenient'. Always use a native Japanese word or phrase depending on context.
Since it's your first time, I'll be lenient.
彼の両親は放任主義だ。
His parents are lenient (hands-off).