ぬるい

Alternative writings: 温い, 緩い, 微温い
JLPT:N5
Frequency:
1

Slightly warm; not hot and not cold (e.g., a tepid drink or bath).

I-AdjectiveUsually Kana

Examples

お風呂の湯がぬるくて入れない。

The bathwater is too lukewarm to get in.

ぬるいコーヒーをそのまま飲んでしまった。

I ended up drinking lukewarm coffee as it was.

夏場にぬるい飲み物はあまり飲みたくない。

I don't want to drink lukewarm drinks in summer.

2

Lenient; not strict (e.g., an attitude, rule, or response that is too mild).

I-AdjectiveUsually Kana

Examples

上司の注意がぬるくて、部下は改善しなかった。

The boss's reprimand was too lenient, so the subordinates didn't improve.

学校のルールがぬるいと問題が起きやすい。

If a school's rules are lax, problems are likely to occur.

親がぬるいと子どもがわがままになることがある。

If parents are too lenient, children may become spoiled.

Word Relationships

Synonyms
Antonym