Japanese word

融通

Pronunciation

Romajiyūzū

Meaning

  • nounflexibility

Example

状況に応じて融通を利かせます。jō kyō ni ō ji te yūzū o ki ka se ma su

I show flexibility according to the situation.

Illustration for 融通 (flexibility)

More examples

彼は予定の変更にも融通が利きます。kare wa yo tei no hen kō ni mo yūzū ga ki ki ma su

He is flexible even when plans change.

Core concept

Describes keeping resources or actions moving freely so that a need can be met or a situation can be handled.

Common phrases

  • 融通が利くyūzū ga ki ku

    be flexible

  • 融通を利かせるyūzū o ki ka se ru

    show flexibility

  • 融通が利かないyūzū ga ki ka na i

    be inflexible

Similar words

柔軟性jūnansei: The ability to adapt decisions or methods without being fixed to one approach.
臨機応変rinkiōhen: The quality of choosing a suitable response for each changing situation.
弾力性danryokusei: The capacity to accept changes while continuing to serve the intended purpose.

Definition in Japanese

金銭や物を貸し借りしてやりくりすること、また状況に応じて柔軟に対応すること。kin sen ya mono o ka shi ka ri shi te ya ri ku ri su ru ko to ma ta jō kyō ni ō ji te jū nan ni tai ō su ru ko to

Word origin

The Sino-Japanese compound 融通 (yūzū) combines 融 (yū, "to melt or blend") and 通 (tsū, "to pass through"), expressing the idea of things moving freely.

Usage tips

  • Although flexibility is its broader sense, the word also appears in practical discussions of cash flow when one person or organization temporarily lends money to another.

Other meanings

  • loannoun

Opposites

  • 硬直性kōchokuseirigiditynoun

Related words

  • 融通性yūzūseiflexibilitynoun

Word lists with this word