緩
緩·loose, slow
- On-yomi
- カン
- Kun-yomi
- ゆる(い)ゆる(む)ゆる(める)ゆる(やか)
By Nihongo PathUpdated
Stroke order
Write it in this order; the numbers mark where each stroke starts.
Common words
| Word | Reading | Meaning |
|---|---|---|
| 緩和 | かんわ | easing, relaxation (of rules) |
| 緩い | ゆるい | loose, slack |
| 緩やか | ゆるやか | gentle, gradual |
| 緩む | ゆるむ | to loosen, to slacken |
Example sentences
いすのねじが緩んでいる。
いすのねじがゆるんでいる。
The screw on the chair has come loose.
政府は入国の規制を緩和した。
せいふはにゅうこくのきせいをかんわした。
The government eased the entry restrictions.
緩やかな坂をゆっくり上った。
ゆるやかなさかをゆっくりのぼった。
We climbed the gentle slope slowly.
Similar-looking kanji
Do not confuse these on the exam.
Common mistakes
- Reading 緩和 as かんな — it is かんわ
- 緩い is slack or lenient; 遅い is slow in time. 緩やか covers gentle slopes and gradual change
Memory aid
Picture it
糸 (thread) on the left: a thread with the tension let out of it — slack.
Vocabulary using this kanji
Quick check
1 / 2Multiple choiceDifficulty 4 of 5
What does the kanji 緩 mean?