Japanese word

緩む

Pronunciation

Romajiyurumu

Meaning

  • verbbecome loose

Example

結び目が緩みます。musu bi me ga yuru mi ma su

The knot becomes loose.

Illustration for 緩む (become loose)

More examples

試合が終わると、会場の緊張が少し緩みました。shi ai ga o wa ru to kai jō no kin chō ga suko shi yuru mi ma shi ta

When the game ended, the tension in the venue eased a little.

Core concept

It marks a state becoming less tight or less tense, so something no longer holds its former firmness.

Common phrases

  • 緊張が緩むkin chō ga yuru mu

    tension eases

  • 表情が緩むhyō jō ga yuru mu

    one's expression softens

  • 気が緩むki ga yuru mu

    let one's guard down

Similar words

たるむtarumu: To become slack because stretched material loses tension.
解けるtokeru: To come undone when a knot, tie, or fastening loses its hold.
和らぐyawaragu: To become less intense, severe, or tense.

Definition in Japanese

固く締まったものや張り詰めた状態が、締まりを失ってゆるい状態になる。kata ku shi ma tta mo no ya ha ri tsu me ta jō tai ga shi ma ri o ushina tte yu ru i jō tai ni na ru

Word origin

The native Japanese verb 緩む (yurumu, "become loose") uses the yuru stem also found in 緩い (yurui, "loose"), with the verb form expressing a change into that state.

Usage tips

  • In Japanese, 緊張が緩む (kinchō ga yurumu) describes tension easing, while 気が緩む (ki ga yurumu) describes a drop in alertness.

Other meanings

  • slackenverb

Opposites

  • 締まるshimarubecome tightverb

Related words

Word lists with this word