ゆるめ

ゆ

る

め

Freq.FrequencyTop 20,000

Meanings

noun which may take the genitive case particle 'no', adverb

somewhat loose; slightly slack

usually written using kana alone

Describes something that is a little loose, not tight. Often used as a no-adjective or adverb. It is usually written in kana.

このネジはゆるめだ。
This screw is somewhat loose.
靴くつひもをゆるめに結むすぶ。
I tie my shoelaces loosely.

Usage patterns

ゆるめの〈物もの〉a slightly loose ~
ゆるめのズボンを買かった。
I bought a pair of slightly loose pants.
〈物もの〉をゆるめにするto make something a bit loose/slack
ベルトをゆるめにして着つけた。
I put the belt on a bit loose.
〈物もの〉をゆるめに締しめるto fasten something somewhat loosely
ネジをゆるめに締しめておいた。
I fastened the screw a bit loosely.

Kanji

緩slacken, loosen, relax
弛slacken, relax
目eye, class, look

Opposites

きつめ
きつめ describes something on the tight side, while 緩め describes something on the loose side.
締しめ
締め means tying or tightening something, while 緩め describes making or keeping something loose or slack.
固かため
緩め means loosening or slackening, the opposite of 固め's sense of tightening or hardening.

Don't confuse with

緩ゆるいN3
ゆるい is the plain i-adjective meaning 'loose' and can be conjugated (ゆるかった, ゆるくない), while 緩め is a noun/adverbial form meaning 'somewhat loose' that doesn't conjugate on its own.

Word family

緩ゆるめるN1
loosen; slacken · relax (attention, guard); let down (one's guard); ease (tension) · relax (a rule); ease (restrictions); loosen (control) · reduce (speed); slow down; ease up · make more gradual (slope)

Written forms

緩ゆるめUsage100%
Rare kanji spelling; 緩 suggests looseness but is uncommon for this word.
弛ゆるめ
Rare kanji spelling; 弛 suggests slackness but is uncommon for this word.
緩ゆる目め
Rare kanji spelling; 目 is ateji-like and not standard.

Etymology

Derived from the adjective ゆるい (loose) with the suffix め, which indicates a moderate degree or tendency. The exact historical derivation is uncertain.