そっと

adverb

softly; gently; quietly

Describes doing something in a careful, quiet, or light manner so as not to disturb or cause a reaction. Often used with verbs like 置く, 触れる, 撫でる, 閉める.

• 赤あかちゃんを起おこさないように、そっとドアを閉しめた。

  I closed the door softly so as not to wake the baby.

• 彼かの女じょはそっと彼かれの手てに触ふれた。

  She gently touched his hand.

adverb

stealthily; secretly

Implies doing something quietly and unnoticed, often with a nuance of secrecy or avoiding attention. Compare with こっそり, which is more strongly about hiding an action.

See also: こっそり

• 彼かれは会かい議ぎ中ちゅうにそっと部屋へやを抜ぬけ出だした。

  He stealthily slipped out of the room during the meeting.

• そっと彼かれの様よう子すをうかがった。

  I secretly watched his reaction.

noun or participle which takes 'suru'

leave alone; leave as is

Used in the pattern そっとしておく or そっとする, meaning to leave someone or something undisturbed, without interfering. Often implies a considerate or cautious restraint.

• 彼かれは今いま、一人ひとりで考かんがえたいようなので、そっとしておこう。

  He seems to want to think alone right now, so let's leave him be.

• その問もん題だいはしばらくそっとしておいたほうがいい。

  It's better to leave that issue alone for a while.