Japanese word

たるむ

Pronunciation

Romajitarumu

Meaning

  • verbsag

Example

ロープがたるみます。rō pu ga ta ru mi ma su

The rope sags.

Illustration for たるむ (sag)

More examples

洗濯物を干すと、物干し綱がたるみます。sen taku butsu o ho su to mono ho shi tsuna ga ta ru mi ma su

The clothesline sags when laundry is hung on it.

Core concept

Describes a shift from a taut or tense state to one that hangs loosely or lacks firmness.

Common phrases

  • たるんだ電線ta ru n da den sen

    sagging power line

  • たるんだ網ta ru n da ami

    slack net

  • 気がたるむki ga ta ru mu

    become lax

Similar words

たわむtawamu: To bend or curve under weight or pressure while remaining supported at both ends.
垂れ下がるtaresagaru: To hang downward from a higher point rather than staying raised or straight.
緩むyurumu: To lose tightness or tension and become loose.

Definition in Japanese

張っていた物が、力や緊張を失って弧を描くように下がる。また、気持ちや態度が引き締まらなくなる。ha tte i ta mono ga chikara ya kin chō o ushina tte ko o ega ku yō ni sa ga ru ma ta ki mo chi ya tai do ga hi ki shi ma ra na ku na ru

Word origin

たるむ (tarumu, "to sag") is a native Japanese formation related to 垂る (taru, "to hang down"); the suffix む (mu) marks a change into that state.

Usage tips

  • The verb たるむ (tarumu) applies to ropes, fabric, and cables, while English "sag" also commonly describes shelves, roofs, and ceilings.

Other meanings

  • loosenverb
  • droopverb
  • relaxverb

Opposites

  • 締まるshimarutightenverb

Related words

Word lists with this word