Meaning
The kanji 怠 (TAI, namakeru, okotaru) primarily means laziness, idleness, negligence, and neglect. It refers to a lack of diligence or a failure to perform one's duties or responsibilities. When this kanji describes a person or action, it suggests they are not actively engaged, are slacking off, or are being careless about something important.
Its visual form provides a clear insight into its meaning. The kanji 怠 is composed of two main parts: on the left is 殆 (たい), which means 'almost,' 'peril,' or 'risk,' and on the right is 心 (こころ), meaning 'heart' or 'mind.' This combination effectively conveys the core concept: a 'heart' (心) that is only 'almost' (殆) engaged, or a mind that is at 'risk' of not fully committing. If your heart or mind is only partially present or is in a state of peril due to lack of effort, it can result in idleness or negligence. It implies a lack of full dedication or attention, resulting in duties being left undone or actions being performed with insufficient care.
The kanji 怠 has 9 strokes and is considered an advanced Joyo kanji, typically encountered at the N1 level of the JLPT.
Readings
On'yomi (音読み) — Chinese-derived readings
The primary On'yomi reading for 怠 is タイ (TAI). This reading commonly appears in more formal or compound words, often expressing abstract concepts related to idleness, slackness, or professional negligence.
- 怠惰 (taida) — This compound combines 怠 (laziness) with 惰 (idleness, inertia) to mean 'laziness' or 'idleness.' It describes a state of being inactive and unwilling to work.
- 怠慢 (taiman) — Composed of 怠 (neglect) and 慢 (pride, scorn, laxity), this word refers to 'negligence,' 'dereliction of duty,' or 'carelessness.' It's often used in contexts of professional or official duties.
- 倦怠 (kentai) — This word combines 倦 (weariness, boredom) with 怠 (languor, sluggishness) to mean 'weariness,' 'languor,' 'enervation,' or 'boredom.' It describes a state of physical or mental fatigue and lack of motivation.
Kun'yomi (訓読み) — Native Japanese readings
The kanji 怠 has two main Kun'yomi readings: なまける (namakeru) and おこたる (okotaru).
なまける (namakeru) — This is an intransitive verb meaning 'to be lazy,' 'to slack off,' or 'to neglect (one's work/duties).' It typically refers to a general state of unwillingness to exert effort.
仕事を怠ける (shigoto o namakeru) — to slack off at work
勉強を怠ける (benkyō o namakeru) — to neglect one's studies
怠け者 (namakemono) — a lazy person, idler
おこたる (okotaru) — This is a transitive verb meaning 'to neglect,' 'to be negligent about,' or 'to fail to do.' It often implies a specific duty, precaution, or action that one should have carried out but failed to. It can also mean to relax one's guard or let up on an effort.
注意を怠る (chūi o okotaru) — to neglect caution, to be careless
義務を怠る (gimu o okotaru) — to neglect one's duty
連絡を怠る (renraku o okotaru) — to fail to contact, to neglect communication
Common Words & Compounds
Below are common words and compounds using 怠, grouped by their specific nuances:
General Laziness & Idleness:
怠惰 (taida) — Laziness, idleness. Describes a habitual disinclination to work.
怠け者 (namakemono) — A lazy person, a slacker.
怠惰な人 (taida na hito) — A lazy person.
Negligence & Dereliction of Duty:
怠慢 (taiman) — Negligence, dereliction of duty, carelessness. Often used in formal or professional contexts.
職務怠慢 (shokumu taiman) — Dereliction of duty, neglect of official duties.
注意怠慢 (chūi taiman) — Negligence in attention, lack of care.
懈怠 (ketai) — Slackness, negligence, dilatoriness. A more formal synonym for 怠慢, often used in legal or administrative contexts.
Actions of Neglect:
怠る (okotaru) — To neglect, to be negligent about, or to fail to do. (e.g., 努力を怠る - to neglect one's efforts)
怠ける (namakeru) — To be lazy, to slack off. (e.g., 仕事を怠ける - to slack off at work)
States of Fatigue & Inactivity:
倦怠感 (kentaikan) — A feeling of weariness, languor, or enervation.
怠期 (taiki) — A period of idleness, inactivity, or dormancy (e.g., the 'off-season' for certain businesses or an animal's dormant phase).
怠業 (taigyō) — A slowdown strike, a work-to-rule protest. (Workers intentionally work slowly or strictly by the rules to reduce output without stopping completely).
Example Sentences
彼は試験前に勉強を怠けて後悔した。
Kare wa shiken-mae ni benkyō o namakete kōkai shita.
He regretted slacking off on his studies before the exam.
怠惰な生活は心身の健康に悪影響を与える。
Taida na seikatsu wa shinshin no kenkō ni akueikyō o ataeru.
A lazy lifestyle has a negative impact on mental and physical health.
日頃の訓練を怠ると、いざというときに力を発揮できない。
Higoro no kunren o okotaru to, iza to iu toki ni chikara o hakki dekinai.
If you neglect daily training, you won't be able to demonstrate your strength when it matters.
職務怠慢な行為は厳しく処分されます。
Shokumu taiman na kōi wa kibishiku shobun saremasu.
Acts of dereliction of duty will be severely punished.
彼は体調が悪く、倦怠感が続いていると訴えた。
Kare wa taichō ga waruku, kentaikan ga tsuzuite iru to uttaeta.
He complained that he was feeling unwell and a sense of languor was persisting.
どんなに忙しくても、食事を怠ってはいけません。
Donna ni isogashikute mo, shokuji o okotte wa ikemasen.
No matter how busy you are, you must not neglect your meals.
暑い日には水分補給を怠らないように注意してください。
Atsui hi ni wa suibun hokyū o okoranai yō ni chūi shite kudasai.
Please be careful not to neglect hydration on hot days.
彼の成績が悪化したのは、努力を怠けたせいだ。
Kare no seiseki ga akka shita no wa, doryoku o namaketa sei da.
His grades worsened because he neglected to put in effort.
社内の情報共有を怠ると、業務に支障をきたす恐れがあります。
Shanai no jōhō kyōyū o okotaru to, gyōmu ni shishō o kitasu osore ga arimasu.
Neglecting internal information sharing can lead to disruptions in business operations.
規則を守らず、責任を怠る者には厳しい措置が取られるだろう。
Kisoku o mamorazu, sekinin o okotaru mono ni wa kibishii sochi ga torareru darō.
Strict measures will likely be taken against those who fail to follow rules and neglect their responsibilities.
Memory Tip
To remember the kanji 怠, focus on its components: the left side, 殆 (almost/peril), and the right side, 心 (heart/mind). Imagine someone whose 'heart' (心) is only 'almost' (殆) in their work or studies. They're not fully committed, their attention is precarious, and they might easily give up or not put in enough effort. This lack of full engagement or a 'perilous' state of mind can lead to them being lazy, idle, or neglecting their responsibilities. If your heart is only almost there, you're prone to being idle or negligent in your duties.