Translation guide
The English word 'gentle' covers a range of meanings from soft and mild to kind and careful. In Japanese, different words are used depending on whether you mean a gentle person, a gentle touch, a gentle slope, or a gentle reminder.
Describing a person who is kind, tender, and not harsh.
The most common word for a gentle, kind person. It implies tenderness and compassion.
彼はとても優しい人です。
He is a very gentle person.
彼女は優しい性格をしている。
She has a gentle personality.
Describes a gentle, mild-mannered, and calm personality. Often used for someone who is peaceable and not easily angered.
彼は温和な人柄で、誰からも好かれる。
He has a gentle disposition and is liked by everyone.
Means calm, gentle, and peaceful. Can describe a person's temperament or a quiet atmosphere.
祖父は穏やかな人です。
My grandfather is a gentle person.
Describing a physical action or sound that is light, soft, and not forceful.
Also used for gentle touch, voice, or manner. The same word as for a kind person.
赤ちゃんに優しく触れてください。
Please touch the baby gently.
彼女は優しい声で話した。
She spoke in a gentle voice.
An adverb meaning softly, gently, or quietly. Often used for careful, light actions.
Means quiet, but can be used for a gentle, soft voice or sound.
Describing a gradual incline or decline.
The standard word for a gentle slope or curve. Implies gradual, not steep.
この坂は緩やかだ。
This slope is gentle.
緩やかなカーブを曲がる。
Turn a gentle curve.
Also means gentle, smooth, and gradual. Often used for slopes and hills.
Describing something that is not strong, severe, or irritating.
Used for gentle weather, climate, or sea. Implies calm and mild.
今日は穏やかな天気です。
The weather is gentle today.
穏やかな海で泳いだ。
We swam in a gentle sea.
A loanword from English, used for mild taste, gentle soap, or mild climate.
Literally 'low irritation', used for skincare or products that are gentle on the skin.
A polite, non-forceful way of reminding or suggesting something.
Means casual, nonchalant, or subtle. Used for a gentle hint or reminder that doesn't seem pushy.
彼はさりげなく注意した。
He gave a gentle warning.
さりげないリマインダーを送った。
I sent a gentle reminder.
Literally 'lightly', used to soften a suggestion or reminder.
軽く注意しておいた。
I gave a gentle warning.
優しい (yasashii) is the most common and versatile, covering both kindness and gentleness of touch. 穏やか (odayaka) emphasizes calmness and peacefulness, often for weather or a person's temperament. 温和 (onwa) is more formal and describes a mild, gentle nature, often used in written descriptions.
彼は優しいが、穏やかではない。
He is kind, but not calm/gentle in temperament.
While 優しい can mean gentle in many contexts, it is not used for physical gradients. Use 緩やか (yuruyaka) or なだらか (nadaraka) for gentle slopes.
彼女は優しい心を持っている。
She has a gentle heart.
穏やかな風が気持ちよかった。
The gentle breeze felt nice.
彼は私をそっと押した。
He gave me a gentle push.
He gently closed the door.
そっと手を握った。
I gently held her hand.
Please speak in a gentle voice.
なだらかな丘を登った。
We climbed a gentle hill.
この石鹸は肌にマイルドです。
This soap is gentle on the skin.
マイルドな味のカレー。
A curry with a gentle flavor.
敏感肌用の低刺激な化粧水。
A gentle toner for sensitive skin.