Translation guide
The English word 'lax' describes a lack of strictness, tightness, or precision. This guide covers how to express these ideas naturally in Japanese, from rules and discipline to physical looseness.
Describing lenient enforcement, permissive attitudes, or lack of rigor.
Literally 'sweet', but commonly used to mean lenient, soft, or indulgent, especially for discipline, grading, or parenting.
あの先生は採点が甘い。
That teacher is lax in grading.
彼の親はしつけに甘い。
His parents are lax about discipline.
Means loose, slack, or not strict. Used for rules, regulations, or security that are not tightly enforced.
この会社の規則は緩い。
This company's rules are lax.
空港のセキュリティが緩すぎる。
The airport security is too lax.
Implies half-hearted or insufficiently strict measures, often with a critical tone. Less common than 甘い or 緩い.
そんな手ぬるい対策では問題は解決しない。
Such lax measures won't solve the problem.
Describing something physically slack, loose, or not firmly held.
The most common word for physical looseness: a loose screw, a slack rope, loose clothing.
このネジが緩い。
This screw is lax.
ロープが緩んでいる。
The rope is lax.
Specifically means slack or sagging, often for something that should be taut, like a rope, skin, or muscle.
たるんだロープを張り直した。
I tightened the lax rope.
Describing a lack of attention, thoroughness, or proper care.
Means irresponsible, half-hearted, or slipshod. Commonly used for work or attitude that is not taken seriously.
彼の仕事はいい加減だ。
His work is lax.
いい加減な管理が事故を招いた。
Lax management led to the accident.
Means sloppy, careless, or slipshod, often used for accounting, management, or planning.
ずさんな会計処理が問題になった。
The lax accounting practices became an issue.
Means slovenly, undisciplined, or loose in habits. Can refer to personal behavior or work ethic.
Describing an easygoing, unhurried, or informal environment.
Means relaxed, comfortable, spacious. Used for atmosphere, clothing, or pace.
ゆったりした雰囲気のカフェだ。
It's a café with a lax atmosphere.
Means carefree, leisurely, unhurried. Often positive, but can imply a lack of urgency.
彼はのんびりした性格だ。
He has a lax personality.
甘い (amai) implies leniency out of kindness or indulgence, like a soft teacher. 緩い (yurui) implies slackness or lack of tight control, like loose regulations. Use 甘い for people, 緩い for systems.
父は私に甘いが、会社の規則は緩くない。
My father is lax with me, but the company rules aren't lax.
The English loanword リラックス (rirakkusu) means 'relaxed' in the sense of being at ease, not 'lax' in the sense of being negligent or lenient. Using it for 'lax security' would be unnatural.
彼は時間にだらしない。
He is lax about time.