What words to express ‘casually’ in Japanese?
気楽に、気軽に、気負わずに
何気なく、さりげなく、意識しないで、それとなく
カジュアルな、ラフな、普段着
短期で、一時的に、軽く
We can distinguish five meanings of the word ‘casually’ according to the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries.
Japanese uses different expressions for each meaning.
1. in a way that shows you are calm and relaxed
the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
We can say 気楽に、気軽に、気負わずに.
2. without much care or thought; without paying attention to detail
3. showing that you do not want people to know that something is important to you
the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
We can say 何気なく、さりげなく、意識しないで、それとなく.
4. if somebody is dressed casually, they are not dressed formally
the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
We can say カジュアルな、ラフな、普段着.
5. not permanently; not regularly
the Oxford Learner’s Dictionaries
We can say 短期で、一時的に、軽く.
Advanced Tips
I’ll show some example sentences with ‘casually’ meaning of No.1.
Please check the articles of other days for other meanings.
/ I cherish my friends because the time we spend chatting casually with them is more important thing than other things.
私は友達を大切にしています。なぜなら、彼らと気兼ねなくおしゃべりする時間は何より大切なものだからです。
気兼ねなくmeans the situation where you can say anything without being worrying too much about each other’s feelings because you know each other so well.
You can say 気楽に or 気軽に in the same sense in this context.
/ We’ve got older, so the time to stay casually is over.
私たちは年を取ったので、気楽にいられる時間は終わりました。
In this sentence, 気楽に means to be without the responsibility of your family, job or anything like that.
/ He calls out girls so casually.
彼は女の子に気軽に声をかけます。
In this context, 気軽に means to act without thinking deeply.
Kotoba no Hibiki 