弛
slacken, relax
Readings
On'yomi
- チ
- シ
Kun'yomi
- たる.む
- たる.める
- たゆ.む
- ゆる.む
- ゆる.み
Meaning
弛 centers on losing tension or strictness: slackening, relaxing, or letting something become loose. The idea applies to physical tightness, mental strain, or a situation that eases up.
Most common words using 弛
- 弛緩しかん
relaxation (e.g. of muscles); becoming flaccid
- 弛みたるみN1
slack; slackening; sagginess; flabbiness (skin, etc.)
- 弛むたるむN1
to slacken; to loosen; to relax; to droop (e.g. loose or flabby skin); to sag (ceiling)
- 一張一弛いっちょういっし
tension and relaxation
- 倦まず弛まずうまずたゆまず
tirelessly; perseveringly; without letting up
- 弛まないたゆまない
untiring; steady; persistent
- 弛まぬたゆまぬ
steady; sound; trustworthy
- 弛みたゆみ
relaxing; remitting; slackening
- 弛みないたゆみない
unslacking; unceasing
- 弛めるたるめる
to slacken; to loosen
- 弛張しちょう
looseness and tension
- 弛張振動しちょうしんどう
relaxation oscillation
- 弛緩出血しかんしゅっけつ
atonic hemorrhage; atonic haemorrhage
- 弛緩性麻痺しかんせいまひ
flaccid paralysis
- 筋弛緩剤きんしかんざい
muscle-relaxant drug
- 筋弛緩薬きんしかんやく
muscle relaxant
- 筋肉弛緩剤きんにくしかんざい
muscle relaxant
- 腕弛いかいだるい
tired; weary
- 軍紀弛緩ぐんきちかん
lack of (slackness in) military discipline; demoralization
Study
Etymology
弛 combines 弓 (bow) with 也, which likely contributes the sound. The idea of a bowstring being loosened or slackened fits the core meaning of relaxing or losing tension.
Meaning mnemonic
A bow 弓 beside 也: imagine the bowstring being loosened after use, so the bow relaxes and goes slack.
Reading mnemonic
For チ, picture a bowstring going slack with a soft 'chee' sound as the tension releases: chee -> チ.