Translation guide
The act of convincing someone to do or believe something. In Japanese, this concept is expressed through various verbs, nouns, and phrases depending on the context—whether it's gentle persuasion, logical argument, or forceful convincing.
To persuade someone to do something or to adopt a belief, in a general sense.
The most common noun for 'persuasion'. Often used with する to mean 'to persuade'. Implies using reasoning or explanation to convince someone.
彼を説得するのは難しかった。
It was difficult to persuade him.
説得に応じる
to yield to persuasion
To persuade someone by talking them down; to argue someone into agreement. Stronger than 説得する, implies overcoming resistance.
彼女を説き伏せて旅行に行くことにした。
I talked her into going on the trip.
To persuade persistently, often used for romantic persuasion (wooing) or coaxing someone into doing something. Can have a negative nuance of pestering.
彼は彼女を口説いてデートに誘った。
He persuaded her to go on a date.
To persuade someone gently, often by appealing to emotions or using soft words.
To persuade by explaining patiently; to reason with someone. Implies a gentle, careful approach.
子供に説き聞かせて納得させた。
I persuaded the child by reasoning with them.
To persuade by explaining thoroughly; to talk someone into understanding. Often used when the other person is hesitant or doesn't fully grasp the situation.
To persuade using logical reasoning or debate.
To defeat in an argument; to persuade by logically refuting the other person's points. Often used in debates or discussions.
彼の意見を論破した。
I refuted his opinion and persuaded him.
Formal persuasion through admonition or instruction, often used in official or disciplinary contexts.
上司が社員を説諭した。
The boss admonished and persuaded the employee.
Expressing the act of persuading someone to take a specific action.
Pattern: [person] に [action] ように説得する. Used to say 'persuade someone to do something'.
彼に来るように説得した。
I persuaded him to come.
Pattern: [person] を説得して [action] させる. Emphasizes the result of making someone do something through persuasion.
彼を説得して手伝わせた。
I persuaded him to help.
Referring to the skill or power to persuade.
Persuasive power; the ability to convince. Often used to describe a person's speech or argument.
彼の話には説得力がある。
His story is persuasive.
Persuasive lines, especially pick-up lines or sales pitches. Literally 'persuasion phrases'.
彼は口説き文句が上手だ。
He's good at persuasive talk.
説得 is neutral and common for general persuasion. 説き伏せる implies a stronger, more argumentative approach where you overcome resistance. 口説く often has a romantic or coaxing nuance and can be seen as persistent or even annoying.
説得して同意を得た。
I persuaded him and got his agreement.
反対派を説き伏せた。
I argued down the opposition.
彼女を口説いて映画に誘った。
I coaxed her into going to a movie.
彼に事情を言い含めて協力してもらった。
I persuaded him by explaining the situation and got his cooperation.