Translation guide
How to express that something becomes loose, slack, or unfastened in Japanese. Covers physical objects, fasteners, and abstract concepts like discipline.
Describing when something that was tight or secure becomes loose, such as a screw, knot, rope, or clothing.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to become loose' or 'to slacken'. Used for screws, belts, knots, etc.
The screw became loose.
The belt is loose.
Specifically for something that sags or becomes slack due to loss of tension, like a rope or skin.
The rope is slack.
Phrase using the adjective 緩い (loose) with なる (to become). More colloquial.
These shoes have become a bit loose.
When something that was fastened, tied, or attached becomes unfastened or detached.
Intransitive verb meaning 'to come off' or 'to be disconnected'. Used for buttons, lids, parts, etc.
For knots, shoelaces, or tied things coming undone.
When something slips out or comes out of its socket, like a plug or a tooth.
Describing a situation where control, discipline, or strictness weakens.
緩む (yurumu) is for something becoming loose but still attached (screw, belt). 外れる (hazureru) is for something detaching completely (button, lid). 解ける (hodokeru) is for knots or ties coming undone.
緩い is an adjective meaning 'loose'. To say 'become loose', use 緩くなる (yuruku naru) or the verb 緩む (yurumu).
The chain came off.
靴ひもが解けた。
My shoelace came untied.
The plug came loose.
Discipline became lax.
夏休みで生活がだらけた。
My lifestyle became sloppy during summer vacation.