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.
彼は彼女をおだてて、車を貸してもらった。
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.
彼は口車に乗せられて、その契約にサインしてしまった。
He was cajoled into signing the contract.
To talk someone into something, to coax or cajole, often by being persuasive or persistent.
彼女は上司を丸め込んで、休暇を取った。
She cajoled her boss into giving her time off.
To lure or cajole with sweet words. More literary or descriptive.
彼は甘い言葉で彼女を誘って、旅行に行った。
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.
母親は泣いている子供をなだめて、薬を飲ませた。
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.
彼は彼女を優しく説得して、病院に行かせた。
He gently cajoled her into going to the hospital.
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.
子供はおもちゃを買ってと親にせがんだ。
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.
彼はうまく言いくるめて、秘密の情報を手に入れた。
He cajoled the secret information out of her.
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.
彼は友達をおだてて、引っ越しを手伝わせた。
He cajoled his friend into helping him move.
Using おだてる for flattery-based persuasion.
彼女は幼児をなだめて、野菜を食べさせた。
She cajoled the toddler into eating his vegetables.
Using なだめる for gentle coaxing.
彼は怒っている客を宥め賺して、帰ってもらった。
He cajoled the angry customer into leaving.
She cajoled him into buying her a new ring.