i-adjective
loose; not tight
Used for things that are not tight, not firmly fastened, or have too much slack, such as clothing, screws, knots, or belts.
このズボンは腰回りが少し緩い。
These pants are a little loose around the waist.
ねじが緩くなっている。
The screw has become loose.
i-adjective
Describes rules, standards, supervision, or attitudes that are not strict enough or are easygoing.
この学校は校則が緩い。
This school has lenient rules.
彼は時間に緩いところがある。
He tends to be lax about time.
i-adjective
Used for slopes, curves, gradients, and similar shapes or changes that are mild rather than steep or sharp.
ここから先は緩い坂が続く。
A gentle slope continues from here.
道は緩いカーブを描いて海の方へ下っていく。
The road makes a gentle curve and descends toward the sea.
i-adjective
Used when speed, flow, rhythm, force, or intensity is weak or not strong; common with currents, winds, tempo, and similar nouns.
この川は流れが緩い。
This river has a slow current.
風が緩くなってきた。
The wind has started to weaken.
i-adjective
soft; runny; not firm
Describes something whose texture or consistency is softer, looser, or less firm than expected, such as cream, dough, or stool.
このクリームは少し緩いので、もう少し泡立てよう。
This cream is a little soft, so let's whip it a bit more.
昨日からお腹の調子が悪くて、便が緩い。
My stomach has been upset since yesterday, and my stool is loose.
i-adjective
Dialectal Hokkaido and Tohoku use, especially in the negative form ゆるくない, meaning something is not easy or is tough. Outside those dialects it may simply be understood as 'not loose' or 'not lenient.'
この雪道を歩くのはゆるくない。
Walking on this snowy road is tough.