Japanese symbol for “lax”

緩やか

ゆるやか

Romaji: yuruyaka

loose; slack

In Japanese, lax is 緩やか, read ゆるやか (yuruyaka).

Before using these characters for a tattoo, check them with a native speaker. Dictionary words often have several meanings, and the right choice depends on context.

Meanings

adj-na loose; slack
adj-na gentle (slope, curve); slow (speed)
adj-na lenient; liberal; lax

Kanji and stroke order

緩

slacken, loosen, relax

on: カン
kun: ゆる.い、ゆる.やか、ゆる.む、ゆる.める

15 strokes · JLPT 1

Other Japanese words for “lax”

Word	Reading	Meaning
緩慢	かんまん kanman	lax (regulation, handling, etc.); slack; sloppy
ルーズ	ルーズ ruuzu	careless (with something, esp. time, money, promises, etc.); lax; sloppy
手ぬるい	てぬるい tenurui	lax; lenient; lukewarm
緩い	ゆるい yurui	lenient; lax
ずるずる	ずるずる zuruzuru	loose; lax; inconclusive

Related words

Words that share a kanji.

Word	Reading	Meaning
緩和	かんわ kanwa	relief; mitigation; alleviation
緩い	ゆるい yurui	loose
緩む	ゆるむ yurumu	to become loose; to slacken (e.g. rope)
緩慢	かんまん kanman	slow; sluggish; dull
緩急	かんきゅう kankyuu	high and low speed; fast and slow; pace