lenient
word
Definition
Someone who is lenient is not strict or harsh; they are more gentle and forgiving when enforcing rules or giving punishment.
Usage & Nuances
Mostly used for people in positions of authority (teachers, parents, judges). Opposite of 'strict'. Common collocations: 'lenient sentence', 'lenient teacher'. Avoid using it for situations (use 'easy' or 'relaxed' instead).
Spanish: indulgente - permisivoPortuguese (BR): tolerante - indulgentePortuguese (PT): tolerante - indulgenteChinese (Simplified): 宽容的 - 仁慈的Chinese (Traditional): 寬容的 - 仁慈的Hindi: सहनशील - उदारArabic: متساهل - متسامحBengali: সহনশীল - কোমল - দয়ালু (শাস্তি দেয়ার ক্ষেত্রে)Russian: снисходительный - мягкий (в применении наказаний)Japanese: 寛大な - 甘い（規則や罰に対して）Vietnamese: khoan dung - nhân hậu (khi xử phạt)Korean: 관대한 - 너그러운 (규칙 적용에 있어서)Turkish: hoşgörülü - yumuşak (ceza verirken)Urdu: نرْم دل - معاف کرنے والا (سزا دینے میں)Indonesian: lunak - toleran (dalam memberikan hukuman)
Example Sentences
The teacher was lenient with students who forgot their homework.
basic
Her parents are very lenient about her curfew.
basic
The judge gave a lenient sentence to the young thief.
basic
My boss is pretty lenient when it comes to taking days off.
natural
Don’t expect the rules to change; our principal isn't very lenient.
natural
He wishes his coach were more lenient during practice.
natural