Japanese word

緩める

Pronunciation

Romajiyurumeru

Meaning

  • verbloosen

Example

ベルトを緩めます。be ru to o yuru me ma su

I loosen my belt.

Illustration for 緩める (loosen)

More examples

靴ひもを少し緩めてください。kutsu hi mo o suko shi yuru me te ku da sa i

Please loosen your shoelaces a little.

Core concept

Describes easing a tight condition or limitation without necessarily removing it completely.

Common phrases

  • 気を緩めるki o yuru me ru

    let one's guard down

  • 警戒を緩めるkei kai o yuru me ru

    relax one's vigilance

  • ベルトを緩めるbe ru to o yuru me ru

    loosen a belt

  • 力を緩めるchikara o yuru me ru

    relax one's grip

  • ネクタイを緩めるne ku ta i o yuru me ru

    loosen a tie

Similar words

ほどくhodoku: To undo a knot or fastening so that it no longer holds.
弱めるyowameru: To reduce the strength, force, or effect of something.
和らげるyawarageru: To make pain, harshness, or severity less strong.
緩和するkanwasuru: To reduce the strictness or severity of a rule, condition, or restriction.

Definition in Japanese

締め付けや制限をゆるくする。shi me tsu ke ya sei gen o yu ru ku su ru

Word origin

The native verb 緩める (yurumeru) is connected with 緩い (yurui, "loose") and 緩む (yurumu, "become loose"), and its transitive form means to make something looser.

Usage tips

  • The English verb loosen often suggests that a fastening remains in place but becomes less tight, a useful distinction when 緩める (yurumeru) refers to a belt, grip, or restriction.

Other meanings

  • slackenverb
  • relaxverb

Opposites

Related words

  • 緩みyurumislacknessnoun
  • 緩めyurumelooseningnoun

Word lists with this word