なだらか

な

だ

ら

か

JLPTN2Freq.FrequencyTop 50,000

Meanings

1

na-adjective

gently sloping; gentle; gradual

Describes physical slopes, curves, or inclines that are mild and not steep.

この坂さかはなだらかで、自じ転てん車しゃでも

楽らく

に

登のぼ

れる

。

This slope is gentle, so you can easily climb it even on a bicycle.

なだらかな丘おかの上うえに小ちいさな家いえが建たっている。

A small house stands on top of a gently sloping hill.

2

na-adjective

smooth; gentle; slow

Used for abstract processes, growth, or manner that is steady, unhurried, and without sudden changes. Also describes a soft, gentle tone of voice.

会かい議ぎはなだらかに進すすみ、大おおきな対たい立りつはなかった。
The meeting proceeded smoothly, with no major conflicts.
彼かの女じょはなだらかな口く調ちょうで話はなし始はじめた。
She began to speak in a gentle tone of voice.

Usage patterns

なだらかな坂さかa gently sloping hill/road
この道みちはなだらかな坂さかになっている。
This road forms a gentle slope.
なだらかな曲きょく線せんa smooth, gradual curve
この山やまはなだらかな曲きょく線せんを描かいている。
This mountain traces a smooth, gradual curve.
〈数すう〉がなだらかに増ぞう加かするfor a figure to increase gradually and smoothly
人じん口こうはなだらかに増ぞう加かしている。
The population is increasing gradually.
なだらかな口く調ちょうa gentle, unhurried tone of voice
彼かれはなだらかな口く調ちょうで説せつ明めいした。
He explained it in a gentle, unhurried tone.

Related words

緩ゆるやかN1
緩やか and なだらか both describe a gentle slope or gradual change, but 緩やか often adds a nuance of looseness or leniency, while なだらか stresses smooth, uninterrupted continuity.
穏おだやかN3sense 2
穏やか describes a calm, mild manner, weather, or personality, while なだらか is used for a gentle, unhurried process or tone of speech.

Opposites

急きゅうN3sense 1
急 describes a steep slope or a sudden change, the direct opposite of the gentle, gradual slope described by なだらか.
急きゅう激げきN3sense 2
急激 describes a sudden, abrupt change, contrasting with the smooth, gradual change described by なだらか.
険けわしいN2
なだらか describes a gentle, gradual slope, the opposite of the rugged, steep terrain that 険しい describes.

Don't confuse with

滑なめらかN1
滑らか describes a smooth surface or texture, such as skin or a smoothly-running mechanism, while なだらか describes a gentle slope or a gradual, unhurried process, and the two are often confused because both are translated as 'smooth' in English.

Etymology

The word is of native Japanese origin. The exact derivation is uncertain, but it may be related to the mimetic root なだ (smooth, gentle) found in words like なだめる (to soothe).