手てぬるい

i-adjective

lax; lenient; half-hearted

Describes an attitude, measure, or response that is too soft, insufficiently strict, or lacking in rigor. Often carries a critical tone.

• 彼かれの監かん督とくは手てぬるいから、チームに緊きん張ちょう感かんがない。

  His supervision is too lax, so the team lacks a sense of urgency.

• そんな手てぬるい対たい策さくでは問もん題だいは解かい決けつしない。

  Such half-hearted measures won't solve the problem.

i-adjective

slow; sluggish; dilatory

Refers to actions or progress that are unacceptably slow or lacking in speed. Often used when criticizing someone's pace.

• 仕し事ごとが手てぬるいと、客きゃくから苦く情じょうが来くる。

  If the work is sluggish, we'll get complaints from customers.

• 彼かれの手てぬるい対たい応おうにいらいらした。

  I was irritated by his slow response.