This page in your language

فارسی

العربية

Deutsch

Español

Français

日本語

한국어

Português

中文

हिन्दी

B1 adjective #4,000 most common 8 min read

軽度な

Top 4,000

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips 軽度な in 30 Seconds

Explanation 軽度な in your Level:

At the A1 level, you don't really need to use '軽度な' (keido na). Instead, you will learn the much simpler word '軽い' (karui), which means 'light.' For example, you might say 'kaban wa karui desu' (the bag is light). At this stage, Japanese learners focus on physical objects and basic feelings. If you have a small cold, you might just say 'sukoshi kaze desu' (I have a little cold). 'Keido na' is too formal and technical for basic daily greetings and survival Japanese. However, if you see it on a sign in a hospital, just remember that the first kanji (軽) is the same as in 'karui' (light), and it means something is not heavy or not serious. It is a 'Level 1' out of 3 on most scales.

At the A2 level, you start to encounter more 'na-adjectives.' You might see '軽度な' (keido na) in reading materials about health or technology. You should begin to understand that 'keido na' is a more 'grown-up' way to say 'minor' or 'mild.' While you would still use 'karui' for most things, you can start using 'keido na' when you want to be more specific about a problem. For example, 'keido na kaze' (a mild cold) sounds a bit more like a doctor's diagnosis than 'karui kaze.' At this level, focus on recognizing the word in texts and understanding that it describes the *degree* of something, not the *weight* of something. It is often used in contrast with 'juudo' (heavy degree/severe) which you might also start to see.

B1 is the level where '軽度な' (keido na) becomes an active part of your vocabulary. As an intermediate learner, you are expected to handle more formal situations, such as visiting a Japanese clinic or writing a simple report at work. You should use 'keido na' when discussing symptoms, technical issues, or environmental damage. For instance, if you are explaining a bug in a program to a colleague, saying 'keido na buggu' (a minor bug) sounds professional. You should also be comfortable with the 'na-adjective' grammar: 'keido na' + noun, or 'keido desu' at the end of a sentence. You are now moving away from subjective words like 'chotto' (a little) toward more objective words like 'keido' (mild degree).

At the B2 level, you should master the nuance between '軽度な' (keido na) and its synonyms like '些細な' (sasai na - trivial) or 'わずかな' (wazuka na - slight). You should understand that 'keido na' is used in official classifications. For example, in sociology or psychology contexts, you will hear about 'keido chiteki shougai' (mild intellectual disability). At this level, you should also be able to use the noun form '軽度' (keido) in complex sentences, such as 'shoujou wa keido ni todomatta' (the symptoms remained mild). You will use this word in business presentations to describe risks or issues that are manageable. Your usage should reflect an understanding of the formal 'Kango' (Chinese-origin) register.

For C1 learners, '軽度な' (keido na) is a standard tool for precise communication. You should be able to use it in academic writing, legal contexts, or high-level business negotiations. You will understand its usage in specific government white papers or medical journals, where 'keido' is strictly defined by numerical data (e.g., 'keido no nanchou' - mild hearing loss, defined by specific decibel levels). You should also be aware of how the word is used in social justice contexts to discuss 'invisible' disabilities. At this level, you are not just learning the word, but the entire system of classification it belongs to, including terms like 'keido-shou' (mild cases) vs 'juu-shou' (severe cases).

At the C2 level, your command of '軽度な' (keido na) is indistinguishable from a native professional. You can use it with subtle irony or within complex metaphorical structures if necessary, though it remains primarily a technical term. You understand the historical shift in how 'keido' has been used in Japanese law and medical practice over the decades. You can effortlessly switch between the formal 'keido na' and more colloquial or poetic expressions of 'mildness' depending on the audience. You are also capable of explaining the specific nuances of 'keido' to others, including its psychological impact when used in a diagnosis. You use it with perfect grammatical accuracy in the most complex sentence structures imaginable.

Practice it Examples Notes & Tips

軽度な in 30 Seconds

軽度な (keido na) means mild, minor, or slight in degree.
It is a formal 'na-adjective' used in medical and technical contexts.
It differs from 'karui' (light) by focusing on objective severity scales.
Commonly used to describe symptoms, bugs, or minor damages.

The Japanese word 軽度な (keido na) is a versatile 'na-adjective' primarily used to describe a state, condition, or degree that is 'mild,' 'minor,' or 'slight.' At its core, the word is composed of two kanji: 軽 (kei), meaning 'light' or 'unimportant,' and 度 (do), meaning 'degree,' 'extent,' or 'limit.' When combined, they literally translate to 'a light degree.' This term is essential for B1 learners because it marks the transition from basic descriptive adjectives like 軽い (karui - light) to more precise, formal, and clinical terminology. While you might use 軽い to talk about the physical weight of a suitcase, you would use 軽度な to describe a medical symptom or a technical glitch. It is a word that conveys objectivity and measurement, often implying a scale where 'moderate' (中等度 - chuutoudo) and 'severe' (重度 - juudo) also exist.

Medical Context: In medical reports or health check-ups, doctors use this to describe illnesses or injuries that are not life-threatening. For example, '軽度な風邪' (a mild cold) or '軽度な捻挫' (a minor sprain).
Technical/Professional Use: In IT or engineering, it describes minor bugs or system errors that do not halt overall functionality. '軽度な不具合' (a minor malfunction).
Social and Psychological Context: It is frequently used in discussions regarding developmental disabilities or cognitive impairments, such as '軽度知的障害' (mild intellectual disability), where it serves as a formal classification.

検査の結果、症状は軽度なものだと分かりました。(As a result of the examination, we found that the symptoms were mild.)

Understanding the nuance of 軽度な requires recognizing its place in a hierarchy of intensity. Unlike the word '些細な' (sasai na), which suggests something trivial or insignificant, 軽度な still acknowledges that a condition exists and may require attention, just at a lower intensity level. It is the language of diagnosis and official assessment. In a professional setting, using this word demonstrates a higher level of Japanese proficiency because it moves away from subjective feelings towards objective categorization.

このアプリにはいくつかの軽度なバグが残っています。(There are several minor bugs remaining in this app.)

In summary, use 軽度な when you want to sound precise, objective, and somewhat formal. It is the perfect bridge between everyday conversation and professional Japanese communication, allowing you to describe problems or conditions without sounding overly dramatic or alarmist.

Grammatically, 軽度な functions as a 'na-adjective' (形容動詞 - keiyou doushi). This means it requires the particle な when it precedes a noun and だ/です when it ends a sentence. However, it is uniquely flexible; you will frequently see it used as 軽度の (keido no) as well. The 'no' version is often preferred in strictly medical or technical noun-noun compounds, while 'na' feels more descriptive of the state itself.

Attributive Use (Modifying Nouns): Structure: [軽度な] + [Noun]. Example: 軽度な運動 (mild exercise). This is the standard way to describe a specific thing as being minor or mild.
Predicative Use (Ending Sentences): Structure: [Subject] + は + [軽度だ/です]. Example: 彼の症状は軽度です (His symptoms are mild). This states the condition of the subject clearly.
Adverbial Use: Structure: [軽度に] + [Verb]. Example: 軽度に加熱する (to heat slightly). While less common than 'sukoshi' or 'wazuka ni', this is used in technical instructions.

医者は毎日の軽度な運動を勧めた。(The doctor recommended daily mild exercise.)

When constructing sentences, it is important to remember that 軽度な implies a comparative scale. If you say something is 'keido,' you are subconsciously comparing it to 'chuutoudo' (moderate) and 'juudo' (severe). This makes it very useful for progress reports. For instance, '症状が重度から軽度になった' (The symptoms went from severe to mild) shows a clear improvement measured on a standard scale.

その事故による損害は、幸いにも軽度なものでした。(Fortunately, the damage from the accident was minor.)

In professional writing (business emails or reports), 軽度な is often paired with 'もの' (mono) to create a softer, more indirect tone: '軽度なものです' rather than just '軽度です.' This is a hallmark of polite, adult Japanese speech.

You will encounter 軽度な in several specific real-world environments in Japan. It is not a word usually shouted on a playground, but rather one discussed in consultation rooms, office meetings, and news broadcasts. Its presence signals that the speaker is being precise and professional.

At the Hospital (Byouin): This is perhaps the most common place. Nurses and doctors use it to categorize patients. You might see it on a medical chart or hear it during a diagnosis. '軽度なうつ症状' (mild depressive symptoms) is a common clinical phrase.
News and Weather Reports: When reporting on natural disasters like earthquakes or typhoons, news anchors use keido to describe the level of damage to infrastructure. '軽度な被害' (minor damage) indicates that while something happened, it's not a catastrophe.
Corporate and Technical Support: In bug reports or product recalls, companies use this word to reassure customers. '軽度なエラー' (a minor error) suggests that the product is still mostly safe or usable.

ニュース：今回の地震で、一部の建物に軽度な亀裂が見つかりました。(News: Due to this earthquake, minor cracks were found in some buildings.)

In the Japanese education system, 軽度な is also a key term in Special Needs Education (Tokubetsu Shien Kyouiku). Teachers and specialists use it to describe students who require some support but can participate in regular classes. Hearing this word in a school context usually triggers a specific set of administrative and pedagogical responses.

カスタマーサポート：システムに軽度な遅延が発生しております。(Customer Support: A minor delay is occurring in the system.)

Finally, in the beauty and skincare industry, you might see 軽度な used to describe skin irritation or concerns. '軽度な肌荒れ' (mild skin roughness/irritation) is a common phrase on product packaging, indicating that the product is formulated for minor issues rather than chronic dermatological conditions.

The most frequent mistake learners make with 軽度な is confusing it with the simple adjective 軽い (karui). While both translate to 'light' or 'mild' in English, their usage is strictly separated in Japanese. Using the wrong one can make your Japanese sound childish or logically incorrect.

Mistake 1: Physical Weight: Incorrect: 軽度なカバン (A mild degree bag). Correct: 軽いカバン (A light bag). 'Keido' is for intensity and degree, not for mass or gravity.
Mistake 2: Personality Traits: Incorrect: 彼は軽度な人だ (He is a mild-degree person). Correct: 彼は軽い人だ (He is a flippant/lighthearted person). 'Karui' can describe a person's character (often negatively, meaning superficial), but 'keido' cannot.
Mistake 3: Forgetting the Scale: Learners often use 'keido' for things that are just 'small' (chiisai) or 'a little' (sukoshi). 'Keido' should be reserved for things that are part of a measured assessment.

❌ 昨日は軽度な雨が降りました。(Yesterday, a mild-degree rain fell.)
✅ 昨日は小雨が降りました。(Yesterday, a light rain fell.)

Another mistake is using 軽度な in very casual settings. If you are telling a friend you have a slight headache, saying '軽度な頭痛があります' sounds like you are reading from a medical textbook. Instead, a simple 'ちょっと頭が痛い' (My head hurts a bit) or '軽い頭痛' is more natural. 軽度な is for when you want to sound objective or when the situation requires a formal classification.

Finally, watch out for the 'na' vs 'no' usage. While 'keido no' is common, 'keido na' is the adjective form. Using 'keido' as a standalone noun without a particle (e.g., 'keido symptoms') is a grammatical error. Always use 'keido na' or 'keido no' when modifying the next word.

To truly master 軽度な, you must understand its synonyms and how they differ in register and nuance. Depending on whether you are talking to a friend, writing a report, or describing a feeling, you might choose a different word.

軽い (Karui): The most common alternative. Use it for physical weight, casual symptoms, or lighthearted topics. 'Keido' is the formal/technical version of this.
些細な (Sasai na): Used for things that are 'trivial' or 'insignificant.' While 'keido' implies a low degree of a serious thing, 'sasai' implies the thing itself isn't worth worrying about. '些細な喧嘩' (a trivial quarrel).
わずかな (Wazuka na): Means 'slight' or 'only a little.' It is used for quantities or very small differences. 'わずかな違い' (a slight difference).
ソフトな (Sofuto na): Used for 'mild' in terms of touch, sound, or approach. 'ソフトな口調' (a mild/soft tone of voice).

Comparison:
1. 軽度な不具合 (A minor technical glitch - formal)
2. 些細なミス (A trivial mistake - focus on insignificance)
3. わずかな隙間 (A tiny gap - focus on physical space)

In a medical context, the opposite of 軽度 is 重度 (juudo). In intermediate stages, you use 中等度 (chuutoudo). Learning these as a set is highly recommended. If you want to say 'mild' in terms of flavor (like food), you should use 薄い (usui) for light taste or マイルドな (mairudo na) for coffee or curry.

When writing a thesis or a formal business report, 軽度な is almost always the better choice over 軽い because it suggests that the findings are based on a standard of measurement rather than just the author's feeling.

How Formal Is It?

Fun Fact

The kanji '度' originally depicted a hand measuring something with a tool. '軽' depicted a light chariot.

Pronunciation Guide

UK keɪ.dɒ.næ

US keɪ.doʊ.nɑ

Flat pitch accent (Heiban).

Rhymes With

Seido na (institutional) Teido na (degree-like) Meido na (Hades/Underworld - note: rare) Heido na (level/flat - note: rare) Keido (longitude) Kido (brightness) Gendo (limit) Sendo (freshness)

Common Errors

Pronouncing 'kei' as 'ki' (like key).
Lengthening the 'o' in 'do' too much (keidou).
Dropping the 'na' when modifying nouns.

Difficulty Rating

Reading 3/5

Kanji are common but require knowledge of the 'kei' and 'do' readings.

Writing 4/5

Writing 'kei' (軽) can be tricky due to the number of strokes.

Speaking 3/5

Easy to pronounce but requires knowing when to use 'na' vs 'no'.

Listening 2/5

Very clear and distinct sound in professional speech.

What to Learn Next

Prerequisites

軽い (karui) 程度 (teido) 病気 (byouki) 問題 (mondai) 少し (sukoshi)

Learn Next

重度 (juudo) 中等度 (chuutoudo) 深刻な (shinkoku na) 致命的な (chimeiteki na) 詳細な (shousai na)

Advanced

軽微 (keibi) 微弱 (bijaku) 希薄 (kihaku) 些末 (samattsu)

Grammar to Know

Na-Adjective Modification

軽度な症状 (Keido na shoujou)

Noun + No + Noun

軽度の不具合 (Keido no fuguai)

Adverbial form (~ni)

症状は軽度に進んだ (Shoujou wa keido ni susunda - Note: rare, usually 'keishou de sumu')

Comparative degrees (Keido vs Juudo)

重度ではなく軽度だ。

Nominalization with 'mono'

損害は軽度なものだった。

Examples by Level

これは軽度な風邪です。

This is a mild cold.

Simple [Noun] + [Desu] structure.

症状は軽度です。

The symptoms are mild.

Subject + Wa + Adjective + Desu.

軽度な運動をします。

I do mild exercise.

Adjective + Na + Noun.

軽度なけがをしました。

I had a minor injury.

Past tense of 'to do' (shimashita).

それは軽度な問題です。

That is a minor problem.

Demonstrative pronoun 'Sore'.

軽度な痛みがあります。

There is a mild pain.

Arimasu (existence for inanimate objects).

彼は軽度な病気です。

He has a mild illness.

Describing a person's state.

軽度な汚れがあります。

There is a minor stain.

Focus on 'Yogore' (stain/dirt).

軽度な不具合が見つかりました。

A minor bug was found.

Passive-like discovery (mitsukarimashita).

医者は軽度な食事制限を言った。

The doctor mentioned a mild diet restriction.

Direct object + O + Verb.

この地震は軽度なものでした。

This earthquake was a minor one.

Using 'mono' to nominalize.

軽度なアレルギーがあります。

I have a mild allergy.

Common medical expression.

軽度な運動は体にいいです。

Mild exercise is good for the body.

Noun phrase as a subject.

不具合は軽度だそうです。

I heard the malfunction is minor.

Sou desu (hearsay).

軽度な変化に気づきました。

I noticed a slight change.

Ni kidzukimashita (noticed).

その薬は軽度な副作用がある。

That medicine has mild side effects.

Standard 'A has B' structure.

軽度な知的障害について学ぶ。

Learn about mild intellectual disabilities.

Formal topic marker 'ni tsuite'.

今回のミスは、軽度なものと判断されました。

This mistake was judged to be a minor one.

To judge as (to handan saremashita).

軽度なうつ状態が続いています。

A state of mild depression is continuing.

Te-iru form for ongoing state.

建物には軽度な損傷が見られます。

Minor damage is seen in the building.

Miraremasu (potential/spontaneous).

軽度な認知症の兆候があります。

There are signs of mild dementia.

Choukou (signs/symptoms).

彼は軽度な火傷を負いました。

He suffered a minor burn.

Kizu/yakedo o ou (to suffer/sustain).

軽度な渋滞が発生しています。

A minor traffic jam is occurring.

Gassei shite imasu (happening).

軽度な運動不足を解消したい。

I want to resolve my mild lack of exercise.

Tai form for desire.

軽度な違反でも、厳しく対処します。

Even for minor violations, we will deal with them strictly.

Demo (even) + adverbial 'kibishiku'.

軽度な脳震盪と診断されました。

He was diagnosed with a mild concussion.

To shindan saremashita (diagnosed as).

システムの軽度な遅延が報告された。

A minor delay in the system was reported.

Noun + no + Noun (compound).

軽度な風邪をこじらせてしまった。

I made a mild cold worse.

Kojiraseru (to aggravate an illness).

軽度なパニック状態に陥った。

I fell into a state of mild panic.

Ni ochiru (to fall into a state).

軽度な環境破壊が懸念されている。

Minor environmental destruction is being concerned.

Kenen sarete iru (is being worried about).

軽度な不眠症に悩まされている。

I am troubled by mild insomnia.

Nayamasareru (passive: to be troubled by).

軽度な差別が社会問題となっている。

Minor discrimination has become a social issue.

To natte iru (has become).

軽度な認知機能の低下が見受けられる。

A mild decline in cognitive function is observed.

Miukerareru (formal observation).

軽度な規律違反が重なり、解雇となった。

Repeated minor disciplinary violations led to dismissal.

Kasanari (stacking/repeating).

法的には軽度な過失とみなされる。

Legally, it is considered minor negligence.

To minasareru (is considered/deemed).

軽度なインフレは経済に好影響を与える。

Mild inflation has a positive effect on the economy.

Eikyou o ataeru (to give/have an effect).

軽度な摩擦が両国間に生じている。

Minor friction is occurring between the two countries.

Shoujite iru (arising/occurring).

軽度な精神的苦痛に対する賠償金。

Compensation for mild mental distress.

Ni taisuru (regarding/for).

軽度な自閉症スペクトラムの特性。

Characteristics of the mild autism spectrum.

Tokusei (characteristics/traits).

軽度な調整が必要な段階である。

It is at a stage where minor adjustments are necessary.

Hitsuyou na dankai (necessary stage).

軽度な異常であっても、看過すべきではない。

Even if it is a minor abnormality, it should not be overlooked.

Kanko subeki dewa nai (should not be overlooked).

軽度な不快感が、やがて激痛へと変わった。

The mild discomfort eventually turned into intense pain.

Yagete (before long/eventually).

軽度なバブルの崩壊が、市場を冷え込ませた。

The minor bubble burst chilled the market.

Hiekomaseta (causative: made cold).

軽度な接触事故でも、警察への届け出が必要だ。

Even for a minor fender-bender, reporting to the police is required.

Todokede (notification/report).

軽度な副作用の可能性を排除できない。

The possibility of mild side effects cannot be ruled out.

Haijo dekinai (cannot exclude).

軽度な修正を施すことで、完成度が高まった。

By applying minor corrections, the level of perfection increased.

Hodokosu (to apply/perform).

軽度な違和感が、決定的な証拠となった。

A slight sense of unease became the decisive evidence.

Ketteiteki na (decisive).

軽度な外部刺激に過敏に反応する。

Reacting hypersensitively to mild external stimuli.

Kabin ni (hypersensitively).

Common Collocations

軽度な症状

軽度な不具合

軽度な運動

軽度な知的障害

軽度な損傷

軽度なエラー

軽度な違和感

軽度な認知症

軽度な肥満

軽度な修正

Common Phrases

軽度なもので済む

— To end up being minor (avoiding a worse outcome).

事故は軽度なもので済んだ。

軽度な部類に入る

— To fall into the 'mild' category.

この病気は軽度な部類に入る。

軽度な変化

— A small or subtle change.

軽度な変化を見逃さない。

軽度な段階

— The mild or early stage of something.

軽度な段階で治療する。

軽度なミス

— A minor mistake.

軽度なミスは誰にでもある。

軽度な摩擦

— Minor friction or conflict.

部署間で軽度な摩擦がある。

軽度な影響

— A slight influence or impact.

計画に軽度な影響が出る。

軽度な負担

— A light burden or load.

体に軽度な負担をかける。

軽度なレベル

— A mild level.

軽度なレベルの不満。

軽度な異常

— A minor abnormality.

検査で軽度な異常が出た。

Often Confused With

軽度な vs 軽い (karui)

Karui is for physical weight or casual feelings; Keido is for formal degrees of severity.

軽度な vs 軽率 (keisotsu)

Keisotsu means rash or thoughtless (a character flaw), not 'mild'.

軽度な vs 軽微 (keibi)

Keibi is even more formal than Keido, often used for financial or structural damage.

Idioms & Expressions

"軽度な火遊び"

— A 'mild playing with fire' (meaning a minor risky behavior or fling).

彼は軽度な火遊びのつもりだった。

Colloquial

"軽度な痛み分け"

— A minor 'pain-sharing' (meaning a compromise where both sides lose a little).

交渉は軽度な痛み分けに終わった。

Business

"軽度なジャブ"

— A minor 'jab' (meaning a small testing remark or action).

会議で軽度なジャブを打つ。

Slangy/Business

"軽度な匙加減"

— A minor 'adjustment of the spoon' (meaning a small tweak in management).

軽度な匙加減で状況が変わる。

Metaphorical

"軽度な色付け"

— A minor 'coloring' (meaning adding a slight bias or flair).

報告書に軽度な色付けをする。

Professional

"軽度なスパイス"

— A minor 'spice' (meaning a small addition to make things interesting).

生活に軽度なスパイスを加える。

Casual

"軽度なブレーキ"

— A minor 'brake' (meaning a small hesitation or restraint).

衝動買いに軽度なブレーキをかける。

Metaphorical

"軽度な毒"

— A minor 'poison' (meaning a slightly sarcastic or sharp comment).

彼の言葉には軽度な毒がある。

Literary

"軽度な影を落とす"

— To cast a minor shadow (meaning a slight negative impact).

事件が将来に軽度な影を落とす。

Formal

"軽度な穴"

— A minor 'hole' (meaning a small flaw or gap in a plan).

理論に軽度な穴がある。

Neutral

Easily Confused

軽度な vs 軽度 (keido)

Sounds like 経度 (keido - longitude).

The kanji are completely different. Longitude uses 'vertical line' kanji.

東経140度 (140 degrees east longitude).

軽度な vs 軽度 (keido)

Sounds like 輝度 (kido - brightness).

Kido is a technical term for light intensity.

画面の輝度を下げる。

軽度な vs 軽度 (keido)

Sounds like 頻度 (hindo - frequency).

Hindo is how often something happens; Keido is how intense it is.

更新の頻度が高い。

軽度な vs 軽度 (keido)

Sounds like 傾倒 (keidou - devotion).

Keidou is a verb-like noun meaning to be devoted to an idea.

仏教に傾倒する。

軽度な vs 軽度 (keido)

Sounds like 軽蔑 (keibetsu - contempt).

Keibetsu is a strong negative emotion.

彼を軽蔑している。

Sentence Patterns

[Noun]は軽度なものです。

この不具合は軽度なものです。

軽度な[Noun]に気をつける。

軽度な脱水症状に気をつける。

軽度な[Noun]と診断される。

軽度な喘息と診断される。

軽度な[Noun]を負う。

軽度な怪我を負う。

軽度な[Noun]が見受けられる。

軽度な機能低下が見受けられる。

軽度な[Noun]にとどまる。

被害は軽度なものにとどまった。

軽度な[Noun]であっても[Verb-nai]。

軽度なミスであっても見逃さない。

軽度な[Noun]が[Noun]へと転じる。

軽度な不満が暴動へと転じた。

Word Family

Nouns

軽度 (keido) - mildness/minor degree

軽症 (keishou) - mild illness

Verbs

軽減する (keigen suru) - to reduce/alleviate

軽視する (keishi suru) - to look down on/neglect

Adjectives

軽い (karui) - light

軽やかな (karoyaka na) - light/airy

中等度 (chuutoudo) - moderate

重度 (juudo) - severe

程度 (teido) - degree

尺度 (shakudo) - scale

頻度 (hindo) - frequency

How to Use It

frequency

Common in news, medicine, and business tech.

Common Mistakes

軽度な石 (Keido na ishi) → 軽い石 (Karui ishi)
You cannot use 'keido' for the physical weight of an object like a stone.
軽度な雨 (Keido na ame) → 弱い雨 / 小雨 (Yowai ame / Kosame)
Weather usually uses 'yowai' (weak) or specific terms like 'kosame,' not 'keido.'
軽度な人 (Keido na hito) → 穏やかな人 / 軽い人 (Odayaka na hito / Karui hito)
'Keido' doesn't describe personality. 'Odayaka' means mild-mannered; 'Karui' means superficial.
軽度問題 (Keido mondai) → 軽度な問題 (Keido na mondai)
As a na-adjective, it requires 'na' to connect to the noun 'mondai.'
軽度な時間 (Keido na jikan) → 短い時間 (Mijikai jikan)
'Keido' is for intensity, not duration of time.

Tips

Use 'Na' for Description

When you want to emphasize the quality of being mild, use 'keido na' followed by the noun.

Learn the Trio

Memorize Keido (Mild), Chuutoudo (Moderate), and Juudo (Severe) together as a set.

Medical Accuracy

Use 'keido' when talking to doctors to describe your symptoms objectively.

Business Reports

In reports, 'keido na fuguai' (minor malfunction) sounds more reliable than 'chotto kowareta' (a bit broken).

Social Sensitivity

When referring to disabilities, 'keido' is the standard respectful term in Japan.

News Keywords

If you hear 'keido na higai,' you know the earthquake wasn't a major disaster.

Avoid Overuse

Don't use it for every small thing; keep it for things that have a 'degree' of intensity.

Kanji Meaning

Remember 軽 (Light) + 度 (Degree) = Light Degree.

Not for Weight

Never use 'keido' to mean 'not heavy' physically. Use 'karui'.

Adult Japanese

Using 'keido' instead of 'karui' in formal settings shows you have reached an adult level of Japanese.

Memorize It

Mnemonic

Imagine a 'Light' (軽) 'Degree' (度) on a thermometer that only goes up to 10 degrees. It's 'Mild'.

Visual Association

A yellow traffic light or a small band-aid.

Word Web

Medical Technical Mild Minor Scale Na-adjective Kei (Light) Do (Degree)

Challenge

Try to find three things in your room today that have 'keido na' damage or issues.

Word Origin

Derived from Middle Chinese roots. '軽' (light) and '度' (degree/measure).

Original meaning: A light measurement or a small degree of something.

Sino-Japanese (Kango).

Cultural Context

Be careful when using 'keido' for disabilities; always use the full formal term to remain respectful.

In English, we might just say 'slight' or 'minor,' but 'mild' is the closest medical equivalent.

Medical diagnosis for 'Keido Chiteki Shougai' in Japanese media. Software patch notes for major Japanese games (e.g., Nintendo). Weather reports for 'Keido' damage after a typhoon.

Practice in Real Life

Real-World Contexts

Doctor's Visit

軽度な痛みがあります。
症状は軽度ですか？
軽度な風邪でしょう。
軽度な食事制限。

Software Engineering

軽度なバグを修正した。
不具合は軽度です。
軽度な遅延が発生中。
軽度なアップデート。

Car Accident

車に軽度な傷がついた。
軽度な接触事故。
損傷は軽度だった。
軽度なけがで済んだ。

School/Education

軽度な学習障害。
軽度なサポートが必要。
軽度な規律違反。
軽度な運動会。

Business Report

軽度なリスクがある。
軽度な修正を加えた。
軽度な影響が予想される。
軽度なトラブル。

Conversation Starters

"最近、軽度な風邪が流行っているみたいですね。"

"お使いのパソコンに、何か軽度な不具合はありますか？"

"健康のために、どんな軽度な運動をしていますか？"

"昨日の地震、私の家では軽度な揺れを感じました。"

"仕事で軽度なミスをした時、どうやってリフレッシュしますか？"

Journal Prompts

今日、自分が体験した軽度なトラブルについて書いてください。

健康管理のために、これから始めたい軽度な運動は何ですか？

最近、ニュースで見た『軽度な被害』についてどう思いましたか？

自分の性格の中で、軽度な欠点だと思うところを一つ挙げてください。

軽度な不具合があるけれど、使い続けている物について説明してください。

Frequently Asked Questions

10 questions

No. For physical weight, always use 'karui' (軽い). 'Keido' refers to the degree or intensity of a condition or state, like a 'mild' cold.

Both are common. 'Keido no' is often used in medical labels (e.g., 軽度の風邪), while 'keido na' is used more as a descriptive adjective in sentences (e.g., 軽度な症状です).

The direct opposite is 'juudo' (重度), meaning severe degree. For illness specifically, 'juushou' (重症) is also used.

No. For mild food, use 'mairudo na' (マイルドな) or 'assari shita' (あっさりした). 'Keido' sounds too clinical for food.

It is a formal, objective word. Using it makes you sound professional and precise, which is appropriate in business and medical settings.

Usually, it describes negative things like illnesses or errors. However, it can be neutral, like 'keido na undou' (mild exercise), which is a positive recommendation.

It is written as 軽 (light) and 度 (degree). 軽度.

Occasionally, to describe 'minor' damage from a storm, but usually 'keibi' (軽微) is preferred in official weather reports.

No. Use 'chiisai' (小さい) or 'kogara' (小柄). 'Keido' is never used for human size.

Not necessarily. It means it's not severe, but in a medical or technical context, even a 'keido' issue might need a fix.