Translation guide
To persuade someone to do something by being friendly, flattering, or gently persistent. In Japanese, this is often expressed through specific verbs, set phrases, or by describing the manner of persuasion.
The core meaning: getting someone to do something by praising them, being nice, or using charm.
To flatter or butter someone up in order to get them to do something. Often used in the phrase おだてて…させる.
He cajoled her into lending him her car.
Literally 'to put someone on a verbal car', meaning to sweet-talk or cajole someone into doing something, often with a nuance of deception.
He was cajoled into signing the contract.
To talk someone into something, to coax or cajole, often by being persuasive or persistent.
She cajoled her boss into giving her time off.
To lure or cajole with sweet words. More literary or descriptive.
He cajoled her into going on a trip with sweet words.
Persuading someone by being gentle, patient, or persistent, without necessarily using flattery.
To soothe, pacify, or coax someone into doing something, often used with children or when someone is upset.
The mother cajoled her crying child into taking the medicine.
To coax or cajole by soothing and persuading. Combines なだめる (soothe) and すかす (persuade).
To gently persuade. A straightforward phrase that captures the gentle aspect of cajoling.
Getting something (information, money, etc.) from someone by persistent coaxing.
To pester or coax someone for something, often used by children asking for toys or treats.
The child cajoled his parents into buying him a toy.
To coax or beg for something, often with a sense of persistence. Similar to せがむ but can be used by adults too.
To obtain something by cleverly talking someone into it. Emphasizes the manipulative aspect.
おだてる focuses on flattery and praise to get someone to act, while なだめる is about soothing or calming someone down, often when they are reluctant or upset. Use おだてる when you are buttering someone up, and なだめる when you are gently coaxing a hesitant person.
There is no single Japanese verb that perfectly matches 'cajole' in all contexts. Using a direct translation like カジョールする is not natural. Instead, choose the expression that best fits the specific nuance: flattery, gentle persuasion, or persistent coaxing.
He cajoled his friend into helping him move.
Using おだてる for flattery-based persuasion.
She cajoled the toddler into eating his vegetables.
Using なだめる for gentle coaxing.
He cajoled the angry customer into leaving.
He gently cajoled her into going to the hospital.
She cajoled him into buying her a new ring.
He cajoled the secret information out of her.