Japanese word

ぬるい

Pronunciation

Romajinurui

Meaning

  • i-adjectivelukewarm

Example

このお茶はぬるいです。ko no o cha wa nu ru i de su

This tea is lukewarm.

Illustration for ぬるい (lukewarm)

More examples

この水はぬるいです。ko no mizu wa nu ru i de su

This water is lukewarm.

スープはまだぬるいです。sū pu wa ma da nu ru i de su

The soup is still lukewarm.

Core concept

Refers to something that has some warmth but lacks the heat normally expected of it.

Common phrases

  • ぬるいお茶nu ru i o cha

    lukewarm tea

  • ぬるい水nu ru i mizu

    lukewarm water

Similar words

温かいatatakai: Describes something that has enough heat to feel pleasantly warm.
生ぬるいnamanurui: Describes something with slight warmth that is weaker than expected.

Definition in Japanese

飲み物や食べ物などの温度が、熱いとはいえない程度に低い。no mi mono ya ta be mono na do no on do ga atsu i to wa i e na i tei do ni hiku i

Word origin

ぬるい (nurui) is a native Japanese adjective that continues the classical form ぬるし (nurushi), meaning lukewarm or mild.

Usage tips

  • In English, lukewarm can describe weak support or an unenthusiastic response, while Japanese ぬるい (nurui) is commonly used for temperature in simple daily conversations.

Opposites

Related words

  • ぬるさnurusalukewarmnessnoun

Word lists with this word