Japanese word

緩やか

Pronunciation

Romajiyuruyaka

Meaning

  • na-adjectivegentle

Example

この坂は緩やかです。ko no saka wa yuru ya ka de su

This slope is gentle.

Illustration for 緩やか (gentle)

More examples

川はこの辺りで、緩やかに曲がっています。kawa wa ko no ata ri de yuru ya ka ni ma ga tte i ma su

The river curves gently around here.

Core concept

Expresses a smooth, non-abrupt degree or movement, as in a slope that rises gently or a change that develops gradually.

Common phrases

  • 緩やかな流れyuru ya ka na naga re

    a gentle flow

  • 緩やかな斜面yuru ya ka na sha men

    a gentle slope

  • 緩やかに減るyuru ya ka ni he ru

    decrease gradually

Similar words

なだらかnadaraka: Describes a slope or curve with a smooth, gentle rise or fall.
緩慢kanman: Describes a process or movement that takes place slowly and lacks speed or vigor.
穏やかodayaka: Describes a condition or change that is calm, mild, and free from sudden disturbance.

Definition in Japanese

傾きや進み方が急でなく、なだらかであるさま。katamu ki ya susu mi kata ga kyū de na ku na da ra ka de a ru sa ma

Word origin

緩やか (yuruyaka, "gentle") combines 緩い (yurui, "loose or not tight") with the suffix やか (yaka, "having a certain quality"), forming a word for a gentle or gradual state.

Usage tips

  • In phrases such as 緩やかな坂 (yuruyaka na saka), the word means a gentle slope, but with growth or decline it usually means gradual rather than physically soft.

Other meanings

  • gradualna-adjective

Opposites

Related words

  • 緩やかさyuruyakasagentlenessnoun

Word lists with this word