Translation guide
How to express the idea of 'going easy' on someone or something in Japanese, including being lenient, gentle, or not pushing too hard.
To treat someone gently, not be harsh, or go easy on them in terms of discipline or demands.
Literally 'to look with big eyes', meaning to overlook faults or be lenient. Common in everyday speech.
I'll go easy on you this time.
To go easy on someone by holding back one's full strength or strictness. Often used in competitive or disciplinary contexts.
He's a beginner, so go easy on him.
To be soft or lenient, literally 'to make sweet'. Often used when someone is not strict enough.
The teacher goes easy on the students.
To show mercy or leniency, a more formal expression. Literally 'to add a hand-heart'.
The judges went easy on them.
To handle something or someone carefully, without using too much force.
To moderate one's actions, not go too hard on an activity.
To do something in moderation, not overdo it. Very common advice.
Go easy on the alcohol.
To refrain from or cut back on something. More direct than 'ほどほどにする'.
Don't overdo it / take it easy. Often used when telling someone not to push themselves too hard.
Go easy on yourself.
手加減する is about adjusting your force or strictness downward, often in a skill-based or competitive setting. 大目に見る is about overlooking mistakes or being lenient in judgment, more about attitude than physical force.
I went easy on him in the tennis match.
I went easy on him for being late.
甘いものは控えてください。
Please go easy on sweets.