Translation guide
Describes something moderately warm, often with a negative nuance of being less warm than desired. Also used figuratively for lack of enthusiasm.
Describing a liquid, food, or bath that is slightly warm, often with a negative nuance of being not hot enough.
The most common word for 'lukewarm' when referring to liquids, food, or bathwater. Often carries a negative nuance of being disappointingly not hot enough.
This soup is lukewarm.
The bath has gone lukewarm.
Emphasizes the unpleasantness of being lukewarm, often used for liquids or air. Stronger negative nuance than ぬるい.
Lukewarm beer tastes bad.
Describing a reaction, attitude, or support that is half-hearted or unenthusiastic.
Used figuratively to describe half-hearted attitudes, lenient treatment, or lack of strictness. Often negative.
I was disappointed by his lukewarm attitude.
Can also be used figuratively, but less common than 生ぬるい for this meaning. Implies lack of intensity or strictness.
Literally 'without enthusiasm', a more direct way to describe a lukewarm reaction. Used in formal or written contexts.
The audience's reaction was lukewarm.
Describing air or weather that is slightly warm, often unpleasantly so.
Used for air or wind that is unpleasantly warm, often with a sense of mugginess. Common in weather descriptions.
A lukewarm wind is blowing.
Can describe air temperature, but less common than 生暖かい for weather. Often implies a disappointing lack of coolness.
ぬるい is the general term for lukewarm liquids or objects. 生ぬるい adds emphasis on unpleasantness and is often used figuratively. 生暖かい is specifically for air/weather and implies an uncomfortable warmth.
When describing a 'lukewarm reception' or 'lukewarm support', do not use ぬるい directly without context. 生ぬるい or 熱意のない are better choices.
A lukewarm response won't solve the problem.
His supervision is lukewarm (lenient).
エアコンからぬるい風が出てくる。
Lukewarm air is coming out of the air conditioner.